MEDIA RELEASE | 14 NOVEMBER 2026
Hayhoe wins key clash as storm interrupts HARKEN racing
Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron’s James Hayhoe maintained his unbeaten Round Robin 2 record with a victory over Ethan Fong as an afternoon thunderstorm interrupted Day 3 of the HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship on Pittwater.
Hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Saturday’s racing followed a light-breeze morning that initially kept competitors ashore. By 1236hrs, official commentary confirmed racing was underway in a north-easterly breeze of 10 knots. Four flights, comprising 16 matches, were completed before the weather interruption.
Hayhoe’s meeting with Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron’s Fong provided a significant contest between the second round robin’s unbeaten skippers. Hayhoe held a three-boat-length advantage at the gate before securing the win, taking his record to seven victories from seven matches and a 100% score. Fong remained firmly among the leaders with seven wins from eight matches, or 88%.
For RPAYC, Louis Tilly added three wins to move to six victories from seven Round Robin 2 matches, a score of 86%. His opening encounter with clubmate Daniel Kemp delivered one of the afternoon’s closest finishes. Kemp led at the top mark before Tilly moved ahead downwind, with the pair exchanging gybes on the way to a narrow Tilly victory.
Tilly followed with wins over Sophie Hart and Massimo Henderson. Hart had made a strong start in their match, leading away from the line before Tilly edged ahead at the first top mark.
RPAYC’s Ash Napper also enjoyed a productive afternoon, defeating Angus Cameron and Henderson. Against Henderson, Napper’s downwind sailing helped him take the lead at the gate before securing his second win of the day.
Round Robin 2 – Progressive
RNZYS skipper Robbie Wooldridge added three victories, including an important win over Kemp, to reach four wins from six Round Robin 2 matches. Kemp subsequently defeated Heidi Ferguson, bringing his second-round record to four wins from seven. Ferguson had earlier recorded a win over Hart.
Following a short thunderstorm interruption, racing resumed for Flight 22, Match 1. However, a major wind shift on the opening beat prompted the race committee to abandon that match.
Round Robin 2 remained incomplete at the latest update. The race committee aims to complete the remaining round-robin programme, so Sunday’s finals can proceed as planned.
RPAYC thanks naming rights sponsor Harken Australia, the race management team, umpires and volunteers for their support of the championship and the sailors competing on Pittwater.
Racing is scheduled to resume at 10:00 am AEDT on Sunday 15 November for the FINALS of the 2026 Harken Int. Youth Match Racing Championship.
