SKUD18 Match Racing breaks new ground in New Zealand

Delivered by Sailability Auckland in partnership with Ponsonby Cruising Club, the event was the first international match racing competition for the SKUD18 class, bringing together integrated crews of Para and able-bodied sailors competing side by side.  

Ten teams from New Zealand, Australia and the United States took to the Waitematā Harbour, showcasing not only high-performance racing, but the true potential of inclusive competition at an elite level.  

The match racing format delivered tight, tactical racing throughout the regatta, reinforcing the adaptability of the SKUD18 as a platform where skill, decision-making and teamwork are the defining factors.  

New Zealand’s Graham Hook and Darrell Smith claimed victory, with Australia’s Naomi Ooue and Joe Thompson finishing second, and Neil Rowsthorn and Jack Wallace securing third place.  

Beyond the results, the event was a clear statement of intent – demonstrating that inclusive sailing can deliver high-performance, spectator-friendly formats while maintaining fairness and accessibility. It also formed part of the wider momentum building towards the reinstatement of sailing within the Paralympic Games, showing what is already possible when the sport is given the right platform.  

As the community continues to explore future competition formats, events like this provide valuable, real-world evidence, ensuring that decisions are grounded in experience, innovation and the voices of the sailors themselves.