Torpy Takes Early Lead at Marblehead Australian Championship on the Gold Coast


Mar 1, 2026

The 2026 International Marblehead Class Australian Championship commenced today at the superb Emerald Lakes venue on the Gold Coast, hosted by the Paradise Radio Yacht Club, with a strong fleet of 19 boats contesting the national title.

Competitors were greeted with ideal racing conditions, with a steady south-easterly breeze allowing the fleet to race under B rig for the entire day, producing fast, tactical racing and a demanding test of consistency across the opening eight races.

At the conclusion of Day 1, Greg Torpy (QLD, AUS 25, Grunge) holds a narrow lead on 8 points, delivering an impressive and consistent performance that included four race wins. Torpy was particularly strong throughout the day, rarely putting a foot wrong as he established himself as the early benchmark.

Just one point behind is Lincoln McDowall (VIC, AUS 97, F6) on 9 points, who remained firmly in contention with a remarkably consistent scoreline, never finishing outside the top five and claiming two race wins of his own.

In third place, Brett Osborn (SA, AUS 79, Grunge) sits on 12 points, recovering well from an early discard to post a string of top-three finishes and remain well within striking distance of the leaders.

Former champion Andrew Reid (VIC) is positioned fourth on 24 points, while Mark Newman (ACT) completes the top five on 26 points, both remaining well placed as the championship progresses.

Further back, the fleet remains tightly contested, with multiple skippers showing flashes of speed throughout the day, highlighting the depth and competitiveness of this year’s championship.

With racing scheduled to continue tomorrow, 2 March, and concluding on 3 March, the championship remains wide open. While Torpy has established an early advantage, both McDowall and Osborn are well placed to challenge, and with more races to come, consistency will be key in deciding the 2026 Australian Champion.

Progressive results are available at: https://aryanationals.com

Results


PosName/ClubSail No.
/Design
NettTotal
1MCDOWALL, Lincoln
VIC/ALBERT PARK MYC (VIC)
AUS 97
F6
30.058.0
2TORPY, Greg
QLD/GLADSTONE RCYC
AUS 25
GRUNGE
54.092.0
3OSBORN, Brett
SA/ADELAIDE RCYRC
AUS 79
GRUNGE
57.089.0
4REID, Andrew
VIC/ALBERT PARK MYC (VIC)
AUS 74
GRUNGE
84.0116.0
5GOWER, John
QLD/EAGLEBY RYC
AUS 63
GRUNGE
107.0148.0
6NOWAK, Rob
VIC/ALBERT PARK MYC (VIC)
AUS 17
GRUNGE
108.0150.0
7STEWART, Kyle
TAS/RISDON BROOK RYC
AUS 59
INDIE
133.0183.0
8NEWMAN, Mark
NSW/CANBERRA MYC
AUS 60
GRUNGE
134.0203.0
9SHERWOOD, Peter
QLD/EAGLEBY RYC
AUS 91
F6
136.0201.0
10ANDERSON, Dean
QLD/MACKAY RSC
AUS 65
F6
156.0207.0
11MEE, Jimmy
QLD/EAGLEBY RYC
AUS 68
GRUNGE
159.0217.0
12LAMBOURNE, David
QLD/EAGLEBY RYC
AUS 20
F4.5
224.0294.0
13PAUL, Roger
WA/CHAMPION LAKES RYC
AUS 86
F6
272.0352.0
14SCOTT, Rex
QLD/PYC
AUS 31
NRW3
277.0348.0
15THOMAS, David
VIC/ALBERT PARK MYC (VIC)
AUS 88
FX6CR
279.0356.0
16WATSON, Peter
QLD/NORTH BRISBANE RYC
AUS 160
NIOUTRAM
291.0364.0
17DEANE, Bruce
QLD/EAGLEBY RYC
AUS 27
PARADOX
293.0372.0
18FISHER, Trevor
QLD/EAGLEBY RYC
AUS 29
F4.5
298.0378.0
19ANDERSON, Ross
QLD/MACKAY RSC
AUS 87
PRIME NUMBER
310.0390.0

Category: Australia
Posted by: ARYA Publicity