DF95's at Champion Lakes for Jackadder Cup

With algae affecting the home waters of Perth Radio Sailing Club, the regatta was relocated to Champion Lakes, where 18 skippers assembled for what would eventually become a highly competitive day of DF95 racing.

The forecast called for a south-westerly breeze of around 5–8 knots, but at the scheduled start time conditions were anything but settled. A light and inconsistent breeze made fair racing difficult, prompting Race Officer Hunter Gillies to suspend proceedings and call an early lunch while the fleet waited for conditions to improve.

The decision proved worthwhile. Around midday the south-westerly began to establish itself as forecast and racing finally got underway.

Once racing commenced, the fleet made up for lost time with 12 races completed. Competition at the front was particularly close, with numerous races featuring changes of leader and plenty of opportunities gained — and lost — around the course.

Nick Jerwood of Wanderers RSC quickly established himself as the skipper to beat. While he didn't always have things his own way, one of the features of Jerwood's day was his ability to recover from difficult positions. On several occasions he worked his way back through the fleet to turn a mid-fleet position into a strong finish.

Jerwood recorded five race wins and never finished outside the top six, allowing him to discard a fifth and sixth to finish the regatta with an impressive nett score of 17 points.

Sean Wallis of Austin Lakes RS kept the pressure on throughout the day. Wallis also recorded a consistent series, taking four race victories and regularly challenging Jerwood at the front of the fleet. However, Jerwood's consistency and ability to recover when things didn't go his way proved the difference, with Wallis finishing runner-up on 24 points.

Behind the leading pair, the battle for the final podium position was exceptionally close.

Ron Viney of Wanderers RSC and Champion Lakes' Ian Sherriff both finished on 41 points after discards. Viney's series included a win in Race 5 and second places in Races 9 and 10, while Sherriff produced a consistent second half of the regatta highlighted by second place in Race 11. The countback eventually went Viney's way, securing third place ahead of Sherriff in fourth.

There were plenty of other individual highlights throughout the fleet. Mark Lovelady opened his campaign with a second place and finished fifth overall, while Justin McAullay took second places in Races 2 and 3 on his way to sixth.

Jason Poutsma demonstrated just how competitive the fleet was by winning Races 4 and 6, while Ross Swanson took an excellent second place in Race 5. With race wins shared among Jerwood, Wallis, Viney and Poutsma, there was no shortage of competition at the front.

For Jerwood, the Jackadder Cup also provided an ideal final hit-out before turning his attention to international competition. This was his final regatta before travelling to South Africa to compete in the DF95 Global Championship, and his performance at Champion Lakes demonstrated that he heads overseas in strong form.

2026 DF95 Jackadder Cup – Top Five

1. Nick Jerwood – Wanderers RSC – 17 points

2. Sean Wallis – Austin Lakes RS – 24 points

3. Ron Viney – Wanderers RSC – 41 points

4. Ian Sherriff – Champion Lakes – 41 points

5. Mark Lovelady – Harrington Waters Radio Sailors – 56 points

Despite the change of venue and a delayed beginning to the day, the 2026 Jackadder Cup ultimately delivered an excellent afternoon of DF95 racing. Thanks go to Race Officer Hunter Gillies and the race team for their patience early in the day and for getting a full and competitive program underway once the breeze arrived.

Congratulations to Nick Jerwood on taking the 2026 DF95 Jackadder Cup, and best wishes to all the Australian Team heading to South Africa for the DF95 Global Championship.