Club Coach Tom Spithill will be finishing up in his position as Head Coach at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Feb/ March 2020 (date to be announced).

Since commencing full time work at the Yacht Club in 2007, Tom worked as a sailing administrator, and was instrumental in launching the “Force 24 Super Series”, which helped encourage members of all ages to compete in an exciting format.

The position of head coach became available, and Tom seamlessly transitioned into that roll, overseeing the clubs extensive sail training program.

Tom was involved with developing the Carl Halverson Scholarship program and the implementation of the Green fleet. These programs helped to transition non-sailing families from learn to sail programs into regular club racing.

The Youth Development Program has continued to excel under Tom’s leadership. Some notable achievements whilst the squad have been under Toms Guidance have been:
*First all-female team to win the Harken Youth International Match Racing Regatta. (Milly Bennett)
* First Female helm and first all-female team to win the Hardy Cup international Match Racing Regatta (Clare Costanzo)
* 2016 Youth Match Racing World Champions (William Dargaville).

Tom has also been a driving force in the RPAYC award winning “Integrated Disabled Sailing Program”, working with organisations such as Soldier On, St John Of God and Homes for Heroes. Working with the participants who range from veterans, current serving and first responders and helping them in their recovery by organising sailing and family days.

Tom played a major part in the delivery of the Invictus games launch in addition to the Games itself in Sydney, taking on the role as Sports Competition Manger for Sailing. The Games was the largest Multi Sports games since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Over the years Tom has been recognised state wide and nationally with Coach of the Year and Sports Professional of the Year Awards.

Tom plans to enjoy some travelling and explore some upcoming sailing opportunities as he sees where this next chapter takes him.

Prior to being full time at the Alfred’s, Tom worked casually instructing sailing and mark laying back when he was 15, and plans to still help out where he can.
“I was on $10 an hour when I started instructing here at the club, and I have fond memories of spending time with Gary E.  The club has been a part of my life since I was born, I did my first regatta here when I was 3 years old, someone’s crew forgot to turn up and my older Brother and Sister were already sailing so my dad chucked me on board and I reportedly slept most of the day!”
“I want to thank the members of the club for giving me the opportunity to work at such an amazing club, the friendships I have forged here are life long, and I will now enjoy resuming my membership here at the club” commented a clearly nostalgic and emotional Tom.

Tom has been a very important staff member at the Club for many years and we will miss his contribution and banter in the office, including his 'technical support' skills. We wish him well in his new ventures and look forward to seeing him out on the water and enjoying the club as a member again. Good luck Tom.

When Tommy met Prince Harry - Invictus Games                                                                                                                             Sail GP Q & A / Harken Welcome Function 

A Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) team skippered by Alastair Gifford has won the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s (RPAYC) Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship on Pittwater this weekend, successfully defending the title won by fellow club member Jordon Stevenson last year.

In the final, Gifford’s team of Henry Angus, Chester Duffett, Hunter Gardyne and Seb Lardies defeated the world ranked No. 20 team from Wales, skippered by Matthew Whitfield from Penarth Yacht Club. It means that Gifford pockets the $1200 winner’s cheque, with $800 going to Wales as runner-up.

It did not go all Gifford’s way. He had to fight back from a deficit of two down in the final, but the Kiwis fought back to win the next three matches in the best of five, to take the title.

Gifford said this afternoon: “The standard of competition was pretty high; so overall, it was a pretty hard-fought event.”

On defending the title won by Stevenson last year, Gifford said, “We take pride in the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. We have a good group of guys and girls there - and good program. The Club backs us.

“We knew it was going to be tight competition, so we’re very happy with how we went, especially coming up against the Welsh who are number 20 in the world,” ended Gifford, whose crew went in world ranked 117. 

Gifford, though, has plenty of racing experience across the board, including representing New Zealand at the 2014 Youth Olympics, and has raced internationally in anything from Optimists, Bytes and Laser Radials apart from match racing.

Of his team, the confident skipper said: “We had a little bit of practice before we came here, but it’s the first time we’ve raced together.” 

Throughout the event, the winners lost only four matches, two in the round robin, and two in the final. In the semi-finals, they took on the RPAYC all-female team skippered by Juliet Costanzo and beat them 3-0, while Whitfield’s Welsh team sailed against the other RPAYC team skippered by Alistair Read. The Welsh team won 3-1.

Tom Spithill, the RPAYC’s head coach, commented: “The regatta went very smoothly. The breeze got up to 22 knots on the first day, and really tested everyone’s boat handling. It was light to moderate for the rest; a good all-round package. It showed who can sail well in all conditions.”

Spithill continued, “We’re very pleased with the standard of the competition. Even the world number 20 had matches taken off him, so it shows how competitive all the teams were - they all come from established yacht clubs with good youth programs in place. 

On the efforts of the RPAYC teams, Spithill said, “We are absolutely thrilled we had both RPAYC in the semis. It’s the first time and shows the depth of talent we have. Both teams had the potential to have a crack at this event.

Ten international teams took part in the 27th Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship. Clubs represented were: RPAYC, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (Jed Cruickshank), Darwin Sailing Club (Finn Niemeier) and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, (Hugo Stoner).

The international line-up was completed by Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club in New Zealand (Jonathon Barnett) and Ireland’s Royal Irish Yacht Club (Niall Malone).

A Sportsmanship award of $250 went to Jed Cruickshank’s team, while the Social Media prize of $250 was awarded to the team from Wales.

The Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship could not be made possible without the assistance of some two dozen volunteers, local members, as well as the international and national umpires.

Special thanks to Harken, a leading manufacturer and marketer of quality sailboat hardware and accessories, which continues to support this event for a 22nd year.

For all the results, please visit the official website: www.intyouthmatchracingchampionship.com.au

By Di Pearson/RPAYC media

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On Facebook: @RPAYCYD

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On Twitter: @RPAYCYouthMatch

After two round robins of racing in the Harken Youth International Match Racing Regatta on Pittwater, the top four teams have been identified. 

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Clubs team skippered by Alistair Read and Juliet Costanzo have snared two of the four spots in the semifinals, finishing tied and 4^th respectively on 12 wins.
Top ranked seed (World Sailing open ranked 20) Mathew Whitfield representing Penarth Yacht Club (Wales) is ranked 2^nd on 14 wins, behind regatta leader Alistair Gifford representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (NZL) on 16 wins.

On getting into the top four a happy Costanzo commented “We (the girls), are really enjoying sailing together. We are not phased on who we get paired up to race against, as we feel like we have a good shot at the 3 higher placed teams!”

“We are hoping that our fellow club members come out and cheer loud for both Alfred’s teams, so we can capitalize on the home team advantage!” commented a spirited Costanzo.

The semifinals and finals are scheduled to take place tomorrow (Sunday 24^th November), with racing getting underway at 1000hrs.

Tonight Alistair Gifford, as regatta leader will have the luxury of picking his opponent for the semi finals

To view live results throughout the day, follow this link: https://www.matchracingresults.com/2019/harken-international-youth-championship/

Spithill Media Services