The 2025 O’pen Skiff World Championships were hosted in Nishinomiya, Japan from July 16–23.

After four fiercely contested days at the 2025 O’pen Skiff Australian Championships, hosted by Mordialloc Sailing Club (VIC), 11 Sailors earned their place on the Australian team for the World Championships in Nishinomiya, Japan across 2 age divisions. A notable achievement to be celebrated following the National Championships was the qualification of 8 girls for the Australian Team.

The Australian team was expertly coached by Breanne Wadley Tinaroo Sailing Club (QLD) and Aidan Hodzic Manly Yacht Club (NSW), whose guidance and experience (despite being the youngest coaches across all participant countries) were invaluable both on and off the water.

Representing the Under 17 Division

• Kaison Puls – South of Perth Yacht Club, WA
• Maya Hodzic – Manly Yacht Club, NSW
• Billie McCracken – East Fremantle Yacht Club, WA
• Harriet Mellor – South of Perth Yacht Club, WA
• Francesca Del Favero – Tinaroo Sailing Club, QLD
• Amelia Tracey – Tinaroo Sailing Club, QLD
• Nora Leon Hernandez – Keppel Bay Sailing Club, QLD
• Leon Wei Petit – Noosa Yacht & Rowing Club, QLD

Representing the Under U13 Division

• Isabella Del Favero – Tinaroo Sailing Club, QLD
• Casey Roeder – Cronulla Sailing Club, NSW
• Isabelle Hobson – Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, WA

Japan’s summer heat and humidity presented a new challenge for many, but our North Queensland team members shared invaluable tips on hydration and fuelling.

Over three training days, the team fine tuned charter boat setups which was somewhat of a constant battle with repairs and tweaks being an ongoing challenge, studied local weather patterns, honed tactical skills in mark rounding and chop management and mastered the 2km tow out to the racecourse, which quickly became a daily team bonding ritual.

Highlights for the team included working with the new coaches, connecting with international sailors, and soaking up the atmosphere of a high level regatta.

The Opening Ceremony was unforgettable with the the Australian team marching through Nishinomiya chanting “Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi” with trademark enthusiasm. A traditional blessing at the town shrine offered a special cultural connection.

Off the water, friendships flourished both within the Australian squad and across the participating nations. Gear trading was also a hit, with the visually distinctive Aussie shirts and rashies in high demand.

Regatta Racing Highlights included five days of light breezes and choppy water tested every sailor’s skill and stamina. The unique “freestyle zone” on the reaching leg required either a stand up sail through or a 360° turn depending on the start boat flag adding a tactical twist to racing. Mistakes often meant costly penalties, but the Australians adapted quickly.

Standout performances:

• Kaison Puls dominated the U17 fleet to become World Champion — the first Australian to do so since Breanne Wadley (Coach) in 2019.
• Maya Hodzic finished 5th overall in U17 and claimed 1st Female.
• Billie McCracken placed 16th overall in U17 and 3rd Female.
• In U13, Casey Roeder (14th), Isabella Del Favero (15th), and Isabelle Hobson (18th) finished within four places of each other.

Final Results for Australia

Under 17 Division (61 boats)

• Kaison Puls, 1st and World Champion
• Maya Hodzic, 5th and 1st Female
• Billie McCracken, 16th and 3rd Female
• Leon Wei Petit (22nd), Harriet Mellor (38th), Amelia Tracey (40th), Francesca Del Favero (41st), Nora Leon Hernandez (42nd)

Under 13 Division (32 boats)

• Casey Roeder (14th) Isabella Del Favero (15th) Isabelle Hobson (18th)

Australia will host the next O’pen Skiff Worlds event in Australia for 2026 at Kepple Bay Sailing Club, Yeppoon QLD from December 29th 2026 to the 4th January 2027. The event will be preceded by the 2027 O’pen Skiff National Championships on December 28th & 29th as a qualification opportunity for Australian sailors interested in participating in the Worlds event. We hope to attract approximately 200 sailors to the Regatta with large participation expected from both Australia and New Zealand.

For updates and events please see the O’pen Skiff Organisation website (https://openskiff.org.au/). This is a great time for Aussie junior sailors to become involved with a growing international one design class!

For images from the event, click here.

Story by: Marnie Pascoe, Billie McCracken and Gerard Del Favero

Photos by: Kazushige Nakajima