18ft Skiffs: Mondiale VGL to deliver Australian 18ft Skiff fleet to Europe
by Frank Quealey 12 Jun 00:30 PDT
2019 Mark Foy Trophy scene © Hartas Productions
The Australian 18 Footers League has announced that Mondiale VGL has been appointed Official Logistics Partner of the Australian 18 Footers League, providing the end-to-end transport solution that will enable Australia's leading 18ft skiff teams to compete at the 2026 Mark Foy.
International Regatta and European Championship on Lake Garda, Italy.
The partnership will see Mondiale VGL manage the complex international movement of boats, equipment and support gear from Sydney to Europe, ensuring competitors arrive ready to race for the championships, which will be contested from 30 June to 4 July.
The partnership with the League highlights the company's ability to manage high-value, time-critical projects.
"At Mondiale VGL, we are a global end-to-end, fully integrated solution, so we take the 18s from our base in Sydney all the way to Lake Garda in Italy, tracking them every step of the way to ensure the teams arrive ready to compete," said Krystel Cochico / Chris James of Mondiale VGL.
Australian 18 Footers League President Simon Nearn said the partnership provides certainty for teams competing internationally. "At a time of increasing uncertainty globally, we are excited to partner with Mondiale VGL. We have found a logistics partner that understands that in racing, you cannot be late for the start."
The Mark Foy International Trophy was introduced in 2007 by 18ft skiff legend John 'Woody' Winning and class historian John 'Steamer' Stanley to promote international competition and honour Mark Foy, who is regarded as the father of 18ft skiff sailing.
Foy himself was one of Australia's earliest international sailing competitors, taking his 22-footer Irex to England in 1898.
Leading the 8 team Australian challenge will be reigning JJ Giltinan World champions Yandoo, skippered by John Winning Jr, alongside Australian 18 Footers League's Season Point Score winners SIXT. They will be joined by crews representing some of the strongest teams in Australian skiff sailing as they compete against entrants from Germany, Italy, Denmark, Hungary and the United Kingdom.
The event has previously been staged in France, Denmark, New Zealand, the United States, Fiji, Italy and Australia, and has been won by some of the sport's most decorated sailors, including JJ Giltinan World champions Rob Greenhalgh, Seve Jarvin, John Winning, Howie Hamlin, David McDiarmid and Michael Coxon.
Should John Winning Jr claim victory in 2026, he would become the seventh JJGiltinan World champion to win the Mark Foy Trophy and, together with his father 'Woody', create another unique father-and-son achievement in international 18ft skiff racing.
Nearn said international regattas play an important role in the development and growth of the class.
"These events give our sailors the opportunity to compete at some of the world's great sailing venues, build international friendships and strengthen the global 18ft skiff community".
Australian Teams for the Mark Foy International 2026:
- Yandoo - John Winning Jr, Fang Warren, Lewis Brake
- SIXT - Jacob Marks, Alex Marinelli, Matt Doyle
- Charter (ex-Yandoo) - Ben Crafoord, Marc Chapon, Max Nearn
- Charter (ex-TKM) - Emma Rankin, Darren McKavanagh, Brandon Buyink
- Killer Coffee Co - Yvette Heritage, Jordan Girdis, Rory Cox
- Fisher & Paykel - Brett Van Munster, Logan Radford, Tom Quigley
- Charter (ex-Lazarus) - Warren Sare, Grant Rollerson, Max Herscovics
- Charter (ex-Tech2) - Luca Gambacorti, Cam Walker, Edoardo Gamba
- For regatta information visit: Circolo Vela Arco
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