Repeat Finals at NESPRESSO Youth International Match Racing Cup

Auckland, NZL (February 27, 2016) – The NESPRESSO Youth International Match Racing Cup finals will for the second year in a row be between the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

RNZYS YTP skipper George Anyon was the first to qualify for the finals only losing one race today after a crew member fell overboard! – Anyon “It was a great day, we are really happy with the results”

Murray Jones CYCA also only lost one flight today but had to wait on the ruling of the International Jury for the last flight results. Protest dismissed and this 3rd win stands, Jones will face Anyon tomorrow.

The quarter finals started the day off on a great note with toped ranked skipper Murray Jones, CYCA choosing to race RPAYC’s Clare Costanzo and winning in 3 straight flights. Second placed RPNYC’s William Eastman, chose CNC Tom Picot with RNZYS YTP skipper George Anyon choosing CNC’s Cryil Fortin both Eastman and Anyon won in 3 straight flights. RPAYC’s Will Dargaville sailed RNZYS YTP skipper Matthew Hughes. Dargaville won 4-1.

Early afternoon the Semi-Finals kicked off with Murray Jones choosing RPNYC’s William Eastman, therefore leaving Anyon racing against William Dargaville. Some early damaged to Eastman’s boat delayed their start but saw both Anyon and Jones finishing the semi-finals winning 3-1.

Jones described the pairing for the finals tomorrow as “pretty even” even though the two haven’t sailed again each other much. As luck would have it Jones and his team are being billeted at the Anyon house, which could make for an awkward evening ahead of the finals tomorrow!

The tie for 9, 10 and 11th Between Kirkman, Bennett and Thackray was also settled today with RNZYS YTP’s Stephanie Kirkman wining 4 for 4, and Bennett winning 2 of her 4 races.

The 2016 Nespresso Youth international Cup, the most prestigious youth match racing cup in New Zealand, is raced at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Elliott 7 keelboats on February 25-28. Teams from three different countries and six yacht clubs are competing in the Auckland Harbour.

Event website – Scoreboard – Facebook

Report by Georgia Derrick, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.