The Finns are coming!

Australian International Finn Association with RQYS has won hosting rights for the 2026 Finn World Masters Championships and Gold Cup!

With only a little over 3 months to go, all systems are go!

In coming updates, we will highlight the social events associated with the regattas and profile RQYS Finn Sailors including the people who are focused on making this a great regatta.

RQYS has a rich History of Finn sailors 1952.

Olympians:

Ron Jenyns (who’s half boat is featured in the Foyer of RQYS),

John Ferguson, Jake Lilley, Brendan Casey (who has just returned to the RQ fleet)

Rafa Trujillo (current RQYS sailor Gold Medal Olympic Laser Coach plus represented Spain and won the Siver Medal 2004)

Ross Healy, John Harrison, Dick Howard

———

Stuart Bishop, Graham Early, Kerry Waraker (still sailing a Laser at 80+), Dave Bull (sailing a VX at 70+), Murray Norris, Doug Fleming, Peter Shale and son Steve Shale, Dick Roberton, Graham & Brett Smit, Bruce Small, Les Christy, Dick Smith, Norm Clarke, Martin Nothling, Tony Greenfeild, Bob Kormans, Dick Whitman, Simon Goreman, Doug Fleming, Ross Healey, Ian Crisp…the list is extensive and just enforces the quality of the Finn DNA at RQYS.        

More Information for 2026 world Finn Championships

https://www.rqys.com.au/international-finn-2026-events/

Event Dates

• Australian Finn Nationals 7-12 Feb 2026 (70 Entries expected for the Nationals)

• Finn Gold Cup (World Championships Open) 13-19 Feb 2026 (50 entries expected for the Gold Cup)

• Finn World Masters (Over 40) 20-27 Feb 2026 (110-130 entries expected for the Masters)

Event Summary

• These events were secured after tireless effort and submissions to the International Finn Association by RQYS Members and Finn Sailors Phil Chadwick and Dave Bull. Phil is a Past Australian Sailing team member, National and State Champion in various classes plus current International Finn Association of Australia (IFAA) President. Dave is also a past National Champion in the 505 and various state titles, he is also IFAA Secretary and International Finn Association (IFA) treasurer
• The Finn Gold Cup (Open world championship) will return to RQYS in Feb 2026. It was last held here in 1976 (50 years ago), where John Bertram finished 3^rd.
• And for the first time in Finn history (since 1952) the Finn Worlds Masters will be hosted in the Southern hemisphere, at RQYS.
• Also, for the first time the Gold Cup and Masters will be held consecutively at the same venue.

Corporate Support

• The first partner for 2026 to come onboard is GILL, thanks to club member Scott Miller. This early support laid a solid foundation for others to follow, and we thank GILL for their strong and continuing support.
• North Sails, Yacht Share, Wallace Bishop, Helm Insurance, Ocean Digital, Moreton Bay Signs, Visual Warefare have all joined the partnership team and we welcome them onboard.
• The Finn worlds committee with Support from Rob Brown OAM is finalising other substantial corporate partners and we will announce those in the near future.

International Finn Association of Australia has invited two exceptional Australians as Patrons for the 2026 World.

Regatta Ambassadors/Patrons

John Ferguson OAM OLY

1968 Mexico Olympics with John Cuneo and Tom Anderson he was Australian representative in the Dragon Class. John was Finn reserve to Ron Jenyns in the Olympics also. Overall, he was part of the Australian yachting team in four Olympic Games from 1968 -1988 – both as a competitor and team manager.

John was Commodore of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron from 1992 to 1994 when the Brisbane to Osaka Yacht Race was conducted. John was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for Highest achievement in Australian Sport and in January 2017 received the Order of Australia (OAM) which recognizes Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievements. John is a lifelong supporter and ex sailor of the Finn Class.

Rachael Watson OAM PLY

Rachael has a strong RQ and Australian Finn following in her Representative journey, she is a Triple Para Olympian and the first Australian Olympian or Paralympian to medal in 3 successive Games in the 50m Freestyle. Rio, Tokyo and Paris. 2 Gold and 1 Bronze. In 2016 was named as AIS Discovery of the Year, UQ Blue award recipient for Sporting excellence and 2022 Sportswomen of the year. 2023 was awarded the Australian Sports Medal, January 2017 she received the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her contribution to sport. At the same ceremony John Ferguson was awarded the Order of Australia Medal. Rachael has just celebrated her 10^th year on the Australian Dolphin Swim team by securing a 4th World record. In September 2025 Rachael was awarded the Churchill Fellowship and is training to compete at the 2028 LA Games.

We want to highlight the efforts from those behind the scenes:

• Invaluable support from Noel Patterson, off water programs and Dave Healy technical programs with volunteer support currently being put together. They are seeking volunteer support for the regattas so why not get involved? If anyone is interested, please contact the Sailing office.
• Mark Dingley RQ Sailing Manager and his well-oiled sailing office team have the on-water programming in place and with Louise Davis taking on the demanding Principal Race Officer role, we will have a very organised Race Management Team.
• Club Finn sailors Stuart Watson, Larry Kleist, Andy Harcourt and Trevor Martin are leading a committed team to secure corporate support, arrange social activities and functions, along with sourcing charter boats for the overseas competitors.
• RQYS Commodore Curtis Skinner and Vice Commodore Todd Anderson (both Finn Sailors) are providing strong support with RQ CEO Karen Baildwin leading the club’s management team.
• Rob Brown OAM – Americas Cup Australia II crew member, winner back in 1983 and multiple World 18 foot Skiff Champion has provided his high profile and unique experience towards gaining support from our corporate partners.
• The Clubs highly skilled Head Coach and former Olympic Sailing Coach – Adrian Finglas is tuning the local Finn Sailors up with the assistance of current Olympic Coach Rafa Trujillo. The fleet is achieving great results with this coaching initiative.
• Mike Middelton is providing his commercial media skills to the events and coverage, with some exciting formats to cover all the action on the water, with Simone Hasker RQ marketing manager providing support for RQYS and IFA
• We are expecting in excess of 120 international and Finn sailors from around Australia all supported by family and friends all heading to Manly and the “Bay side”. All are looking forward to enjoying these regattas and social events commencing from December 2025 until end of February 2026.

The Big Community Event – “Finns Rock” Concert

With sailors and guests being in town for over one month they will experience our community and local hospitality outside RQYS, to enhance the experience we are hosting 2 evening events at the Manly Village and Manly boat club including a concert featuring Australia’s top musicians Saturday 21st February. This is a World Finn 2026 Event (“FINNS ROCK”) tickets will sell out so don’t miss out.

Tickets are available via Ticketek  

https://share.google/cyYrKrJ8x2P8Nav64

Kind Regards

Stuart Watson

On behalf of the 2026 Finn Worlds Committee and IFAA