Dodging typhoons, tsunami warnings, and torrential rain, six members from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) sailing team faced challenging conditions and strong winds at the 2026 Tasar World Championships.

In addition to engagement with the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF), this event brought together some of the best Tasar sailors in the world to test their skills across a series of 11 races.

This provided the ADF sailors with an opportunity to challenge themselves against elite international competition, strengthen ties with allied partners and showcase their professionalism and determination on an international stage.

Held in Okinawa, Japan, this sailing competition included 116 boats from Germany, the United States, Netherlands, Japan and Australia competing against each other throughout the week.

The ADF fielded three boats broken up into single service crews from Navy (Lieutenant Commander Kirstin Norris and Lieutenant Ingrid Vinot), Army (Warrant Officer Class Two Patrick Black and Craftsman Lachlan Weatley) and Air Force (Flight Lieutenant Marcus Livingstone and Officer Cadet Kalin John), with Navy taking out the win for the military division of the event.

Craftsman Weatley, of 6th Aviation Regiment, describes it as “one of the most challenging and rewarding regattas of my sailing career”. 

The engagement provided an opportunity to learn about each other's defence forces, as well as demonstrating the unique opportunities and competitive representation through sports available for members within the ADF.