The Kitchen Maker 18ft skiff team to return for 2026-27 season

The Australian 18 Footers League’s Sydney Harbour fleet will see the return of a regular competitive trio for the 2026-27 season. Skipper Jordan Girdis, Josh Feldmann (sheet), and Jacob Broom (bow) are reuniting to crew The Kitchen Maker skiff after a two-year hiatus taken for family reasons.

This return marks a reunion between Girdis and sponsor Darren McKavanagh, owner of The Kitchen Maker. McKavanagh’s sponsorship of the league is a continuous partnership spanning 17 seasons. The team previously sailed together on the Fisher & Paykel skiff during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.

Girdis, who also serves as Commodore of the Australian 18 Footers League, noted that the time away has reignited the team's passion for the sport. He also highlighted an influx of young talent entering the fleet this season, stating the team intends to remain competitive against the newer, youthful teams.