Will Boulden holds lead at Match Racing Champs

Newport, New South Wales (November 18, 2016) – Will Boulden from the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club has maintained his consistency from day one to finish up undefeated on the second day of HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championships with a scorecard of nine from nine.

“We had a good day out there, we had some good moments but there were a few areas which we will need to work on but in the end we got across the line.” Said Will Boulden.

With fickle winds from the west shifting to the north caused some headaches for the race managers but the wind eventually settled to a steady 8 to 12 knot northeaster presenting a similar racetrack to day one.

Malcolm Parker (RPAYC) has also maintained his consistency coming in second followed closely by George Anyon (RNZYS.) Both are sitting on two losses however Malcolm has won one more race which has pushed up his percentage. RPAYC Coach Tom Spithill was very happy with both Malcolm and Anyon’s progress and is excited coming into the final days.

“They have sailed against each other before and are probably the more seasoned skippers in the event so it’s no surprise that they are close to each other on the scoreboard. Having said that Will (Boulden) and the Freshwater team are having a cracking event so far.” Said Tom Spithill

Climbing up the point score ladder notching up some solid wins on day two is Will Eastman from the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club (NZ) with seven wins from ten races and will be one to watch coming into the final round robins on day three.

The team furthest away from home, Jalmer Van Beek representing the Dutch Federation Yacht Club has had two solid days of racing with an upset with over Malcolm Parker in one of the earlier races. With a little help from crew member, Will Dargaville, who is a RPAYC local the Dutch team have come away with four wins from nine races.

Tomorrow’s conditions are taking a swing with the south with a predicted 15 knot southerly to hit before dawn and decreasing throughout the day which will change up the racetrack for the final day of round robins.

Event details – Scoreboard

Background: The 24th HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship is scheduled on November 17 to 20, with racing hosted by Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Newport, New South Wales. For the first time, a prize purse of $2000 is at stake for the 12 teams from the United States of America, Netherlands, New Zealand and Australia.

Confirmed skippers are:
• RNZYS – Auckland, NZ– George Anyon – 32
• RFBYC – Perth, AUSTRALIA– Will Boulden – 46
• DFYC – NETHERLANDS – Jelmer van Beek – 82
• RPAYC – Sydney, AUSTRALIA – Malcolm Parker – 90
• RNZYS – Auckland, NZ – Mathew Hughes – 130
• RPNYC – Wellington, NZ – Will Eastman – 154
• CYCA – Sydney, AUSTRALIA – Tom Grimes – 180
• RPNYC – Wellington, NZ – Oakley Marsh – 192
• RPAYC – Sydney, AUSTRALIA – Sarah Parker – 197
• BYC – California, USA – Porter Killian – 316
• RSYS – Sydney, AUSTRALIA – Nicholas Rozenauers – 419
• DWS – Darwin, AUSTRALIA – John Lynch – NR

Source: RPAYC