Sunny skies and steady sea breezes welcomed the 12 international teams for the start of the 2016 HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship on Pittwater.
With the wind strengthening from the east to northeast throughout the day it showed the new comers what they were up against sailing in Pittwater’s shifty conditions.
Matthew Hughes from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron coming into his first HARKEN as a skipper shined on the first day finishing the day with six wins from seven races.
Local sailor and HARKEN veteran, Malcolm Parker from The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club showed off his local knowledge and experience in the first day with five wins from six races having lost one race to George Anyon from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
“It was good out there today, it was pretty standard Pittwater conditions today so we felt comfortable and it was good to get the wins.” Said Malcolm Parker.
Anyon also showed off his knowledge of Pittwater with an equal scorecard to Parker with five wins from six races with an upset loss to Sarah Parker. Sarah, Malcolm’s sister, skippering the only all girl team of the event really stepped it up against Anyon who is the highest ranked skipper in the event.
The Darwin team skippered by John Lynch couldn’t stack up a win during the day but sailed some strong races. Tom Vincent, a crew member on the team was happy with how the day progressed.
“It was a long day today but I think they team are starting to figure out the boats. We haven’t done much match racing or sailing Elliot 7s before but after today's racing I think we’ll be better tomorrow.” Said Tom Vincent.
Sitting on 100% with four from four is Will Boulden from the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club handled the conditions very well but will need to continue his consistency going into the second day of racing tomorrow.
The forecast for day two of racing is looking like a much warmer day with a high of 32 degrees with testing winds from the west.
