First Tracks win TLC Healthcare Etchells Australasian Summer Championship
by Nicole Douglass 11 Jan 20:57 UTC
7-11 January 2026
Peter "Billy" Merrington, Ian McKillop and Tom Fountain have won the TLC Healthcare Etchells Australasian Summer Championship, the first part of the Festival of Sails 2026.
The event delivered classic Etchells racing, with a wide range of conditions, multiple race winners, and two full lay days due to gale-force winds underscoring the challenge of the series.
"Firstly, thanks to these guys, Ian and Tom, they've done an amazing job," said First Tracks skipper Peter "Billy" Merrington.
"Congratulations to the placegetters, Chris, Nigel and Jake, and Jeanne-Claude and her team. They gave us a good push as always, and the standard across the fleet was very high.
"I'd also like to thank Peter Walsh and the race management team for great work setting courses in tough conditions, and thanks to the club. Hopefully this becomes a very permanent regatta leading into the World Championship here in 2029."
They were presented with the Guyon Wilson Trophy by Guyon Wilson himself, a past Commodore, Life Member and long-time Etchells sailor.
Race Report
After an AP/1 delay to allow the breeze to settle, Race 1 got under way at 1400 in approximately 25 knots from 160 degrees on a 1.2 nautical mile Course 2. First Tracks (AUS1485) opened the regatta in style, taking the win ahead of Great White Hunter (AUS1483) in second and Tango (AUS1466) in third.
Race 2 was again sailed on Course 2, with a slight shift left to 155 degrees and around 20 knots at the start. The breeze eased to 12-15 knots during the race before rebuilding on the first lap. Flying Higher (AUS1518) claimed the win, followed by First Tracks in second and Tango in third, keeping the championship standings tightly compressed.
The final race of the day, Race 3, proved the most challenging as the breeze lightened further and shifted into the south-east. In the changing conditions, Flying Higher secured back-to-back victories, finishing ahead of Triad2020 (AUS1478) in second and Tango in third.
At the conclusion of Day One, First Tracks led the series on countback from Tango, with both boats tied on eight points. Flying Higher sat third on ten points, and just eleven points separated first through seventh.
Racing was abandoned on day two and three as gale-force winds swept through the race area, keeping the fleet ashore and compressing the remaining schedule. With the regatta reset after the enforced break, adaptability and consistency became key when racing resumed, with more than half the regatta to be sailed on the final day.
Race 4 resumed on Course 2 in 15-18 knots from 175 degrees. After a race defined by a significant shift and tactical positioning, Triad2020 delivered a commanding performance to take the win. Tiger (AUS1524) finished second, with Flying Higher securing third.
The breeze continued to build for Race 5, where First Tracks returned to the top step of the podium with a decisive win. Tiger followed in second, while Triad2020 added a third-place finish to maintain pressure on the leaders. The race also featured redress proceedings and a resolved port-starboard incident, further illustrating the intensity of the competition.
Race 6 was sailed on a 1.2 nautical mile course, initially set at 160 degrees in around 14 knots before shifting right to 170 degrees. With conditions favouring starboard gybes and tight racing across the fleet, First Tracks once again emerged on top, ahead of Flying Higher in second and Triad2020 in third.
Race 7 saw First Tracks deliver an authoritative performance, leading from start to finish to secure another race win. Tiger finished second, with Flying Higher rounding out the podium in third.
Full Awards List
1st - AUS1485 - First Tracks, Peter Merrington, Ian McKillop, Tom Fountain
2nd - AUS1524 - Tiger, Nigel Abbott, Chris Manton, Jake Newman
3rd - AUS1518 - Flying Higher, Jeanne-Claude Strong, Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton
Corinthian - AUS1488 - Matilda, Blake Robertson, Thomas & William Kelly
Masters - AUS1518 - Flying Higher, Jeanne-Claude Strong
First Female Helm - AUS1518 - Flying Higher, Jeanne-Claude Strong
Grand Masters - AUS1478 - Triad2020, John Bertrand AO
Half-way Prize - AUS 1449 - Ripping Yarns, Peter Bellingham, Gordon & Charlie Maguire
Thanks to TLC Healthcare, naming rights sponsor of the regatta, and the supporting sponsors Zhik and North Sails with prizes. Additionally, a big thank you to the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, the Race Management team and all of the volunteers who worked behind the scenes to make the event happen.
The Etchells class also invites all to the Victorian State Championship at Royal Brighton Yacht Club from 13-15 March 2026.
Full results available here.
More information on the Etchells Class: www.etchells.org.au
More information on the Festival of Sails: www.festivalofsails.com.au