Congratulations to Zac West with his team Jameson Prescott, James Hayhoe, Emily Keg, Brooke Wilson, (RSYS), 29th Champion of the HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship 2023.
In a thrilling final between Ben Tylecote from GBR representing Rutland Sailing Club and Zac West from AUS representing the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, West took the first 2 wins in a best-of-five finals showdown. Tylecote returned with true determination in a neck-and-neck race to take race 3. Race 4 had both teams switching positions, West with a 2-point lead only needed 1 more race win to take the championship. Every decision counted!
West inched ahead to take the win and the celebrations started!
Both West and Tylecote fought hard throughout today’s races winning by the smallest of margins through their respective Semi-Final matches with straight wins against Frewin from NZL and Kemp from Australia to make it to the final.
Pittwater stayed true to its form making racing tricky for all competitors with its flickty weather. Competition was close across all teams with the smallest of errors costing them the win.
Principle Race Officer, Ted Anderson claimed the 29th Harken International Youth Championship as his best event ever, not from just the skill of the teams, the quality of umpires, and his champion team on water but from the comradery and mateship of all involved in the event.
Chief Umpire Richard Slater who umpires America Cup events, Sail GP and advisers many classes on rules stated that “Umpiring for the Harken Event this week with his fellow umpires has been an absolute joy, all the teams showed exceptional sportsmanship, took on our feedback and rulings without dispute. Truly made it a pleasure to be a part of the event”.
Harken Managing Director Australasia Grant Pellew with his daughter Chloe assisted with presenting the top 3 placegetters with this year’s awards. Pellew said “It was great to see you all competing today, each year the level of competition grows and to see new countries compete has been fantastic. “Harken has been supporting this event for 24 years, with the event in 2024 the 30th and Harken’s 25th year of support it’s going to be bigger and better”.
RPAYC Commodore, Robert McClelland presented the Rockin’-Robin Perptual Trophy’ on behalf of Robyn Wiltshire. Robyn specifically sent her best wishes to congratulate all competitors, and, to toast our newest Champion.
The 2023 Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship is wrapped up for another year and what an amazing week we’ve had here in Pittwater.
Thank you to the Race Management team for making the event possible and to the umpires and competitors who’ve travelled far and wide to be a part of the event.
Congratulations again to Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron for their win and to the rest of the competitors. The standard of racing this week was extremely high and the calibre of talent in the teams was amazing.
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club looks forward to seeing you all again next year for the 30th edition of the Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship.
2023 Overall Places
10th Place: Hugo Butterworth (AUS)
Bayley Taylor
Walter Tuite
Josh Paulson
Annabelle Sampson
9th Place: Mia Lovelady (AUS) Matilda Rowell
Rosie Rowell
Drina Bucktin
Sophie Townes
8th Place: Rory Sims (NZL)
Ella Arnold
Ethan Fong
Harry McMullen
Sam Scott
7th Place: Richard Rychlik Jr (CAN)
Jack Porter
Cameron Bruce
Rachel Green
Josh Hyde
6th Place: Nicolas Bernal (BRA)
Marcos Arndt
Bruna Patricio
Carolina Witsiers
Gabriel Michaelis
5th Place: Tom Higgins (IRL)
Jamie McMahon
Fiona Ferguson
Xavier McLachlan
Riley Evans
4th Place: Jack Frewin (NZL)
Oliver Gilmour
Oliver Lloyd
Sofia Higgott
3rd Place: Daniel Kemp (AUS)
William Hough
Lachlan Wallace
Charlie Verity
Isabella Holdsworth
2nd Place: Ben Tylecote (GBR) Freya Pembury
Jamie Tylecote
Finian Morris
Terry Hacker
1st Place &
Champions Zac West
Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (AUS) Jameson Prescott
James Hayhoe
Emily Keg
Katina Casimaty
The HARKEN Youth Match Racing Championship is not only a platform to foster and nurture young talent in sailing but also an opportunity to uphold the spirit of healthy competition. The event encourages camaraderie and sportsmanship among the participants.
Visit the website to view the full lineup of teams and umpires: www.intyouthmatchracingchampionship.com
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Images: Credit Alex Dare – Tidal Media Australia for Down Under Sail.
