2026 Australian Women's Match Racing Championship teams confirmed
by Fremantle Sailing Club 11 Aug 15:47 PDT
10-13 September 2026
Isabella Holdsworth RPAYC © Fremantle Sailing Club
The field is now set for the 2026 Australian Women's Match Racing Championship, with six teams confirmed following the close of Requests for Invitation.
Australia's leading female match racing sailors will converge on Fremantle Sailing Club from 10-13 September to contest the national title in Elliott 7s on the waters off Fremantle.
The confirmed fleet features an exciting mix of established match racers, returning competitors and emerging talent, led by:
- Chelsea Williams (Cruising Yacht Club of Australia) - Ranked 23rd in the world, Chelsea steps up to helm her own team after competing as crew in last year's championship. Her recent achievements include victories at both the John Messenger Women's Match Racing Regatta and the Youth Match Racing World Championship.
- Heidi Ferguson (Cruising Yacht Club of Australia) - Currently ranked 27th in the World Sailing Women's Match Racing Rankings, Heidi returns after skippering her team to third place at the 2025 Australian Women's Match Racing Championship.
- Isabella Holdsworth (Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club) - Ranked 41st in the world, Isabella has built an impressive résumé across New South Wales women's match racing events and has been selected to compete in both the 2025 and 2026 World Youth Match Racing Championships.
- Kirstin Norris (South of Perth Yacht Club) - Ranked 49th in the world, Kirstin returns after skippering her team to fourth place in last year's championship and will again be looking to challenge for the national title.
- Mia Lovelady (Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club) - Ranked 65th in the world, Mia is one of Western Australia's most promising young match racers and returns after finishing fifth at the 2025 Australian Women's Match Racing Championship. She has also recorded strong performances at the Hardy Cup, JESS Match Cup, Warren Jones International Youth Match Racing Regatta and HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Regatta.
- Sophie Jackson (Fremantle Sailing Club) - Returning to home waters after being part of Nia Jerwood's championship-winning Fremantle crew in 2025. Sophie is also a 470 National Champion and is currently training towards qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games.
Racing will take place on the waters off Fremantle across three days, showcasing the close, tactical nature of match racing, with excellent viewing available from Fremantle Sailing Club and the surrounding foreshore.
The Australian Women's Match Racing Championship is proudly hosted by Fremantle Sailing Club with the support of the City of Fremantle.
For more information visit fremantlesailingclub.com.au/awmatchracing2026