The 2026 Victorian RC Laser State Championships were held over the weekend of May 2–3 at the picturesque Portland Yacht Club, attracting a strong and diverse fleet from across the country. Notably, current National Champion Daniel Bergan made the trip down from Queensland, while other competitors travelled from Adelaide, Melbourne, Geelong and Colac to compete.
Day 1 – Saturday, May 2
Sailors were met with an unseasonably warm day and a powerful northerly wind that rarely dipped below 20 knots and frequently pushed into the 30-knot range, with a peak gust recorded at an impressive 45 knots. These conditions made the use of “D” rigs a sensible choice across the fleet—and even then, simply getting around the course was a challenge.
Racing began on the outer course at the end of the Town Jetty, where the first four races were completed in demanding, choppy-water conditions. The severity of the breeze was underlined by the fact that two boats were de-masted during the day, a clear indication of just how punishing the gusts were. As conditions continued to deteriorate, RO Geoff Beacham made the call to relocate to the inner course, sheltered by the marina. This provided flatter water and led to closer, more tactical racing.
Despite the tough conditions, several sailors managed to claim individual race wins. Peter Murfett took out Race 4, while Harry Molenaar won Race 7.
A standout feature of the day was the exceptional performance of Grant Gillespie, who sailed brilliantly in the heavy air. Displaying superb control, smart decision-making, and remarkable consistency, Gillespie handled the extreme conditions better than anyone else in the fleet. While others struggled to keep their boats upright and limit costly errors, he repeatedly delivered top results and built a clear advantage.
With the breeze abating slightly for the last race of the day, Adam Chambers made the bold switch to the larger “C” rig which proved a master stroke and he went on to take the win.
At the end of a gruelling day, Gillespie held a well-earned lead on 20 points. Behind him, current National Champion Daniel Bergan and Brad Hein were tied on 25 points, with Bergan sitting second on countback.
Day 2 – Sunday, May 3
Sunday brought a welcome change, with lighter winds ranging from 8 to 15 knots and gusts into the 20’s. The breeze gradually shifted from north to northwest, creating a more tactical style of racing.
The fleet started the day on “B” rigs before transitioning to “C” rigs as the wind and water conditions strengthened. The RO adjusted the course during the day to suit the shift of wind direction. Nine races were completed, bringing the regatta total to 20.
Among the day’s highlights, Darren Cathie claimed victory in Race 13 after capitalising on a westerly shift before the start, hitting the line at full speed and crossing the fleet on a Port tack.
Adam Chambers bounced back strongly after a difficult opening day, delivering an outstanding performance in the more moderate conditions. Winning four races on Day 2, he surged up the leaderboard and re-established himself as a major contender.
Brad Hein came into his own on Day 2, claiming podium positions in all 9 races. He sailed with consistency, managing the changing in wind directions and strength throughout the session that saw him steadily move up the leaderboard.
In the final race when the breeze unexpectedly intensified, Grant Gillespie proved once again his dominance in the stronger winds. When other boats were nose-diving, Grant kept control and skipped away from the fleet to win the race by half a lap.
By the end of the series, Brad secured overall victory with 39 points. Grant Gillespie, after his dominant opening day, finished second on 55 points, while Daniel Bergan completed the podium in third on 58 points.
Overall
The championship showcased the medium to high range spectrum of RC Laser racing—from survival sailing in extreme winds to finely balanced tactical contests in medium airs. The race team managed the challenging conditions expertly, ensuring a full and competitive series.
Congratulations to Brad Hein on claiming the state title, and special recognition to Grant Gillespie for a superb and commanding Day 1 performance in some of the toughest conditions seen at this event.
A sincere thank you to the scorers, rescue boat crew, RO Geoff Beacham, and everyone else who contributed their time and effort to make the event such a success.
