Match racing returned to Victorian waters over the weekend, with Royal Geelong Yacht Club’s Open Match Racing Regatta providing a valuable lead-in to next month’s Australian Youth Match Racing Championship.
Held on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September, the two-day regatta brought five crews from across Victoria and interstate to Geelong to compete on the Club’s fleet of RS21 yachts.
After light winds on the opening day, Sunday delivered fresh and gusty conditions, putting the crews’ boat and kite handling skills to the test.
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club skipper Louis Tilly and crew took out first place, with Royal Geelong Yacht Club’s Grace Hooper and team finishing second, and Michael Parks and crew representing Sandringham Yacht Club taking third.
The regatta also featured a second Royal Geelong Yacht Club crew, skippered by Jorja Mahoney, alongside Digby Taylor and crew representing Mornington Yacht Club.
For the sailors, the weekend was an opportunity to sharpen their match racing skills and gain valuable experience ahead of a major month for the format in Geelong.
The boost of major match racing events in Victoria comes at an exciting time for the sport. Royal Geelong Yacht Club’s fleet of RS21s gives the Club the capacity to host multiple crews on equal boats, creating opportunities for sailors to experience match racing and develop their skills in a competitive environment.
With few clubs in Victoria able to offer a dedicated fleet for this style of racing, there is an opportunity for Geelong to play a greater role in growing match racing across the state.
That opportunity comes into sharper focus with Australia preparing to return to the America’s Cup with an Australian team for the first time in more than 20 years. As the sport gains a renewed national spotlight, Victoria has an opportunity to strengthen its pathway into match racing, from sailors taking their first steps in the format through to open-level competition.
For Royal Geelong Yacht Club, that pathway starts with creating opportunities for the next generation of sailors. The Australian Youth Match Racing Championship, hosted in conjunction with Australia Sailing, will bring some of the country’s best young match racers to Geelong. It will give them the chance to compete at a high level on the flat waters on Corio Bay, while developing the skills and experience that will shape the future of the sport.
The Championship will be held at Royal Geelong Yacht Club from 21 to 25 October. Crews of four to five sailors will compete on RGYC’s RS21 fleet in a battle of tactics, boat handling and teamwork.
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