Wallaroo Delivers as Simon How Claims DF65 & DF95 South Australian State Titles
The 2026 DF65 and DF95 South Australian State Championships were held over the weekend of 14–15 March at the picturesque Wallaroo Sailing Club, marking the first time the event had ventured outside the usual Adelaide metropolitan venues.
The move proved an outstanding success. A combined fleet of 37 skippers made the journey to the Yorke Peninsula, enjoying a weekend of competitive racing, shifting marina breezes and outstanding hospitality from the Wallaroo Sailing Club team.
DF65 State Championship – How Holds Off Late Challenge
A strong fleet of 21 DF65's took to the water on Saturday, an impressive turnout for a regional venue and a clear sign of the class’s continued growth in South Australia.
The Wallaroo marina proved to be an exceptional racing venue. The confined harbour delivered constant wind shifts and tactical challenges, ensuring no race was predictable and making heat wins highly prized throughout the day.
Early in the regatta Simon How (AUS 688) stamped his authority on the fleet, building an early lead with a string of impressive race wins. However, the championship was far from a one-way affair.
As the day progressed Lester Gabriel (AUS 777) began to find his rhythm in the shifty marina conditions, charging up the leaderboard with several late bullets and placing significant pressure on the leader. Despite the late surge, How managed to hold his nerve to secure the 2026 DF65 South Australian State Championship.
Behind them, Tony White (AUS 33) and Danny James (AUS 562) renewed their rivalry from the previous year, battling race-by-race for the final podium position. In the end it was White who edged ahead to claim third, with James finishing a close fourth.
DF65 Top 5 Results
- Simon How (AUS 688) – 29 pts
- Lester Gabriel (AUS 777) – 37 pts
- Tony White (AUS 33) – 51 pts
- Danny James (AUS 562) – 53 pts
- Des Westlake (AUS 25) – 86 pts
A special mention goes to Des Westlake, who not only finished a very respectable 5th overall, but also played a key role in providing the weekend’s famous Wallaroo whiting dinner.
Saturday evening saw competitors enjoy an outstanding schnitzel and whiting meal hosted by the club — a highlight of the weekend and a great example of the hospitality that regional clubs are renowned for.
The fleet extended a huge thank you to the organising team, including:
- Peter Elvard – Principal Race Officer
- Joy How – Scorer
- Des Westlake – local support (and fisherman!)
- the many volunteers who helped deliver the event.
DF95 State Championship – How Completes the Double
Sixteen DF95's lined up on Sunday for the second half of the championship weekend, again demonstrating strong support for an event held outside the Adelaide metro area.
Fresh from his DF65 victory the previous day, Simon How carried his momentum into the DF95 fleet and produced another superb performance.
How sailed with remarkable consistency throughout the 16-race series, taking multiple race wins and maintaining control of the regatta to successfully defend his DF95 State Championship title. The victory completed a remarkable DF65–DF95 championship double for the weekend.
The chasing pack was led by Danny James, who sailed a strong series to finish second, while Lester Gabriel added another podium to his weekend with third place.
DF95 Top 5 Results
- Simon How (AUS 688) – 22 pts
- Danny James (AUS 562) – 29 pts
- Lester Gabriel (AUS 23) – 51 pts
- Mark Stockhausen (AUS 759) – 56 pts
- Cameron White (AUS 278) – 63 pts
One of the standout performances of the fleet came from Lightsview junior Cameron White, who scored two race wins during the series and finished an impressive 5th overall, including the bragging rights of finishing ahead of his father Tony.
A Championship to Remember
The success of the weekend highlighted both the strength of the DF classes in South Australia and the potential of regional venues to host major events.
Competitors were unanimous in their praise for Wallaroo Sailing Club, with the venue, race management and hospitality combining to produce one of the most enjoyable state championships in recent memory.
Special thanks go to Des Westlake, Peter Elvard and the entire Wallaroo Sailing Club team for delivering what many competitors described as one of the best DF State Championships hosted in South Australia.