Juliet Costanzo, Sarah Parker, Evelyn Foster, Jemma Hodgson & Rosie Rowell have been crowned John Messenger and Australian Women’s Match Racing Champions this weekend, hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. Juliet has reclaimed both trophies for the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.
“It has been such a fantastic weekend at the CYCA. I have to thank my team who did an amazing job throughout the event and it’s an honour to receive the John Messenger Trophy and win the Nationals this year.” Commented Juliet following racing.
The event is dedicated after CYCA Member John Messenger, who was a passionate supporter of both women and youth sailing at the Club and first introduced the regatta in 1996. Since its inception, the event has risen in stature, changed from a fleet racing competition to match racing, and over the years seen many high profile teams compete.
This year’s event was also special as the CYCA was appointed as hosts of the Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship. Both events returning to the sailing calendar after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
Today saw a delay in racing to kick off the knockout stages. Overnight, Juliet Costanzo chose Charlotte Griffin for the semi-finals leaving Chelsea Williams and Brooke Wilson to race in the other.
Both Juliet and Chelsea advanced quickly to the Finals, dispatching the two Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron teams 2 – 0, in a shortened series.
In the Finals, the underdogs from CYCA, took the opening race and sailed well throughout the entire series. However it was the experience and skill of the RPAYC team which eventually took out the title 3 – 1.
In the Petit Final, Brooke Wilson beat Charlotte Griffin 2 – 0 to claim the bronze medal in the Championship.
With Juliet Costanzo having already received an invitation to the Women’s Match Racing World Championship, runners-up, Chelsea Williams now gains entry to the World Championship in Auckland in just over a weeks’ time.
Original article written by CYCA. Click here for the full post.
