Australian Sailing is pleased to announce that the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) will host the 2028 Australian Yachting Championships (AYC), marking the event's return to Sydney for the first time since 2017.

The 2028 event will be run in conjunction with the Southern Cross Cup, which will bring together the AYC and the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, showcasing the depth and diversity of the world’s keelboat racing talent at one of Australia's premier sailing venues, before taking on one of sailing’s most iconic events.

In a further commitment to the long-term growth and profile of the Australian Yachting Championships, Australian Sailing and the CYCA have agreed to a six-year hosting partnership, with the Club also set to host the event in 2030 and 2032.

The arrangement will see the AYC return to the CYCA every two years, while the intervening editions (2029 and 2031) will rotate among clubs across Australia through an Expressions of Interest process. This model provides certainty for competitors, event partners and hosts, while ensuring the event continues to showcase sailing venues and clubs across the country.

Australian Sailing CEO Malcolm Page OAM said the agreement represented an exciting new chapter for the AYC.

"We're delighted to bring the Australian Yachting Championships back to Sydney for the first time in more than a decade. The CYCA has a proven track record of delivering world-class events, and incorporating the Championships into the lead-up to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race creates an outstanding opportunity for competitors, clubs and the broader sailing community."

"This partnership gives the Championships a strong and consistent home every second year while preserving the opportunity for clubs across Australia to host the event. It strikes the right balance between stability and ensuring the Australian Yachting Championships continue to celebrate the breadth of sailing around the country."

CYCA CEO Justine Kirkjian said securing the Australian Yachting Championships added another prestigious event to the Club’s sailing calendar.

“We are thrilled to again host the Australian Yachting Championships and thank Australian Sailing for the opportunity to welcome the event back to the CYCA in 2028, 2030 and 2032,” Kirkjian said.

“Our racing calendar already features some of the country’s most iconic sailing events, led by the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The addition of the Australian Yachting Championships, and in 2028 the Southern Cross Cup, further enhances the high-quality racing opportunities we provide for owners and competitors, both on Sydney Harbour and offshore.”

Further details regarding the Southern Cross Cup will be released by the CYCA next month.

First held in 2000 under the IRC Australian Championships banner, the event has become Australian Sailing's premier annual championship for offshore and keelboat racing, bringing together the nation's leading sailors across a range of classes and divisions. You can read more about the event history here, and see the past champions here.

Entries are open for the 2027 AYC which will be run in conjunction with the Festival of Sails, hosted by the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, from 22-26 January 2027.

Media Contact:
Michael Martin
Head of Marketing and Communications, Australian Sailing
0414 823 820
michael.martin@sailing.org.au