News

Event Overview and Preparations
Three days prior to the start of this year's Eddie Cowell Regatta, South East Queensland was affected by heavy rainfall leading up to Thursday night. Although the weather forecast for the Sunshine Coast indicated that conditions would improve over the weekend, event organizers took swift action to ensure everyone's safety. Additional gazebos were purchased, safety ropes were installed along the slope leading to the water's edge, and wet areas on the bank used for parking were cordoned off to prevent accidents.

Day 1: Friday, August 22
The first day began with a dense mist, which soon cleared to reveal blue skies and some sunshine. The wind was slow to develop, resulting in racing that started in light and variable conditions. A total of 49 International One Metre (IOM) yachts were entered, and they were divided into four fleets with a system of six advancing and six dropping down. The Sunshine Coast Radio Sailing Club (SCRSC) utilized standard HMS scoring combined with Andrew Croker's Fleetboard system for the management of the four fleets. Two 50-inch monitors were set up—one displaying scores and the other managing the fleets under the control of a Fleet Marshall. This was the first time SCRSC have used this technology, and it was well received by both competitors and officials. At the end of Day 1 Sean Wallis (AUS71) was on 11 points, Paul Jones (AUS48) on 12 points & Doug Allen (AUS72) & Gary McCarthy (AUS181) tied on 14 points. 

Day 2: Saturday, August 23
Day 2 conditions mirrored those of day one, with slight improvement throughout the day. Racing was highly competitive as you would expect from the field of experienced skippers, including 8 entries from New Zealand & others from WA, Victoria, NSW & Qld.  After more serious racing Paul Jones (AUS48) and Sean Wallis (AUS71) were tied on 20 points with New Zealander Philip Pryde (NZL23) third on 21 points – a very close contest !

Day 3: Sunday, August 24
Sunday's stronger winds (7–9 knots, gusts up to 13) made for engaging racing as conditions shifted between southwest and southeast. All skippers used A rigs, with some experiencing nose dives. The competition between Paul Jones, Phillip Pryde, and Sean Wallis was close, with Jones (AUS48) winning on 28 points, followed by Pryde (NZL23) with 31, and Wallis (AUS71) with 33.

Philip Pryde (NZL23) placed first in the Masters division, while Graham Clough (NZL81) won the Grand Masters Division.

Organisers commended both competitors' sportsmanship and the efforts of over 20 SCRSC volunteers, including the catering crew feeding 80 people each day.

 Sunshine Coast Radio Sailing Club are excited to announce they will host the Australian IOM National Championships alongside the Eddie Cowell Perpetual Trophy Regatta in 2026. More information will be available in due course.