Against the World’s Best, RQYS Sailors Rise at the 2026 Laser Nationals
January 15, 2026
RQYS sailors have once again performed strongly at the 2026 Nationals in Adelaide with 28 boats making the journey South. Twelve races were completed across all fleets with winds ranging from 4 to 18 knots.
In the full rigs (ILCA 7), Matt Wearn scored a runaway win with Isaac Schotte sailing a consistent regatta to finish 7th in a very strong field including multiple World top 10 sailors.
The ILCA6 regatta was dominated by Emma Plasschaert (1st) from Belgium and Maria Erdi (2nd) from Hungary. The Australian women’s championship went down to the wire with RQYS sailors Mara Stransky and Frances Beebe in 1st and 3rd positions respectively heading into the final race and only 6 points between 1st and 4th. Zoe Thomson (WA) secured her first win of the regatta when it counted to take 1st overall with Mara 2nd and Frances 3rd.
RQYS sailors performed strongly across the board with Henry Piggot 12th overall and 2nd U19 male, Jackson Black 13th overall and 1st U17 male and Caterina Meyer 22nd overall and 1st U19 Female.
The ILCA4 was won on countback by Thomas Cooper (WA) from Callum Simmons (Vic). RQYS sailors secured 4 of the top 10 positions with Harry Hogan in 3rd, Morgan Grieve 6th, Monty Morse 9th and Ruby Carter 10th and also Australian Women’s Champion.
The Hobart Nationals was an impressive result by RQYS with the fantastic results down the fleet ensuring strong performances for the coming years.