Lazarus Capital Partners

Lazarus Capital Partners 18ft Skiff Racing Team

Lazarus is excited to continue our partnership with the 18 Footers League, giving our community of clients an association with one of Sydney Harbour’s most traditional and exciting sporting championships. We are excited to announce that a new crew will be flying the Lazarus flag this season. The team has posted victories in previous years 18ft Spring Championship, and are excited to join a partner committed to excellence on and off the water.

The Lazarus Capital Partners Racing Team is our contribution to a historical and prestigious institution in Australia—an endeavour which we invite our stakeholders to share in our successes and be a part of.

Read the article featuring Lazarus: 'Sponsors’ two-boat challenge in the 18 footers' by Frank Quealey 3rd November 2021 >

The 18ft skiff

The 18ft skiff is considered the fastest class of sailing skiffs. The class has a long history beginning with races on Sydney Harbour, Australia in 1892 and later in New Zealand. The team will be racing against a fleet of Olympic and national sailing champions in a variety of yachting classes. The 18ft skiff racing provides spectators both on the water and along the harbour foreshores with the world’s most spectacular carbon fibre racing.

Visit the 18-footers League website >

History of the 18-footers in Sydney

The 18-footers have raced on Sydney Harbour for over 120 years. They evolved from heavy wooden boats with a crew of 15 to the 3-person carbon fibre speed machines of today. The peak of their popularity was in the early 1920s and 1930s when thousands came out to watch the racing. It was as big as cricket or football is today. Those boats took a unique set of skills to manage. They carried ridiculous amounts of sail. Crew were ballast constantly working to keep the boat upright. One stray puff, or rogue wave, or miscalculation and it was all over for the afternoon.

Image: Christophe Favreau

Lazarus wins race 5 of the JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff World Championship 2026

During the long tack across the harbour to Taylors Bay, the fleet spread wide, but Lazarus quickly established a clear lead. Sailing flawlessly, the crew maintained their advantage at the bottom gates and successfully fended off early pressure from the trailing boats as they set off for the weather mark.

As the race entered its final stages, the chasing pack struggled to make up time. Although one rival made a strong late surge to close the gap to within ten seconds, a thrilling, high-speed run to the finish line allowed Lazarus to hold off the competition and secure an impressive six-second victory.

Lazarus wins the 2026 Balmain Cup

Lazarus Capital Partners secured the 2026 Balmain Cup on Sydney Harbour after a demanding three-race series. Facing a challenging 20-knot northeasterly wind, the Australian 18 Footers League fleet struggled with the conditions, leading to several capsizes even before the start.

The heavy winds forced race officials to shorten the final two races from two laps to one. The competitive series saw three different winners across the three heats. However, the Lazarus team—consisting of Tom Cunich, Marc Chapon, and Rory Cox—took the overall title with a total of 9 points, following two fourth-place finishes and a victory in the final race.

2022 Mark Foy Trophy Champions on Lake Garda in Italy

Lazarus congratulates our skipper Marcus Ashley-Jones, and fellow crew on winning the 2022 Mark Foy Trophy international 18 footer skiff regatta contested on Lake Garda, Italy. It was the 14th regatta of the championship series.

Sydney Harbour’s most traditional and exciting sporting championship.