Australian FD Fleet – 2025 Regatta Report

The Australian Flying Dutchman (FD) fleet participated in several regattas throughout the 2025 calendar year. The season spanned both the second half of the 2024/25 summer season and the beginning of the 2025/26 summer season, showcasing a mix of strong performances, challenging weather, and impressive sportsmanship.

2024/25 Australian National Championships

Port Melbourne Yacht Club, Victoria – 31 January to 2 February 2025

The year began with the 2024/25 National Championships, hosted by the Port Melbourne Yacht Club. The event drew a competitive fleet of 11 boats, all vying for top honours in classic Port Phillip Bay conditions. Day one saw a strong breeze of 18–25 knots and waves, making for exciting and challenging racing across the fleet. Days 2 and 3 also saw strong breeze and waves.

Photo: Race start on Day 1 – perfect sailing conditions and a well-contested fleet.

Results:

NSW State Championships

Twofold Bay Yacht Club, New South Wales – 14 to 16 February 2025

The next event on the calendar was the NSW State Championships. A smaller fleet gathered for the weekend, with racing beginning on Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, gale-force winds were forecast for the remainder of the weekend. As a result, the event was abandoned early on Saturday morning for safety reasons, with no further races completed. Only 2 races were completed on Friday and as such not enough heats were held to constitute a series.

Photo: First start day one in strong conditions

Safety Beach Regatta

Safety Beach Sailing Club, Victoria – 8 to 10 March 2025

In a stark contrast to the previous regatta, the Safety Beach event faced completely opposite conditions. Over the three-day weekend, the wind failed to appear, with the first heat abandoned due to calm weather and no further races possible. Despite best efforts, the regatta was officially cancelled due to a total lack of breeze. There were 8 FDs at the regatta which was combined with 420s and Tasars. Photo in the late afternoon on the day before racing (from one of the club balconies) shows a beautiful sunset with a very light breeze over Port Phillip Bay, a sign of things to come.

Photo: late afternoon day before racing (from one of the club balconies) shows a beautiful sunset with a very light breeze over Port Phillip Bay, a sign of things to come.

Easter Regatta

Lake Boga Yacht Club, Victoria – 18 to 21 April 2025

Held over the Easter long weekend, the Lake Boga regatta (inland North West Victoria) saw a small but enthusiastic fleet in attendance. Conditions were variable throughout the event, providing a mixed challenge for competitors but allowing some good sailing opportunities. Given low numbers across a range of classes, divisions were grouped by yardstick groupings.

Photo: Sunrise at the Lake on Day 1

The Australian FD association is working on the next generation and at Lake Boga, some 420 sailors sampled the 2025 National Champions FD.

Photo: Nick Meijer 420 sailor from Safety Beach Sailing Club, Port Phillip Bay Victoria with Charlie Edwards on wire, 420 sailor from Metung Yacht Club, East Gippsland Victoria.

Photo: Nick Meijer 420 sailor from Safety Beach Sailing Club, Port Phillip Bay Victoria, with Tom Watson on wire, another 420 sailor from Western Port Yacht Club Victoria.

Batemans Bay Marina Regatta (ANZAC Weekend)

Batemans Bay, New South Wales – 26 to 27 April 2025

The Batemans Bay Marina Regatta also experienced light fleet numbers and strong conditions with rolling waves. Nevertheless, the event maintained the spirit of friendly competition and provided valuable on-water experience for those who attended. Given low numbers across a range of classes, divisions were grouped by yardstick groupings.

Upcoming Events in Late 2025

The second half of the year promises a return to form, with several key events on the horizon:

• Dr Ian McCrossin OAM Inland Championships
  1–3 November 2025 | Albury Wodonga Sailing Club, Lake Hume (NSW/VIC Border)
  A highlight of the inland sailing calendar, this regatta is expected to draw a strong turnout.

Photo: part of the rigging area Albury Wodonga Sailing Club at Lake Hume NSW/Victoria

• 2025/26 National Championships
  Scheduled for early 2026 | Venue to be announced
  Planning is underway for the next National Championships, with details to be confirmed shortly.

Summary

While 2025 presented a mix of highs and lows for the Australian FD fleet – from competitive racing in strong conditions to regattas impacted by extreme weather – the camaraderie and dedication within the class remained as strong as ever. The fleet looks forward to a busy and successful 2025/26 season ahead.

Stay tuned for updates on upcoming events and championship announcements.

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