HOBART, TASMANIA – Congratulations to our Youth Development team of Daniel Kemp (skipper), Charlie Verity, and Lachlan Wallace, who have won the Australian Youth Match Racing Championships.
The regatta was hosted by the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and was sailed on Elliot 6 keelboats from 22-26 October. The Youth Championship was also held concurrently with the Australian Open Match Racing Championship.
Our team experienced a difficult start to the event, suffering 2 losses on the first day of racing. On day 2 and 3, however, the team bounced back to qualify for the knock out stages of the regatta.
In the semi finals, RPAYC was paired against the Kiwi team of Hayden Smith (RNZYS). Despite the tricky conditions (a wind range of 5-25 knots and winds shifting 90 degrees regularly), our team was successful in winning the semi finals 2-0 and progressing to the finals.
In the finals series, Kemp and team raced Healy Ryan and his crew representing the Double Bay Sailing Club. In a close series, Kemp and team won 2-0 and were crowned Youth National Champions.
In the Open Championship, Kemp and team placed 4th overall after being defeated 2-1 by the team representing the CYCA in the semi finals.
Of the regatta win, Kemp commented:
“It was certainly a tricky week for us, with many highs and lows throughout the qualifying stage. With this in mind, we were very happy to come away with this win. Our thanks, as always, go out to RPAYC and Head Coach Rob Brewer for all their support.”
Kemp, Verity, and Wallace’s win represents RPAYC’s first title in the Youth National Championship.