YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
EVANS BAY , WELLINGTON NZ
RPAYC PLACE 2ND IN WELLINGTON
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 therefore have to return back to the start . This error , compounded
The team knew that they were quick and that they had to get to the early right hand side of the track . 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 early 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 .
George Anyon ( RNZYS ) defeated Oakley Marsh ( RPNYC ) 2-1 in the other semi , and thus proceeded to the finals to race against Sarah Parker ( RPAYC )
The first race saw Anyon get a better start and carry a 6 length lead around the top mark . The team , however , did not give up and put in a great battle , doing great sets and drops , helping them close the gap considerably . By the final leg , another great set saw them only two lengths behind and “ 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 buy 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 .
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 rights to go around the bottom mark . The umpires signalled a green flag , meaning no penalty , and we were forced again to live 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 .
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 and team combinations , which shows the strength of the current squad .
Next week we go to Auckland to compete in the Nesspresso 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 your continued support of the Youth Development program .
52 YACHTSMAN