Sailability Auckland, in partnership with Ponsonby Cruising Club and Burnsco, has successfully concluded the Burnsco 2026 SKUD 18 International Match Race Challenge, held on the Waitematā Harbour from 20-22 February 2026. The event marked a world first: an international match racing regatta for the high-performance SKUD 18 class, featuring integrated crews of disabled and ablebodied sailors. Ten teams from New Zealand, Australia and the United States competed.
What began as a simple idea quickly became a powerful reality. This regatta showed that the Paralympic dream for sailing is not just possible, but achievable.
The competition highlighted the skill, tactics, and resilience of sailors competing side by side on a truly level playing field.
www.sailabilityauckland.org.nz
https://www.facebook.com/CityofSailsSailability
The regatta was made possible by the support of volunteers, the wider sailing community, and sponsors including Burnsco, First Mates Last Laugh, Milner Mobility, PerMobil, and others-demonstrating the growing strength of inclusive sailing.
2026 podium finishers
1ST PLACE:
Graham Hook & Darrell Smith
– TBBC, NZL
2ND PLACE:
Naomi Ooue & Joe Thompson
– SYC, AUS
3RD PLACE:
Neil Rowsthorn & Jack Wallace
– SYC, AUS
