MEDIA RELEASE
The Planes Have Landed: Teams Arrive for the 31st Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship.
Ten teams have touched down and are stepping into action as the 31st Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship gets underway at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) from 19–23 November 2025.
Today, all 10 competing teams will take to Pittwater for their dedicated practice session, gaining valuable time in the club’s Elliott 7s and sharpening their match racing skills ahead of the first official proceedings, which commence this evening at the Welcome Function.
This year’s line-up features an exciting blend of returning talent and first-time competitors to the iconic “Harken.” Among the field are:
- Daniel Kemp, RPAYC – World Ranking 2
- Louis Tilly, RPAYC – 74
- Ben Crafoord, CYCA – 11
- Mia Lovelady, RFBYC – 37
- Ethan Fong, RNZYS – 4
- Samuel Scott, PCSC – 14
- Zach Fong, RNZYS – Unranked
- James Hayhoe, RSYS – 10
- Robbie Woodridge, RNZYS – 40
- Harriet McLachlan, RSYS – Unranked
Adding to the significance of the event, the 2025 Champions will be awarded the prestigious ‘Rockin’-Robin Trophy’. This perpetual trophy was generously presented to RPAYC by Robyn Wiltshire in memory of her husband Grant, her son Robert, and Club members Andrew Young and Jeff Smith, who tragically lost their lives at sea aboard the yacht Rockin’ Robin during a passage to Fiji in 1990. The trophy stands as a powerful reminder of their legacy and the deep connections within the RPAYC community.
As one of the world’s most respected youth match racing events, the Championship continues to attract the best emerging keelboat sailors under 23 years of age, each representing their home clubs and training programs in this highly tactical discipline.
The continuous support from Harken for the event and youth sailing is amazing, now in their 27th Year of supporting the event.
Race-by-race coverage, results, and daily updates will be available online at the official event website: www.intyouthmatchracingchampionship.com.au
