The 2026 WA IOM Bunbury Classic held over 02-03 May brought together a strong fleet of 19 boats from Perth, Dunsborough and Bunbury, but much of the focus across the weekend centred on the ongoing rivalry between Sean Wallis and Glenn Dawson.
Dawson had recently gained the upper hand at the New Zealand North Island Championship at Kai Iwi Lakes, and with the two going head-to-head again in Bunbury, Wallis was clearly keen to turn the tables. What followed over two days was a tight and tactical contest played out in challenging Bunbury conditions.
Saturday’s racing at The Plug started in a manageable south-easterly of around 5–10 knots, but the conditions quickly became far more complex. The easterly began to fight the incoming westerly sea breeze, producing large shifts and at times a full rotation of the compass. The race team worked hard to keep up with multiple course changes, managing to complete 11 races in a challenging opening day.
Consistency was critical, and Wallis set the tone early, putting together a strong series of races to hold a slender one-point lead over Dawson at the end of Day 1. The stage was set for a decisive final day.
With an east-south-easterly forecast, racing moved to Sykes Park on Sunday. The breeze arrived on cue, although lighter at around 5–8 knots, and while there was enough pressure for racing, the conditions remained tricky. As the day progressed, the familiar battle between the easterly and sea breeze returned, bringing continued shifts and gradually softer conditions that demanded patience and precision.
At the front, the duel between Wallis and Dawson continued, but it was Wallis who maintained his composure across the 21-race series. Sailing his V12, he combined race wins with consistently low scores to finish on 35 nett points and secure the overall victory—reversing the result from New Zealand and reclaiming bragging rights in the process.
Dawson also showed excellent pace throughout the regatta, recording multiple race wins, but a handful of mid-fleet finishes proved costly, leaving him in second place on 44 points. With the IOM World Championship in the UK just a couple of weeks away, the event provided an ideal final hit-out as he now turns his focus to the international stage.
Edgar Vitte completed the podium in third, putting together a strong and consistent series, particularly across the second day. Just behind, Craig Taylor and Ross Bennett rounded out the top five, both delivering solid performances in what were often difficult and unpredictable conditions.
Further down the fleet, the constantly shifting breeze ensured plenty of movement on the scoreboard, with several sailors posting standout individual race results despite the challenges. The variety of conditions across the two venues rewarded those who could adapt quickly and minimise mistakes.
With 21 races completed, two contrasting race areas, and conditions that tested even the most experienced sailors, the 2026 WA IOM Bunbury Classic lived up to its reputation. In the end, it was Wallis who came out on top—settling the latest chapter in a growing rivalry with Dawson, at least for now.