The 2026 DF65 Australian Championship, sailed at Grahamstown Dam, NSW from 22–24 March, delivered three days of competitive racing, culminating in a standout performance from Western Australia’s Nick Jerwood, who secured his third consecutive national title.
Racing got underway on Day 1 in a light and shifting south-easterly breeze, with skippers and race officials settling into the rhythm of the regatta. Despite the challenging conditions, racing progressed efficiently with minimal course adjustments and consistent heat rotations.
Day 2 brought a change in conditions, beginning with a light northerly before an easterly built through the day, increasing pressure across the course. The fleet adapted well, and by the conclusion of racing, 10 races had been completed to finalise the qualifying series and determine the Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets.
The regatta concluded with a four-race finals series, where consistency proved decisive in shaping the overall standings.
At the front of the Gold Fleet, Nick Jerwood (Wanderers RSC, WA) delivered a composed and consistent performance to take the championship with a nett score of 15 points . His victory completes an impressive hat-trick of national titles, following wins in 2024 at Austin Lakes and 2025 at Harts Mill.
Queensland sailors Andrew Gibbs and Gary Metcalfe (both Paradise RYC) rounded out the podium in second and third respectively, each putting together strong results across both the qualifying and finals series .
The Gold Fleet remained highly competitive throughout, with sailors from across the country featuring strongly. In the Silver Fleet, Scott Davis (Lake Macquarie West RSC) claimed top honours, while Bruce Benoit (Illawarra RYC) led the Bronze Fleet standings .
Grahamstown Dam once again proved a fitting venue for a national championship, providing a variety of conditions that tested the fleet across all three days of racing.
Jerwood’s continued dominance in the DF65 class sets a formidable benchmark, as the fleet now looks ahead to the 2027 Australian Championship.
Full results available - https://aryanationals.com/index.php?page=result&eventid=21041