THE OFFICIAL HOME OF THE NZ TEAM SAILING ASSOCIATION
The Interdominion Championship showcases the best of New Zealand and Australian secondary schools team sailing. A proud trans-Tasman rivalry, it brings top teams together to compete in high-level, fast-paced racing.
2026 Secondary Schools Team Sailing Interdominion Regatta
Date: TBC
Location: Royal Akarana Yacht Club, New Zealand
The ultimate trans-Tasman rivalry...
Interdominion Championship History
The Interdominion Championship is a long-standing rivalry between New Zealand and Australia, bringing together top secondary school team sailing talent from both countries.
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The first contest took place in 1984, when Auckland Grammar School travelled to Brisbane to compete against two local teams. Sailed in 420 class yachts, the inaugural event was won by Brisbane A, who claimed the Epiglass Shield.
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In 1985, Macleans College, fresh off winning the New Zealand National Championships, travelled to Sydney to race against Sydney Grammar School in Northbridge Senior 14-foot yachts. Macleans won the series, marking an early success for New Zealand.
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The event was first hosted in New Zealand in 1986 at Takapuna, sailed in Sunburst yachts.
Building a Trans-Tasman Tradition
The development of the Interdominion was made possible through the support of Healing Industries (Epiglass), who played a key role in establishing secondary schools team sailing in both New Zealand and provincial Australia. Their sponsorship of the event continued for 17 years, helping to build a strong and enduring competition.
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Today, the Interdominion is an annual event, hosted alternately by New Zealand and Australia (with no contests held in 2004 and 2012). Equipment varies by location, with Pacer yachts typically used in Australia, while New Zealand initially used Sunbursts before transitioning to 420 class boats following the ISAF Team Racing World Championships in Auckland in 2003.
​Evolving the Format
The event has continued to grow and evolve over time. In 2006, New Zealand hosted an expanded format that included the top three Open teams from each country. This move aimed to deepen the talent pool and lift the overall standard of team sailing in the Southern Hemisphere, strengthening competition against northern nations.
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Growth of Girls’ Team Sailing
In 2009, the first dedicated girls’ Interdominion contest was introduced. Moreton Bay Girls’ School, the only girls’ team to qualify for the Australian Nationals, competed against Napier Girls’ High School, New Zealand’s top girls’ team.
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Building on this momentum, 2010 saw the introduction of the NZ Invitational Girls’ Schools Team Sailing Championships, run alongside the Interdominion. The event featured two Australian teams and four New Zealand teams, creating a six-team competition to match the Open division.
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By 2018, the girls’ competition had grown further, with three teams from each country competing—highlighting the continued rise and strength of girls’ team sailing across both nations.
