The 2026 DF95 Australian Championship at Grahamstown Dam delivered a regatta of stark contrasts, ultimately culminating in a dominant performance from Nick Jerwood and a memorable Western Australian one-two finish.
With three days of racing scheduled from 26–28 March, the championship began in trying conditions, as the wind faded away it limited the opening day to just two races. Jerwood wasted no time asserting himself on the series, taking two wins from two starts to immediately establish control. Close behind, Mike Jeffreys and Gary Metcalfe kept within striking distance, ensuring the pressure remained firmly on the early leader.
Any hopes of building momentum on Day 2 were quickly dashed as an extreme weather system swept across the venue, bringing winds of up to 35 knots. Racing was initially delayed and ultimately abandoned on safety grounds, leaving the fleet to reset for a decisive final day with only two races completed in the series.
When racing resumed on the final day, conditions had moderated to a more manageable 10-15 knots, allowing the regatta to get properly underway. Two further qualifying races were completed, and Jerwood continued his flawless run, extending his record to four wins from four races and carrying a commanding lead into the finals.
From there, the Western Australian showed no signs of relenting. Sailing with consistency, Jerwood converted his perfect qualifying scoreline into a convincing overall victory, finishing with just 7 points to secure the national title. Fellow West Australian Andrew Donkin produced an equally impressive performance to claim second place, completing a strong WA one-two result, while Jeffreys’ consistent series saw him round out the podium in third.
Behind the leading trio, the Gold Fleet racing remained intense, with sailors such as Phil Page and Nick Connor featuring prominently.
Daniel Bergan took out the Silver Fleet honours, while Paul Baston led the way in the Bronze Fleet, underlining the strong participation and competitive racing across all divisions.
In the end, the 2026 championship will be remembered as much for its challenging and varied conditions as for the standout performance at the front of the fleet. Through light airs, extreme weather and a demanding finals series, Jerwood’s consistency proved untouchable, delivering a well-earned national title and leading Western Australia to a commanding presence on the podium.
L-R : Nick Jerwood (1), Andrew Donkin (2), Mike Jeffreys (3)
For full results visit https://aryanationals.com/index.php?page=result&eventid=21042