Good luck to the two RPAYC Youth Development teams competing at the Aircalin Match Racing Cup in Noumea, New Caledonia this week.
The Aircalin Regatta is regarded as one of the favourite regattas in the annual Youth Development competition calendar, and this will be the first event in Noumea since the pause on international travel over the last two years.
Leading the two teams will be skippers D’Arcy Kemp, and Thomas Rees. For Kemp, this is his third international event and is eager to put his experience and hard hours of training to work on the race track! Meanwhile, Thomas Rees will be skippering a team for the first time after many years sailing with experienced skippers and is excited for the upcoming races.
The regatta has already commenced with both teams weighing in on Wednesday morning and getting their first practice session on the newly christened J70’s at the Cercle Nautique Calédonien (CNC). Racing commences on Thursday morning and will be conducted through to Sunday.
Both teams are extremely fortunate to have the support of Coach Rob Brewer, who is excited for racing to get underway, despite the torrential weather that the teams have faced on Day 1! Rob commented after their first practice session: “Back ashore after our practice session… SOAKED! Forget wet weather gear, these sailors are going to need a wetsuit and snorkel this week!”
The Youth Development sailors have been regularly training together on Pittwater and in the RPAYC SailFit gym for fitness every Friday night. The excitement has been building amongst the group for the return of these great sailing events, including the HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship at RPAYC in November.
The Youth Development squad would like to thank club members Sandy Peacock and Geoff Molesworth for allowing access to their J70 keelboats in preparation for the event.
Aircalin Match Racing Cup – RPAYC Teams:
- D’Arcy Kemp, Daniel Kemp, Orlando Springer, Hugo Butterworth & Hannah McCutcheon
- Thomas Rees, Lachlan Wallace, Sophie Aitken, Charlie Verity, Josh Paulson
