Australia Cup starts

Peter White’s First Light faces a different challenge, with tactician Gordon Maguire reporting eight crew changes since Hamilton Island Race Week. Clare Costanzo joins the team as navigator.

So fundamentally, we are starting again with a new lineup,” says Maguire. “How will we do? That’s anyone’s guess; I’m hoping that we will build a solid crew for the future.”

The emphasis on developing new talent extends throughout the fleet, with younger sailors competing alongside experienced international campaigners.

Aboard Mark Spring’s Highly Sprung, Congressional Cup-winning skipper Cole Tapper is calling tactics, supported by Kairos Racing teammate Max Brennan on mainsail trim. Fellow Congressional Cup winner George Richardson joins the crew for Wednesday’s racing, while skiff veteran Dean Williams strengthens the afterguard.

Following Friday’s twilight race, members of the Congressional Cup-winning Kairos Racing team will attend the Australian Sailing Awards, where they are finalists for Team of the Year.

Lee Hawksley’s Gusto, previously raced as First Light, Fifty Two Hundred and Cougar II, also joins the TP52 fleet. Its Thursday crew includes four youth sailors and three women.

Completing the division is Virago, a one-off Reichel/Pugh 52 that has undergone refurbishment, including the installation of a new engine and instruments.

Super 40 competition

The 11-boat Super 40 division features a diverse range of performance yachts, led by Karl Kwok’s Beau Ideal.

Launched in 2025, the Botin-designed yacht was built by Carrington Boats and has Gavin Brady at the helm and Dean Barker calling tactics for the Australia Cup.

Beau Ideal arrives with an impressive record, having won the 2026 Super 40 Gold Cup standings under SFR, IRC and ORC.

Chris Dare’s Ambition, formerly Enterprise Next Generation, is using the regatta to evaluate changes to its sailing configuration.

“We are using the Aus Cup to try out a few boat set up ideas,” says Dare.

“Certainly a more Corinthian focus for us but we still are a competitive bunch.”

The crew includes two sailors under 23, with Jack Abbott on tactics, Dare sailing alongside his son Lockie, and father-and-son combination Carl and Ben Crafoord also aboard.

Anarchy has Grant Pocklington driving and Mark Dorling calling tactics, with three youth sailors among its 10-person crew.

Other Super 40 entries include Peter Farrugia’s Bushranger, Bullwinkle 400, Ross Hennessy’s Condor, Edge, Little Nico, Edward Cox’s Minerva and Scott Lawson’s Mittere.

Craig Neil takes the helm of Edge, while newcomer Christopher Mapp drives Little Nico, supported by Tom Spithill on tactics.

Family connections

Mike Ritchie’s Revolver brings a strong family connection to the regatta. The Ritchie 38 was designed by his father, Bruce Ritchie, and is constructed from timber with carbon sheathing.

“She was designed by my dad, Bruce Ritchie. We love her like family,” says Ritchie, who campaigns the yacht with a young amateur crew.

The Australia Cup also features several sailors from the Shaw and Partners Women Racing program.

Following their appearance at the New York Yacht Club Women’s International, Juliet Costanzo and Sarah Parker reunite aboard Revolver, with Costanzo calling tactics and Parker trimming the mainsail.

Katherine Dawson also joins Revolver, while Lisa Denvir and Bayley Taylor compete aboard Anarchy. Alice Tarnawski sails on Edge.

Women Racing co-founder Katie Spithill, who skippered the team in Newport, joins the event’s commentary team alongside Peter Shipway and Nic Douglass.

The regatta also comes amid further developments across the Australian grand prix circuit.

Doherty has purchased Caro, now entered in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race as Islero, while Australian TP52 Sailing Association president Craig Neil is preparing for the arrival of Quest, formerly Mockingbird, from the US.

Racing and coverage

Racing began on Wednesday 28 October, with twilight competition continuing through Friday before the weekend’s windward-leeward racing.

Saturday 31 October features up to four races, followed by up to three on Sunday 1 November.

Live coverage will be available on YouTube on both weekend days, with the presentation ceremony scheduled after Sunday’s racing.

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