Louis Tilly and his crew from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) achieved a remarkable victory at the 2026 Australian Youth Match Racing Championship, winning 3-0 against Ben Crafoord in the final held at Royal Geelong Yacht Club.
Australian Youth Match Racing Championship – Results
Winner: Louis Tilly – Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
View Full Results
The team dominated all five of their races on a grey day on Corio Bay, with Tilly praising his crew’s ability to recover from challenging positions. Although Crafoord had previously won all three of their round-robin meetings, Tilly’s team turned the tables when it mattered most.
“It’s incredible. The three guys in front of me have just done an incredible job all week,” Tilly commented, noting the hard work his crew put in to ensure success.
The championship was presented by DYSC Marine Supplies and supported by Australian Sailing. Tilly commenced the final day with a semi-final victory over James Hayhoe from the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, before facing Crafoord in the decisive final.
After winning the first two races of the final series, Tilly clinched the championship by winning the third race, finishing the day unbeaten. Despite the decisive scoreline, he acknowledged the difficulties his team faced with spinnaker sets but credited his crew for quickly resolving issues.
The victory added to an already impressive year for Tilly, who previously won the Open Match Racing Regatta in Geelong. He expressed his belief in his team’s capabilities throughout the competition, stating they had always felt they could defeat Crafoord and Hayhoe.
Crafoord reached the final after defeating Angus Cameron from the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club in the semi-finals. Despite the outcome, he remained pleased with his team’s performance during the regatta. Hayhoe secured third place, winning the petit final against Cameron.
The final standings for the championship were as follows:
1. Louis Tilly – Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
2. Ben Crafoord – Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
3. James Hayhoe – Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron
4. Angus Cameron – Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club
5. Digby Taylor – Mornington Yacht Club
6. Massimo Henderson – Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron
7. Fraser Baker – Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia
Phil Francis, Commodore of RGYC, highlighted the success of their investment in the RS21 fleet and the club’s ability to host national competitions, emphasising the competitive racing the championship showcased.
Tilly concluded by expressing his enthusiasm for the venue, stating, “We love this boat, we love the place. This regatta’s been so incredible.”
The championship is supported by Garner Marine Services and Bull Sails, hosted by Royal Geelong Yacht Club in conjunction with Australian Sailing.
EVENT INFORMATION
Official event website, notice board and results
Source: Harry Fisher, Down Under Sail
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