Sailability Auckland, working alongside the Ponsonby Cruising Club and Burnsco, has wrapped up a genuinely historic event on the Waitematā Harbour. The Burnsco 2026 SKUD 18 International Match Race Challenge, held from 20 to 22 February 2026, earned the distinction of being the world's first international match racing regatta built specifically around the high-performance SKUD 18 class, with crews made up of both disabled and able-bodied sailors competing together.
Ten crews representing New Zealand, Australia, and the United States took to the water for the inaugural competition, making it an international affair from the outset.
Paul Wager of Sailability Auckland reflected on how the event came together. "What started as a simple conversation, 'Let's get some SKUDs in the water with crews of integrated sailors', quickly became a reality," he said. "This event was more than just a regatta; it was a powerful statement that the Paralympic dream for sailing is not just a possibility, but a tangible reality we are actively making happen."
Racing on the Waitematā showed what becomes possible when the playing field is genuinely levelled. Able-bodied and disabled teams competing side by side produced sailing of high quality, with tactics, skill, and resilience all on full display across the three days.
When the results were tallied, three crews stood on the podium:
🏆 1st Place & Champions: Graham Hook & Darrell Smith – TBBC – NZL 🥈 2nd Place: Naomi Ooue & Joe Thompson – SYC – AUS 🥉 3rd Place: Neil Rowsthorn & Jack Wallace – SYC – AUS
None of it would have been possible without a broad coalition of volunteers and supporters from across the sailing community who committed themselves to turning the concept into something real. Sponsors including Burnsco, First Mates Last Laugh, Milner Mobility, PerMobil, and others have become genuine partners in the cause, their involvement a clear sign that backing for inclusive sailing has reached a new level of momentum.
Sailability Auckland is a non-profit organisation dedicated to enriching the lives of people with disabilities through sailing. The organisation provides an inclusive environment where people of all abilities can experience the freedom of being on the water.
