Sarah Parker takes Second Place in New Zealand
Sarah Parker and her team of Will
Dargaville, James Farquarson and
Clare Costanzo placed 2nd in a tough
youth match racing regatta sailed in
Wellington: Report by Tom Spithill.
The semi-finals got under way in a
moderate southerly breeze. The racing
was set up in Evans Bay right behind the
airport. It was a beautiful race track with
nice flat water and constant breeze.
As the leader from round robin, we got
to choose who to race in our semis and
selected Eliza Wilkinson for RPNYC. In
the first race, an unforced error off the
start line saw us jump the gun and have
to return back to the start. This error,
coupled with a favourable right hand
shift saw Wilkinson take a convincing
win. The team knew that they were quick
and that they had to get to the right
hand side of the track. The next two
races the team improved on the upwind
speed and strategy and sailed on to take
the next two races, leading around all
marks.
another great set saw them only two
lengths behind a“flying” Anyon on the
downwind. As the boats approached the
finish line, Parker surged at the line for a
photo finish but just lost to Anyon by the
smallest of margins.
In the next race, both boats got off to an
even start, with Anyon showing a slight
speed edge upwind. On the downwinds
we managed to close the gaps, however
it was not enough.
For the final race, another similar
start saw the boats get off to an even
start with Anyon this time starting to
windward of Parker. Anyon managed to
“live” to windward quite well and had a
better trim set up and was able to take
us by the port tack lay line .
George Anyon (RNZYS) defeated Oakley
Marsh (RPNYC) 2-1 in the other semi,
and proceeded to the finals to race
against Sarah Parker (RPAYC.)
On the downwind we made a big
comeback, and managed to get in touch
with him at the bottom mark. With both
boats arguing over who had the right to
go around the bottom mark, the umpires
signalled a green flag, meaning no
penalty and we were forced again to sail
in dirty air going upwind. The damage
was done on the final upwind giving
Anyon a big lead, which he hung onto to
take the win and the regatta.
The first race saw Anyon get a better
start and carry a six length lead around
the top mark. The team, however, did not
give up and put in a great battle, doing
great sets and drops which helped close
the gap considerably. By the final leg,
I am very proud of the team who sailed
a very good regatta. Whilst they are
obviously disappointed to not take the
win, they came off the water knowing
they did their best and were beaten by
the better team on the day.
This marks the third consecutive youth
regatta where RPAYC has reached the
finals. Those three regattas have had
three different helmsman/helmswomen
& team combinations, which shows the
strength of the current squad.
Next week we go to Auckland to
compete in the Nespresso International
Youth Match Racing Regatta where we
will have two teams competing.
Thank you again to The Royal Prince
Alfred Yacht Club and its Members for
yo