Mathieu makes history while claiming National Title at 62nd Australian Sabot Championships
by Richard Billett 7 Jan 06:29 GMT
27 December 2025 - 3 January 2026
The 62nd Australian Sabot Championships concluded in spectacular fashion at Airlie Beach, delivering a week of high-quality racing that highlighted the depth of junior sailing talent from across Australia. Hosted by the Whitsunday Sailing Club, the championship brought together the nation's leading young Sabot sailors to compete in challenging and varied conditions on the waters of Pioneer Bay.
Throughout the regatta, sailors were tested by fresh breezes, shifting wind angles and building seas, demanding tactical awareness, consistency and composure. Across the nine-race series, competitors demonstrated impressive boat handling and racing maturity in one of Australia's most important junior sailing events.
Emerging victorious was Alyssa Mathieu, who delivered a calm and consistent performance to secure the national title. Her ability to manage pressure and limit costly mistakes proved decisive, allowing her to steadily build a points advantage over the fleet as the championship progressed. Mathieu's victory stands as a significant achievement in her junior sailing career, not only for the success in this regatta, but also in being the first back-to-back victory since 1966, and first female to win the championship twice.
While the overall title was decided before the final day, the closing races produced some of the most exciting action of the regatta. Brisbane sailor Archer Newton dominated the final day, claiming victory in both remaining races and securing second place overall.
The championship was notable for its strong national competitiveness, with the top five sailors all representing different clubs from around Australia, which was replicated in the Eddie Gray Sabot Week for developing sailors, underlining the strength and depth of the Sabot class nationwide.
Overall Results:
62nd Australian Sabot Championships
|
Place
|
Sail No
|
Boat Name
|
Skipper
|
Club
|
Zone
|
Series Score
|
R9
|
R8
|
R7
|
R6
|
R5
|
R4
|
R3
|
R2
|
R1
|
|
1
|
7128
|
BREEZY
|
Alyssa Mathieu
|
TSC
|
NQSA
|
8.0
|
[10.0]
|
2.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
[2.0]
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
|
2
|
3841
|
MATERIAL GIRL
|
Archer Newton
|
BSS
|
SQSA
|
12.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
2.0
|
[5.0]
|
3.0
|
1.0
|
[10.0]
|
2.0
|
2.0
|
|
3
|
7129
|
VITAMIN C
|
Zachary Tait
|
TASC
|
NNSWSA
|
29.0
|
[43.0R]
|
3.0
|
5.0
|
[44.0Q]
|
5.0
|
4.0
|
5.0
|
3.0
|
4.0
|
|
4
|
7159
|
SLIMER
|
Max Ross
|
CHYC
|
NNSWSA
|
39.0
|
[19.0]
|
8.0
|
7.0
|
4.0
|
2.0
|
6.0
|
2.0
|
[27.0]
|
10.0
|
|
5
|
7089
|
HOME BREW
|
Lucia Fee
|
KBSC
|
SQSA
|
42.0
|
[13.0]
|
[11.0]
|
6.0
|
3.0
|
8.0
|
5.0
|
9.0
|
4.0
|
7.0
|
|
6
|
5620
|
LOOSE CANNON
|
Jess Wardell
|
PESC
|
TSA
|
45.0
|
[18.0]
|
6.0
|
12.0
|
6.0
|
4.0
|
3.0
|
8.0
|
6.0
|
[16.0]
|
Eddie Gray Sabot Week
|
Place
|
Sail No
|
Boat Name
|
Skipper
|
Club
|
Zone
|
Series Score
|
R6
|
R5
|
R4
|
R3
|
R2
|
R1
|
|
1
|
7158
|
UP and GO
|
Jack Barr
|
RYCT
|
TSA
|
5.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
[1.0]
|
|
2
|
7000
|
SWORDFISH
|
Rupert Andersen
|
GFS
|
SNSWSA
|
14.0
|
2.0
|
2.0
|
[6.0]
|
5.0
|
3.0
|
2.0
|
|
3
|
2609
|
STEP ASIDE
|
Ben Ross
|
CHYC
|
NNSWSA
|
18.0
|
4.0
|
6.0
|
3.0
|
2.0
|
[6.0]
|
3.0
|
|
4
|
3899
|
GET SERIOUS RIGHT MEOW
|
Alexandra Trewavis
|
MSC
|
NQSA
|
18.0
|
3.0
|
5.0
|
2.0
|
3.0
|
[7.0]
|
5.0
|
|
5
|
7070
|
CHAIN REACTION
|
Alex Steinback
|
DPSS
|
SQSA
|
18.0
|
[5.0]
|
4.0
|
4.0
|
4.0
|
2.0
|
4.0
|
Full results available here.