The 50th Australian Tasar Championship was held at the Mandurah Offshore Fishing and Sailing Club (MOFSC) in Western Australia in January 2025, celebrating a half-century of competitive Tasar sailing. The event drew a talented fleet of sailors from across the country, with the picturesque backdrop of Mandurah and the club’s exceptional race management contributing to a truly memorable regatta.
A Family Affair in the Top 20
This year’s championship showcased the unique family-oriented spirit of Tasar sailing, with father-daughter combinations dominating the top twenty standings. Among them was the youngest competitor, Naomi Taylor, crewing for her father Ian aboard ‘Sweet Potayto’. The duo delivered an impressive performance, winning three out of the ten races and showcasing a combination of skill, resilience, and teamwork.
Consistency across the series ultimately determined the final standings, with Craig McPhee and Wayne Hale from South Australia securing the championship title aboard Roll Your Own (sail number 2857). Their exceptional sailing, including multiple race wins, ensured they held off a competitive field.
Western Australia’s own David Meehan and Rhyss Edwards took second place aboard Critical Path (2938), while the Victorian team of Heather Macfarlane and Chris Payne, on WAC (2969), claimed third. The family-focused camaraderie and high level of competition were evident throughout the event, with sailors demonstrating both sportsmanship and skill across all conditions.
A Spectacular Venue
Mandurah’s reliable sea breezes and stunning coastal scenery proved an ideal setting for the milestone event. Multiple Olympic Gold Medalist Mat Wearn hailed Mandurah as his favourite sailing venue in the Southern Hemisphere, a testament to the venue’s world-class conditions. He also expressed his enthusiasm for Lago di Garda, Italy—the host location for the 2025 Tasar World Championships—which he regards as the Northern Hemisphere’s best sailing destination. A full gallery of great photos by Tom Hodge can be found here – https://tomhodgemedia.pic-time.com/-2025australiantasarnationals/gallery
Volunteers: The Heart of the Event
The success of the championship was due in no small part to the dedicated volunteers from both MOFSC and the local Tasar fleet. Their hard work behind the scenes ensured the smooth running of the regatta and created a welcoming, community-driven atmosphere for competitors and spectators alike. And of course no sailing day was complete without a daily presentation full of laughs and prizes led by Al Capitan – Alistair Murray. The celebration of the 50th championship was as much a tribute to these volunteers as it was to the sailors.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Australian Tasar Championship is set to be held at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Brisbane in early January. With this year’s event setting a high benchmark, anticipation is already building for what promises to be another exciting chapter in Tasar sailing.
As the sailors now set their sights on Lago di Garda for the World Championships later this year (https://2025.tasarworlds.com), the 50th Australian Tasar Championship will be remembered as a historic and heartwarming celebration of the class’s legacy, marked by family, competition, and community spirit.
Full results at – https://www.tasar.org/major-events/results/australian-nationals/2025nationalsresults.aspx
Article provided by Chris Payne
Photos are by Tom Hodge
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