This year’s championships will be hosted by the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania from 3-5 January, immediately following the conclusion of the 75th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in Hobart.

Racing will again be on offer for IRC rated boats across Divisions 1, 2 and 3, with racing to be conducted on the waters of the River Derwent, Storm Bay and the d’Entrecasteaux Channel.

The Goat – Australian IRC Championship 2017 – photo © Andrea Francolini

The Australian Yachting Championships have a storied history. Some of the biggest and best offshore yachts are among its past winners, including Hooligan, Shogun V, Beau Geste and reigning back-to-back champion Ichi Ban.

In an effort to recognise the importance of passage racing in the Yachting Championships, for the first time the regatta will use the score of the Rolex Sydney Hobart as the first race of the series for AYC Division 1 boats only. Those boats will then be able to then change their configuration consistent with the IRC certificate under which they enter the Australian Yachting Championships.

As a result, the regatta will now include a balance of windward-leeward and truly challenging passage racing. It will also recognise the world-class fleet of blue-water racing yachts expected in Hobart through the inclusion of Australia’s premier offshore race.

Australian Sailing is encouraging all yachts who have completed the Rolex Sydney Hobart to stay around and compete in the Championships, with events and entertainment planned for the rest days between the two events.

This is the first time the Australian Yachting Championships have been hosted in Tasmania since it was established as a single-series event. Hobart has an extremely strong and vibrant sailing community, and with the Sydney Hobart celebrating its 75th anniversary it was the perfect opportunity to recognise both by bringing Australian Sailing’s premier offshore event to the River Derwent.

The Notice of Race is available now on the Australian Yachting Championships website.

Entries are also open, please fill in the form here today.

Australian Sailing would like to thank our regatta partners at Events Tasmania and North Sail (Official Sail Maker of the 2020 Australian Yachting Championships).

by Michael Martin