Pantaenius Pittwater Regatta 2026 Preview - Add it to your February calendar!
by Di Pearson / RPAYC media 4 Dec 06:41 UTC
13-15 February 2026
Colour in Pittwater inshore race - Pantaenius Pittwater Regatta © Andrea Francolini / RPAYC
Yes, the year is nearly up, making it time to go online and sign up for the 2026 Pantaenius Australia Pittwater Regatta and the NSW ORC Championship, held in tandem with the Regatta, courtesy of continued support from Sydney Marine Brokerage, to be held from 13 to 15 February, 2026.
Early entries for the three-day ORC Championship include reigning Division 2 champion, David Davies and his BH36, Local Hero and XS Moment, Ray Hudson's XP44, both regulars on the NSW regatta scene.
ORC Championship Racing kicks off with an offshore passage race on the Friday and continues with two inshore races on Saturday and ends with Sunday's windward/leeward races on the offshore Palm Beach Circle.
The Pittwater Cup has its share of early entrants too, with Paul O'Rourke bringing Aurora, an IOR Farr 40, down from Newcastle. He is joined by locals, such as John Afaras' Beneteau Oceanis 35.1, Eirini and Wahoo, Phil Smith's Grand Soleil GS43F, a regular at the regatta.
"The Pittwater boats are such great supporters of our (Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club) events and we have a team entered in the Performance 40 division. It's an interclub competition with three similar boats per club in a fleet racing format. It looks like there will be a few club teams, so it will be competitive," O'Rourke says.
"It's popular in Europe and we're trialing it NSW. It's for club racers who like sailing hard around the marks and racing will be dictated on the race course. Corinthian sailors can represent their clubs to get a taste of grand prix style racing too," he explains.
A combination of passage, windward/leeward, inshore and offshore racing will ensure exciting competition.
The division is open to racer/cruisers of approximately 40 feet and carrying symmetrical kites within a tight ORCc band. Class rules will ensure easily accessible, similar speed yachts. Racing will be scored using ORCc, Time on Time. And the result is club cumulative - not individual.
"It's a strong way to start the year, with the Super 40 division also integrating into three of the Pallas Capital Gold Cup events in 2026, plus running divisions at the Commodores Cup in Port Stephens and Hamilton Island Race Week. Lots to be super happy about," O'Rourke ends.
The Super 40s have found their happy place at this event too. Returnees start with defending champion, Ross Hennessy and his Ker 40 MK3, Condor. The 2025 runner-up, Michael Ritchie (Ritchie 38, Revolver) and Peter Farrugia (with a Farr 400, Bulwinkle400) have thrown down the gauntlet for others to get their entries in.
"Last year's Pittwater Regatta was the closest racing we've yet had in the Super 40 fleet," says a happy Ritchie, a strong driver of the class. "Seeing eight boats finishing within a minute of each other on corrected time made for some brilliant racing."
Interest and growth in the class is solid: "We'll see the return of Condor. However, the list of competitors is longer this time. Anarchy, Botany Access, Vento, Bushranger, Crazy Diamond and Kukukerchu. Then there's Peter Higgin's new Botin 46, Black Sparrow and the recently arrived Ker 40, Minerva. We're also hoping to have the likes of Victoire coming up from the CYCA," Ritchie says.
On offer across the board are multiple course formats for inshore and offshore racing and one of the great classics, Saturday's 5 Heads Challenge, returns.
It really is great summer racing on glorious Pittwater with the opportunity to exact revenge on those who beat you last summer, while enjoying tactical racing.
"Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) is proud to welcome Pantaenius Australia as naming rights partner once again and to continue our fantastic collaboration with Sydney Marine Brokerage for the NSW ORC Championship," Commodore, Rob McClelland, said.
"We look forward to welcoming crews back for two and three action-packed days of racing, depending on which event you enter. We will entertain you with music, food and fun, along with unforgettable summer sailing," the Commodore vowed.
On Saturday, 14 February, the two-day Pittwater Regatta kicks off with the stunning 5 Heads Challenge Race. At 20 nautical miles, it weaves a course through Pittwater and Broken Bay at the entrance to the Hawkesbury River. Designed and dedicated to keeping competitors on their toes, the course rewards those who handle the difficult transitions between land and open water best.
Early brekkie is available each day and post racing, crews will be treated to fun and games with a spinnaker competition, crew barbecues, live music, prizes and great sponsor giveaways. It's so much fun - ask anyone who has been before - and don't forget to bring your best post-race stories with you ashore each day!
First held in 1907, the Pittwater Regatta has gone through a range of changes to race formats, classes etc. to suit the times and remains a popular summertime fixture on the Alfreds' calendar.
Entries in the Pantaenius Pittwater Regatta close at 1700 hours on 2 February. Late entries may be accepted at an additional fee.
To enter and view the NoR plus all other information, please visit www.pittwaterregatta.au.