Please select your home edition
Edition
Musto 2023 HPX LEADERBOARD

56th Fireball Australian Championships - Runners and Riders

by Chris Payne 22 Feb 2023 08:45 GMT 10-13 March 2023

This year marks one of the most open Australian Championships we have seen in the modern era. With sailors joining us from their Olympic campaigns and hot shot UK sailors flying in, the fleet is looking very hot!

Current Australian Champion Jalina Thompson-Kambas / Nathan Stockley will go in to the championships as favourites. They have bought a new boat as part of their campaign for the 2024 Worlds in Geelong (2024.fireballworlds.com) and look strong across the wind ranges.

Luke Stephens / Ryan Kelly have dominated the South Australian scene this year. Luke is a past Sharpie National Champion and although this is their first Australian Championship they have been sailing Fireballs for three years and have proved to be very competitive.

Four times Australian Champion John Heywood's usual crew isn't available but has scored a great replacement with Daniel George. The expectations is that they will be on the pace and consistent through the series.

Heather Macfarlane / Chris Payne fresh from a 3rd place in the 2022 World Championship have been seen out training in their boat. Watch out for these two if the winds moderate.

Sophie Jackson / Angus Higgins have been travelling the world chasing the Olympic dream. With a very close 2nd at the 470 Australian Championships they will be coming in hot and could upset the traditional class stalwarts.

Steve Goacher loved sailing a Fireball in Adelaide so much that he is flying out from the UK just for the nationals. Steve has had many successes in the Fireball class, with most recently winning a heat in the 2022 worlds. He will be teaming up with Gosford local Glenn Stewart.

Ben Schulz has teamed up with 420 national champion Carter Baker. Ben just missed on winning last year and is probably the best Australian Fireball sailor to never win the nationals (so far). Their crew weight is a little low but they certainly have the skills to take it all the way.

The regatta starts on Friday March 10th and it is still not too late to enter to see how you go against some of these champions.

Ronstan is sponsoring the regatta, and continuing their involvement through to the Worlds in Geelong in February 2024, demonstrating their industry role as everyone's sailing companion. Coopers Brewery as regatta sponsor will ensure participants and volunteers are well hydrated and make sure the fun is not just on the water.

More information at www.fireball-international.com/upcoming-events/upcoming-events/2023/03/2022-23-australian-nationals

Related Articles

P&B Zhik Fireball Nationals overall
One big wind race on the final day Day 4 of the P&B Zhik Nationals. With the first two positions already decided, Tom and Shandy, and Vyv and DJ had already packed up their boats by the time the remaining 15 or so hardy souls decided to venture out for one last race. Posted on 31 May
P&B Zhik Fireball Nationals day 2
A day from the sublime to the ridiculous and back again The fleet was all planning for war at sea, but by the time we were going down the first run of race 3, we were frantically pulling out the fast pins. Race 3 was won by the championship leaders, Tom Gillard and Andy Thompson. Posted on 26 May
P&B Zhik Fireball Nationals day 1
36 boats in Looe, fuelled by the biggest Cornish pasty ever baked Thirty-six boats entered and were ready to go. Back in Looe, we were greeted by an extremely welcoming shore team and an intimate dinghy park. Fuelled by the biggest Cornish pasty ever baked, we reached down to the starting area. Posted on 25 May
Fireball Worlds coming to English Riviera in 2026
Royal Torbay YC are pleased to host The Royal Torbay Yacht Club are pleased to announce that the Fireball World Championship will be held in Torquay in July 2026. Posted on 24 May
Enter now for Chichester Harbour Race Week
Last year nearly 600 competitors in 383 boats attended Book your place at the biggest dinghy and keelboat regatta in the UK! With the website open, you can now reserve your place in this year's 'must attend' event. Starting on Monday 11th August, ending on 15th. Posted on 24 May
Final call for event delivery to Looe
The P&B and Zhik Fireball Nationals takes place this weekend The P&B and Zhik Fireball Nationals take place at Looe Sailing Club this weekend, the fleet's looking strong, as are the conditions! If you need an order taking we can arrange that for you. Posted on 22 May
Fireball National Championship runners and riders
The conditions are looking great for some vigorous sailing this weekend It's an early nationals this year, back in the popular venue of Looe in Cornwall. The conditions are looking great for some vigorous sailing, not so good for chillin' on the beach but thems the breaks! Posted on 21 May
Fireball Leinsters at Blessington
Thirteen boats travel more in hope than expectation Thirteen boats had travelled to Blessington last weekend more in hope than expectation given the forecast for very little if any wind over the two days. Posted on 12 May
Fireball Youth Take Flight at Lake Bullen Merri
For the first-ever Fireball Australian Youth Championship The Fireball class continues to inspire the next generation of sailors, with the first-ever Fireball Australian Youth Championship delivering a spectacular debut over three days at Lake Bullen Merri, Victoria. Posted on 28 Apr
Fireball Nationals Early Bird Entry about to close
Save money by entering by 21st April To take advantage of the early bird entry fee of £270, your entry fee needs to be paid by 23:59 on 21st April (this coming Monday!). Posted on 17 Apr