For the ten teams competing in the compasscard Australian Women's Match Racing Championship, yesterday's training session conducted on the Youth Sailing Academy's Elliott 6.0m was vital. The training session was conducted in Rushcutters Bay in strong westerly breezes and proved challenging for crews, especially the six teams who have elected to sail the championship 3-up, the same format as required for the Olympic Match Racing in 2012. Over the next four days teams will battle for the honour of the compasscard Australian Women's Match Racing Champion title for 2009.
The compasscard Australian Women's Match Racing Championship commences today with the first of the round robins. The next four days will see some close racing with many of these teams already members of Olympic training squads (word missing) both Australia and New Zealand. The two teams representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron are using this regatta as a warm up event for next week when they continue on to the USA to compete in the new Elliott 6M, the Olympic Women's Match Racing equipment. Two teams from the Australian Sailing Development Squad also leave Sydney on Saturday to compete in the Sail Skandia Regatta in Weymouth, UK, also in the Elliott 6M and at the Olympic sailing venue.
At the welcome function yesterday evening, CYCA Rear Commodore Garry Linacre introduced the skippers who in turn introduced their crews to the audience of umpires, race committee, parents and friends. He thanked Sean Langman for sponsoring the Championship through his compasscard brand and welcomed Phil Jones, CEO of Yachting Australia to this national event.
Racing begins today at 10.15 am and the aim of PRO Mark Pryke is to push through the first round robin and complete 45 races. The forecast is looking good for day one with a 10 knot westerly greeting the sailors at breakfast and building to 15 knots after lunch.
On Thursday, members and guests are invited to join the Noakes ferry which will be departing the CYCA ‘A' Marina at 11.30am to follow the finals action, returning at approx. 3.00pm. If you would like be on the ferry with Sean Langman commentating on the racing, book by calling Reception at CYCA on 8292 7800 or email reception@cyca.com.au.
– Pam Scrivenor
