Flying Fifteen WA State Titles 2026 – Report
Assemble an impressive fleet of 41 boats and you are well on the way to a very successful event. Add in some of the best facilities and landscape in Perth, the usual variety of weather conditions, a significant amount of free beverages and a staggering amount of succulent food and you are assured of a great time and need Easter Monday to recover and reflect.
The short story is that a fabulous and dedicated team of volunteers produced one of the great State Championship regattas over the Easter weekend and achieved as much on the social side as on the competitive side.
Sailing conditions were extremely light on Day 1, with only one race able to be completed. Fortunately, the weather gods were more favourable for the remainder of the regatta, which allowed the Race Officer, John Rooke, to fit the remaining six races in on the last two days. Overall conditions were light, however, with most races sailed in under 10 knots.
South of Perth Yacht Club’s Mike and Paul Dunbar in Ineffable were crowned State Champions for 2026 with Phillipa Packer and Dean MacAulay from RFBYC in Firefly second and Greg Tonnison and Scott Fallows (also SOPYC members) in The Answer third. The final result hinged on the results from the last race with any of the first four boats having an opportunity to win the series.
First in the Silver Fleet was Harry Miller and Bob McIntosh from Geraldton in Down Under, making it a three-peat, after their wins in this category in the previous two State Championships.
First lady skipper was Philippa Packer. She also took over as FFIWA State President at the AGM, so she had a big weekend!
The Mouse Trophy, awarded this year at the President’s discretion for the most notable performance in the regatta, went to Rhyley Dunbar for his efforts in a boat that was purchased for a carton of beer in just enough time to enter the regatta. At times he was right at the front of the fleet, only to be let down by gear failure. He also would have won the “alphabet” award, if one had been available, for accumulating the greatest number of letters in his results (including an OCS, RET, DNS and UFD).
The President’s award, awarded to someone who has contributed most to the class over the course of the year, was presented to Colin Smith and the Port Bouvard Yacht Club team in recognition of their efforts in building a strong and growing fleet. It was great to see them at the regatta – some of them competing in a regatta such as this for the first time.
The consistency series was won by Rob Donaldson and Collin Maloney from Esperance Bay Yacht Club in Freude. Second on consistency was SoPYC’s father and daughter team of Grant and Ebony Firth in Saltheart. Third was Arron and Natasha Parker from Geraldton Yacht Club in Nelsons Loose Cannon.
The South of Perth Race team, led by John Rooke, did a remarkable job in conducting all 7 races and had to apply the less than subtle U flag to keep some order at the starts. John Hassen and SoPYC Fleet Captain, David Reid engineered all the necessary bits on shore to ensure a festival atmosphere that included organising two boats to be provided for visiting Canadian crews. The catering side was where the regatta really set itself apart with the “energiser bunny” that is Mary-Anne Reid making sure no one was hungry or under-caffeinated for the duration of the weekend.
On the Saturday evening of the regatta, West Australians Peter Rooke and Rupert Leslie were each awarded the Uffa Fox Medal by current FFI Commodore Dean MacAulay, on behalf of Flying Fifteen International. Introduced in 2009, the Uffa Fox Medal is awarded to individuals in recognition of their outstanding service to FFI. Well deserved recognition at an international level.
Special mention should also be made of the two Canadian crews who made it all the way from Salt Spring Island to WA to compete in the State Titles. Sailing in borrowed boats, they acquitted themselves very well, with Larisa Fry and Jill Oakes winning one heat on Consistency and coming third in another. Matti Troyer and Hayley Harkema had a second placing on Consistency in one heat and came third in another. Overall, the two crews came 7th and 10th respectively on Consistency – great results. There is a strong bond between Salt Spring Island and Western Australia and we look forward to continuing that special relationship. Thanks are due to John Hassen for his efforts in creating and fostering that relationship.
Thanks to all the sponsors and supporters for the regatta: Endeavour Homes, The Gate Bar and Bistro, Nail Brewing Company, Segafredo Coffee, Flo Solutions and The WA Spit Roast Company.
Overall results can be found here – 2026 State Champs Overall Results.
Consistency results can be found here – 2026 State Champs Consistency Results.
A photo gallery is also available here.
Next year’s State Championships are scheduled for Easter at Esperance, where we are looking forward to enjoying great sailing and their legendary country hospitality.