Day 4 of the 2025 Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship – The Fong Brothers Go Head-to-Head for Glory
Day 4, “the finals” of the 2025 Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship began with a delayed start as the race committee waited for “any” breeze to build. A gentle, variable north-easterly surface promised a tricky day of light, shifting breeze as the event moved into the semi-finals. Race Officer Ted Anderson summed it up simply: “It’s going to be a Dustbowl.”
The standings heading into the semi-finals were incredibly tight, with New Zealand sailors locking out the top four spots after a demanding Round Robin 2. Samuel Scott led the pack with an impressive 14–4 record, followed closely by Robbie Wooldridge on 13–5. Not far behind, Zach Fong holds third on 11–7, keeping the pressure on as the fleet transitioned into the knockout stages.
Samuel Scott drew boat number 1 at the morning briefing and chose Zach Fong to race against.
Ethan booked the first ticket to the Final the hard way, grinding through a tricky, pressure-starved semifinal against Robbie Wooldridge. Wooldridge led early in the decider, but Ethan stayed patient, reeled him back in downwind, and struck when it mattered rolling over the top, then closing it out with a clean, clinical final lap.
Not to be outdone, Zach delivered his own heavyweight performance on the opposite side of the draw. Samuel Scott threw everything at him, even forcing Zach to take the unfavoured side at the gate in one match, but Zach’s downwind boat speed was electric. He found another gear when it counted, taking the semi 2–0 and locking in the all-Fong final everyone was whispering about.
The Petit Final was equally set, with Robbie Wooldridge vs Samuel Scott fighting for third. The Petit Final delivered plenty of action, with Samuel Scott taking control against Robbie Wooldridge. Samuel capitalised on Wooldridge’s early mistakes and stayed in the favoured wind to secure clean wins. Wooldridge fought hard, but it wasn’t enough to break through. With victories in both matches, Samuel claimed third overall.
After a tense afternoon of light-air traps, huge shifts and nail-biting deciders, the Finals were set, and it couldn’t have been more dramatic. It was brother vs brother, Zach Fong (#1) vs Ethan Fong, battling it out in a first-to-three finale to decide the 2025 Champion.
The teams were ready, Pittwater’s breeze still wasn’t behaving, variable below 10 knots, the moment had arrived: Ethan vs Zach. Brother vs brother. First to three.
We caught up with Zach before the race, who laughed that the sibling rivalry is very real. Ethan might have the edge on recent big-event experience after sailing the Nationals this year, while Zach didn’t compete, but with only two years between them, and Zach being the older brother, it sounded like neither brother was giving an inch on the water today.
The 2025 Harken Youth Match Racing Championship finale lived up to every expectation, with Zach and Ethan Fong going head-to-head in a thrilling sibling showdown. From the very start, the brothers were inseparable on the course, exchanging tacks and battling through tricky Pittwater shifts. Ethan led early in both matches, but Zach remained relentless, staying within striking distance and looking for the perfect opportunity.
It came on the second-to-last gybe of the second match, when Zach made a decisive move past his younger brother. With perfect timing, he held the lead through the final drop and gybe, crossing the line just ahead to secure a 3-0 victory.
The celebrations began! The team leapt and supporters leapt into the water, cheering and shouting, celebrating their hard-fought victory in true high-spirited style.
With the win, Zach Fong is crowned 2025 Harken Youth Match Racing Champion, while Ethan can hold his head high after a spectacular performance. Meanwhile, Samuel Scott claimed third over Robbie Wooldridge in the Petit Final. The regatta wrapped up back at RPAYC with celebrations and presentations, capping off a week of world-class youth match racing.
A huge thank-you to all the sailors, coaches, officials, volunteers, and supporters who made the entire Championship such a success. Your energy, sportsmanship, and dedication helped create an unforgettable week of racing on Pittwater.
Congratulations to all competitors, especially Zach Fong and his team!
Final Standings
