The RC Laser NSW Championship 2025 has been rescheduled due to an event conflict.
The date is now 30th November 2025 at Dobroyd Aquatic Club, Rodd Point, Sydney.
Entry is by the NSWRYA website, below.
NSW Radio Yachting Association
PARKING: Being a Sunday, parking is available within the Red areas, please leave space near the gate for access for Council vehicles.
We now have available for sale these locking devices – designed and produced by Dan Bergan. Say goodbye to lost keels and lost rudders – well, at least make ’em damn hard to get dislodged. Available now for sale!
Filmed and edited by John Porter (RCL #357)
Thank-you John – great work!
On Saturday 30th August and Sunday 31st August 2025, the Australian RC Laser Championship was held in Sydney NSW at the Dobroyd Aquatic Club in the suburb of Rodd Point.
There are four videos of the racing component of the event split by day and then morning and afternoon sessions. Video 1 contains races 1 to 7 (Saturday morning), video 2 contains races 8 to 18 (Saturday afternoon), video 3 contains races 19 to 21 (Sunday morning) and video 4 contains races 22 to 35 (Sunday afternoon).
A fifth video showing the General Recalls has also been released.
All videos are available for viewing on YouTube.
Please note, that some of the recorded audio tracks includes the sound of a party at the sailing club. The audio on one video has been removed and replaced with music, however, as the focus is on sailing, the other videos have been left “as is”.
Below are the links to the videos together with the time of each race in the video timeline.
Saturday morning session of the 2025 Australian RC Laser National Championships.
Races can be viewed at the following times in the video timeline:
Race 1 00:13
Race 2 07:01
Race 3 14.08
Race 4 22:08
Race 5 26:47
Race 6 33:12
Race 7 39:34
Saturday afternoon session of the 2025 Australian RC Laser National Championships.
Races can be viewed at the following times in the video timeline:
Race 8 00:10
Race 9 18:00
Race 10 16:00
Race 11 22:20
Race 12 28:41
Race 13 35:30
Race 14 42:52
Race 15 49:38
Race 16 56:27
Race 17 1:02:36
Race 18 1:09:43
Sunday morning session of the 2025 Australian RC Laser National Championships. Races 19 to 21.
Races can be viewed at the following times in the video timeline:
Race 19 00:11
Race 20 09:35
Race 21 18:40
Sunday afternoon session of the 2025 Australian RC Laser National Championships.
Races can be viewed at the following times in the video timeline:
Race 22 00:10
Race 23 07:50
Race 24 15:23
Race 25 22:40
Race 26 30:56
Race 27 37:30
Race 28 43:43
Race 29 50:08
Race 30 56:45
Race 31 1:03:09
Race 32 1:09:55
Race 33 1:16:30
Race 34 1:22:48
Race 35 1:28:59
General Recalls
World Champion – ILCA Legends
Formia, Italy
Overnight, Dobroyd RC Laser Sailor Rob Lowndes was crowned the International Laser Class Association World Champion at Formia, Italy
https://jpvm.org/results/2025/ILCA_Masters/Results_Bravo.html#summaryilca_6_legends
Congratulation Rob, an outstanding achievement!
The 2025 Australian RC Laser Championship was held on 30th and 31st August at Dobroyd Aquatic Club, Sydney.
Fourteen Sailors from three States competed in a very testing event. This included Daniel Bergan, the current National champion from Queensland and Grant Gillespie from Victoria. The quality of the Fleet was of a high standard. A Fleet well worthy of a National Event.
Day one saw very strong Westerly winds which had gusts peaking at 64Km/Hr., 34 Knots. We completed 18 races in the programmed time. The Champion, Daniel, emerged in the early races on the first day, as he commenced his run to retain his title. Early contenders were Phil Stevenson, Graham Brown, Robin Tickner Rob Lowndes, Martin Thearle, Noel McPherson, Grant Gillespie and Peter Burton, all of whom were in with good chances.
Unfortunately, Rob Lowndes who had reached 5th spot, was forced to withdraw due to unrepairable hull and electronic issues. Peter Burton who was an earlier top 3 contender, had to withdrawal with similar problems.
Day 2 saw a completely different scene with a light to moderate Westerly at the start and a gently developing Nor’Easter for the last few races.
This range of weathers is ideal for a Championship as it tests Sailors in all conditions, the best way to select a Champion.
Day 2’s morning briefing was brief, and racing commenced close to time. We completed 17 races by 4:00pm to wrap up the event.
The start of day 2 saw Daniel increase his lead and the result thereafter was never in doubt. The contest became a challenge between Graham Brown, Phil Stevenson and Robin Tickner to secure the two remaining places on the podium. Martin Thearle, Noel McPherson and Grant Gillespie were in the wings and ready to pounce. Unfortunately equipment failures struck again. Noel McPherson, who was currently sitting in 7th position was forced to withdraw due to electronic issues.
Every Sailor earned a place, or several, over the weekend with the wins spreading well over the score sheet. Moments of glory for all.
The firsts were dominated by Daniel Bergan with 17 overall. Graham Brown won 4, Phil Stevenson 5, Robin Tickner 3, Martin Thearle 2, Judy Evans 1, Noel McPherson 1 and Rob Lowndes 2. A win in a National Championship race is an achievement in itself.
The RC Lasers Australian Champion for 2025 is Daniel Bergan. He retains his position as number 1. Daniel scored 48 points.
Second place went to Graham Brown scoring 106 points.
Third place going to Phil Stevenson scoring 114 points. Robin Tickner 115 points.
The presentation ceremony followed the racing.
Phil, Daniel, Graham, Brian
We had great support from Dobroyd Aquatic Club throughout the weekend. In particular from our President, Greg McInnes, who opened on day one and spoke with great commendation of the RC Laser Fleet. Greg also acknowledged the pride the Club holds in hosting a National Event. Earlier support for our planning also came from our Commodore, Geoff Wilson and the DAC Committee.
I also wish to thank the ARYA who provided our trophies, and with NSWRYA, assisted in the preparation and planning of our event. Thank you to Canada Bay Council who approved our parking areas. Greatly needed on a very busy weekend.
Cliff Bromiley, an RC Sailor and the National distributor of our boats and equipment, addressed the gathering. Cliff recently sponsored our renewed Perpetual Trophy. He spoke on the history and early days of the RC Laser. He, along with Paul Derwent, began our RC sailing in Australia some 20 years ago.
Trophies were presented to Daniel Bergan, Graham Brown and Phil Stevenson. Daniel spoke of his early days with the RC Laser and his climb to number 1, a long haul and I’m sure you will agree, well deserved.
The Award for the Grand Master, RC Lasers, was presented to Geoff Lucas (#53). Geoff scored a second place in race 33 and had several finishes in the front half of the Fleet.
The Award for the Master, RC Lasers was presented to Noel McPherson (#65). Noel won race 17 and scored well with 2 places.
Special thanks go to John Porter who, as in the past, videoed all our racing. Details for the YouTube items will follow at a later date.
Thank you to Trevor Bowden who manned the tender. This made possible speedy rescues when needed and course setting and adjustments.
Observers, Philip Hetherington and Ken Woodward, (day 2), were very quick to put their hands up and volunteer. Their jobs were made easier by all Sailors who sailed “honourably” throughout the series.
Very much appreciated by all on both days of our racing was my wife Rhonda Chapman. Rhonda planned, organised, collected and served the catering for our lunches with the warm professionalism she always delivers.
I have had such great encouragement from all Sailors and the Volunteers above, in particular Graham Brown. Every idea from the outset was discussed with him and analysed to provide the best outcome.
A successful Championship.
Cheers,
Brian Chapman.