85 skiffs, 200 sailors and $35,000 in prize money on the line as Manly 16ft Skiff Club hosts one of the sport's most historic events

Manly Cove will come alive on Saturday 17 October as the Manly 16ft Skiff Club hosts the Port Jackson Championship, one of the most iconic events on the 16ft Skiff sailing calendar, with 85 skiffs and 200 sailors set to take to Sydney Harbour.

The Port Jackson Championship carries a rich history dating back to 1949/50, when it was run by the Port Jackson Club, which sailed on the main harbour near the Sydney Harbour Bridge and was the first club to sail 16ft skiffs. When that club folded after the 1954/55 season, the NSW 16ft Skiff Association organised the event for two seasons before Manly 16s took over the running of the Championship from 1957/58. In 2023, the Manly 16ft Skiff Club revived the event as a highlight of its racing calendar.

Port Jackson Championships - Sail Media

Mass start, live streaming and a harbour spectacle

Spectators are welcome inside the Club for lunch before the mass start, scheduled for 1.30pm adjacent to the Skiff Club. Sail-Media will stream the race live on YouTube and on the Club's big screens (link to be provided).

The fleet will race down the harbour, sailing past landmarks including the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge — a spectacle that captures the spirit of the sport.

Where Olympic champions race against weekend warriors

There is nowhere else in the world where Olympic and international-class sailors mix with weekend warriors for consistently close, boat-on-boat racing against the spectacular backdrop of Sydney Harbour.

Last year's fleet featured four Olympic Gold Medallists, including 2010 World Sailor of the Year Tom Slingsby, who crewed for the Club's current champion, 22-year-old Zoe Dransfield, taking out the win on scratch alongside 20-year-old Jamie Stodart. The hand-to-hand combat racing — combined with the star power of Slingsby and three other Olympic sailors in the fleet — kept viewers enthralled right to the finish.

"I feel really privileged to have had the opportunity to sail with Slingers. He's obviously an incredible sailor but also super humble and encouraged us to contribute to the tactical decisions too," Zoe said.

Celebrations and $35,000 in prizemoney

Racing is expected to conclude around 5.30pm, when the community is invited to join the sailors back at the Club to celebrate this year's winners, with $35,000 in prizemoney to be awarded.

Event details

• What: Port Jackson Championship
• When: Saturday 17 October 2026 — rigging from morning, mass start 1.30pm, racing concludes approx. 5.30pm, presentation to follow
• Where: Manly 16ft Skiff Club, East and West Esplanade, Manly Cove
• Who: 85 skiffs, 200 sailors, including Olympic and international-class competitors racing alongside club sailors
• Livestream: Sail-Media, via YouTube and on the Club's big screens (link to be provided)

Media contact: Sally Darmanin Publicity, Manly Skiff Club Sail@manlyskiffs.com.au

WORDS: Sally Darmanin

PICTURES: Sail Media