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As the regatta kicks off, light winds are forecast for the early part of the event, but with conditions remaining unpredictable, anything could happen on the water. With the sailors navigating through these variable conditions, it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top. One thing’s for sure: this is the place to be for all fans of radio sailing, and the competition is guaranteed to be fierce.

Here’s the schedule for the event:

A Class: 12-14 February
IOM Class: 15-18 February
Marblehead Class: 19-21 February
Ten Rater Class: 22-24 February

The event has been made possible by the tireless efforts of the Tasmanian Radio Yachting Council (TRYC), Risdon Brook Radio Yacht Club (RBRYC), and Montrose Bay Yacht Club (MBYC), who have worked hard to create the perfect venue for an exciting and competitive regatta. From the beautiful views of Montrose Bay to the unpredictable winds that will test the skill and strategy of each competitor, the stage is set for a truly unforgettable set of championships.

As the event unfolds from mid next week, we’ll be treated to thrilling battles for the podium, with skilled sailors pushing themselves to the limit. With so much talent on display, it’s anyone’s game, and the competition is sure to be fierce. 

First fleet is the A Class

In the A Class, the locals truly have it covered, with eight out of the nine competitors hailing from Tasmania. This is mainly because the boats are extremely difficult to travel with, making it more practical for Tasmanians to compete at home. The local sailors have built a number of new boats recently, and these will be showcased at the event.

Past champion Lisa Blackwood, who won the 2022 & 2023 events, will surely be one of the favorites. But don’t expect it to be a walk in the park for Lisa, as any one of the talented sailors in the fleet is more than capable of reaching the podium. The A Class competition is sure to be thrilling, with plenty of local talent vying for the top spots!

The Marblehead Class – A Thrilling Showdown

The Marblehead Class will boast the second-largest fleet at the championship, with an impressive nineteen boats entered. This class is shaping up to be a battle of the best, with several Ten Rater sailors also competing, including Scott Condie and Andrew Reid, both sailing their Brad Gibson-designed Grunge boats.

Queensland’s Greg Torpy will also be in the mix, racing his own Grunge, adding even more fuel to what promises to be an intense competition. With sailors from Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and ACT, this class is set to deliver some truly exciting racing. You won’t want to miss this one – it’s bound to be awesome!

The Ten Rater Class – Battle of the Trances

In the Ten Rater class, it looks like it’s shaping up to be a battle of the Trances, and our bet is on Scott Condie to claim another title, sailing the “race horse of radio sailing.” Scott’s proven track record and consistent performance make him a formidable contender. But don’t count out past champion Andrew Reid from Victoria – he’s already proven he can pull off a win and will be gunning for another title. Pictured right (Andrew Reid (left) & Scott Condie).

The competition will also feature sailors from Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, and Tasmania, ensuring a fiercely contested regatta. With such a talented fleet, this class is bound to deliver some exciting racing!

The IOM Class - First Class!

The IOM Class will feature the largest fleet of the championship, with an expected lineup of around 40 boats. This premier class will showcase some of the closest and most competitive racing, where every race counts and the battle for the podium will be fiercely contested. With such a deep talent pool, predicting a winner is nearly impossible—expect tight finishes, intense rivalries, and plenty of thrilling moments on the water.

Here is a snapshot of who’s hot and who’s not in the IOM fleet

Paul Jones AUS48:
Jonesy won the event at Montrose Bay in 2018, and since then, he’s been the bridesmaid at every event, with the exception of 2022, where he finished 3rd. This year, he’s back to take the title, and the big question is – will he be sailing his Croatian Gallion, the Viss, or will he opt for the Venti? Whatever he chooses, you can bet he’ll make things interesting.
Ed's thoughts - He's hot, but maybe yet again another bridesmaid.

Greg Torpy AUS125:
Last year, Torps led the pack in Adelaide before losing steam at the final stretch, finishing a very respectable third. The question is: can he hold it together for four days this time and turn his near-miss into a victory? With his ability to hold the lead early, Torps is definitely one to watch!
Ed's thoughts - He'll be up there pressing for the title, but leaving the V12 at home may be costly (maybe not). Finishing on the podium will be an achievement.

Sean Wallis AUS71:
4-time Australian Champion, and now he’s eyeing that fifth title! Sean is a veteran of the sport, and there’s no doubt he’s looking to add another trophy to his already impressive collection.
Ed's thoughts - The pressure is on to add a fifth consecutive title, but anything is possible and he has a good chance.

Alex Scapens AUS106:
This young gun from Adelaide is quickly making a name for himself. With a solid 4th place finish last year and a world championship race win under his belt, Alex is poised to take his performance to the next level. He’s got the speed and the confidence, but can he make the leap from contender to champion?
Ed’s thoughts – The young gun is spending too much time travelling the world and isn’t getting enough time on the water to challenge the best in the class. He’ll have a crack but a podium might be doubtful.

Doug Allen AUS72:
Known as the Mr. Social of the fleet, Doug is also known for sailing well above expectations. After a stellar finish at the Worlds, Doug has everyone wondering – can the Filipino Stallion carry his newfound form into this championship? His mix of charisma and skill could very well take him all the way to the top.
Ed's thoughts – Yah gotta be kidding me!

Garth Halton AUS40:
The man who’s back after a few years’ break, and he’s returned with a vengeance. Sporting a V12, Garth is carving up the water at speeds that could put many to shame. The real question is – can he keep up his blistering pace for the full duration of the event? Four days of racing is a long stretch, but Garth’s eyes are set on the prize. Can he prove that his return to IOM sailing is more than just a flash in the pan?
Ed’s thoughts – Could be as much as a flash in the pan, focus for 4 days will be challenging

Glenn Dawson AUS76:
Dawso is one of those sailors who always starts strong and shows he has the speed and skill to win a title. He’s been a contender in previous years, looking like he has the goods to claim victory, but he tends to falter midway through the regatta. The real question this time is: can Glenn hold it together for the full four days and finally pull off the win? With his early pace and proven talent, he’s certainly one to watch – if he can stay consistent, he might just break through for the win this time!
Ed's thoughts – Rank outsider, if things go his way a podium is very possible

Now, let’s talk about the homegrown heroes of Hobart: Mat Gray, Lisa Blackwood, and Michael Hickman. These local sailors may not have ventured far beyond Hobart for IOM racing in the past five years, but don’t let that fool you – they’ve still been keeping their skills sharp and their boats fast.

Mat Gray:
With a strong background in the DF classes, Mat brings a wealth of experience and boat-handling skills to the IOM fleet. His ability to read the local conditions and apply his tactical knowledge could make him a serious contender for the podium.

Lisa Blackwood:
Lisa’s deep understanding of the local waters gives her an edge in navigating the tricky conditions. Though she hasn’t raced outside of Hobart in recent years, her local knowledge and strategic approach could help her make a strong push for a top finish.

Michael Hickman:
A seasoned local sailor, Michael knows Montrose Bay. Despite not racing against top IOM competitors recently, his local expertise and experience on these waters could play a key role in securing him a place on the podium.

Ed's thoughts - lack of sailing outside of the 'Apple Isle' will be a big factor for the locals, they'll go OK

Four championships, a bunch of top sailors, and some of the finest radio-controlled yachts you’ll see anywhere. We can’t wait to witness the excitement and intensity as the Australian Championships unfold. Let the races begin and may the best sailor win! Best of luck to all competitors, and most importantly – have fun out there!