David Gilmour is favourite to take out Warren Jones

David Gilmour is pretty clear about his objectives for the 2012 Warren Jones International Youth Regatta, “I was third two years ago, second last year, I’d like to go one better this year,” he said when introducing himself and his crew at the opening function for the event.

However there are eight other skippers who would be happy to halt the upward progress of this local boy.

Despite this impressive record in the Warren Jones Regatta, Gilmour’s world ranking of 49th doesn’t compare with those of the two Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron skippers, Jordan Reece and David Chapman, who head the entry list.

Jordan Reece has made an impressive ascent of the world rankings in the past year, rising from 98^th to his current 28^th place, with a series of consistent results at a variety of events in America and Europe.

David Chapman enters this event at 38^th place on the ranking ladder and he has consistently been ranked in the thirties over the past year, after finishing third in last year’s Warren Jones Regatta.

Also out ranking David Gilmour, but only by a few points, is 44^th placed Jay Griffin from Sydney’s Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

Just below the local boy on the ladder is the top New Zealand competitor, Tim Coltman at 51^st, and also on the rise, one of two competitors from Wellington’s Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, whose junior programme is starting to challenge the dominance of the Auckland scene.

The other Kiwi in the line-up has a lowly ranking of 252, which disguises his ability, Josh Junior has been ranked as high as 40^th, so is one to be watched.

Besides David Gilmour, there are two other skipper from the host club, Royal Freshwater Bay Y.C, Tristan Brown and Gilmour’s younger brother Sam, who would no doubt be happy to take a race or two off his sibling.

Noaki Ichino from Japan is starting out on his match racing career, and has yet to achieve a score on the ranking ladder, but his enthusiasm and obvious delight at getting the opportunity to compete in this event has already endeared him to the locals.

The Warren Jones International Youth Regatta is managed by Swan River Sailing, and hosted this year by Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, racing starts Tuesday 31^st January, with the final on Friday 3^rd February.

-John Roberson