F18 Australian Nationals & World Championships at Jervoise Bay Sailing Club - Day 3
by Shane Baker 2 Feb 08:17 GMT
27 January – 3 February 2026
By the time the fleet hit the water for Race 7, bodies were already feeling the toll. The previous day had stretched into a gruelling eight-hour marathon on the water, and there was quiet speculation dockside about what the conditions might deliver next.
Mother Nature wasted no time answering.
As has been the theme all week, the sun was relentless, blazing down in a punishing 35 degrees. Slip, slop, slap wasn't just good advice — it was survival. But the heat took a back seat once eyes turned seaward. A strong, steady easterly marched down Jervoise Bay, stacking up whitecaps close to shore and delivering a true 20 knots across the course.
Were sailors excited about pushing themselves to the edge in these conditions? Absolutely. This is a World Championship. Harnesses tightened, battens loaded, and it was very much game on.
Race 7 — Chaos, Colour and Class
Race 7 delivered everything the F18 class promises and more. From the opening beat, it was clear the fleet was in no mood to hold back, and by the time the leaders reached the top mark, the scene was nothing short of chaotic. Boats arrived in tight packs, the top mark and clearance mark became a swirling mass of carbon, spray and shouted rights, and the margins for error shrank to nothing.
For those lucky enough to be close to the action, it was pure theatre. Picture-perfect racing unfolded in a blaze of colour and contrast as the F18s showed exactly what makes the class so compelling: blistering speed, technical precision, and that unmistakable rock-star glamour that only high-performance multihulls deliver.
At the sharp end, it was a heavyweight showdown. Brett Burvill / Max Puttman, Matt Homan / Kris Bilston, and Darren Bundock / Glen Ashby traded blows lap after lap in a masterclass of aggressive but controlled sailing. When the dust settled, it was Burvill and Puttman who emerged on top, with Homan and Bilston close behind, and Bundock and Ashby completing the trio.
Race 8 — Pressure, Patience and Big Calls
Race 8 was slower to get under way, with race management keeping a watchful eye on the breeze. There was a real sense of déjà vu in the air, memories still fresh of the previous day when the easterly had faded away and left the fleet searching for pressure.
At times, the wind softened, hinting it might be losing some enthusiasm, but just enough gradient remained to keep hopes alive. Eventually, the call was made, and a fleet of more than 70 F18s stacked up on the line, all facing the same critical decision: left or right.
It was Burvill and Puttman who got it right. They sailed away from the fleet, controlling the race from the front and stamping their authority on the championship with a convincing win. Behind them, Beau Wight / Archie Gargett delivered a standout performance, securing a well-earned second place, while Matt Homan / Kris Bilston once again proved their consistency, rounding out the podium in third.
The Championship Tightens
As the boats returned to shore and the fleet debriefed in the fading heat, the scoreboard told a compelling story. With racing complete for the day, Brett Burvill / Max Puttman and Matt Homan / Kris Bilston are locked together at the top of the standings on 15 points apiece. Darren Bundock / Glen Ashby remain firmly in the hunt on 22 points.
With conditions like these and racing of this intensity, nothing is settled. The championship remains wide open, and one question hangs over the fleet heading into the next phase of the regatta:
Are Bundock and Ashby still in touch?
If today was any indication, this World Championship is far from decided.
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