The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) is set to host the John Messenger Women’s Match Racing Regatta from Friday 11 October to Sunday 13 October, incorporating the 2024 Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship as well. This exciting three-day event will see eight teams from Australia and New Zealand compete for the title, showcasing the best in women’s sailing.
Leading the charge as the pre-regatta favourite is RPAYC’s Juliet Costanzo, whose experience in the Elliott 7m boats used for the event make her a formidable contender for both regatta titles. Costanzo will be joined by fellow RPAYC Club Member Isabella Holdsworth and her team during the event.
Top challengers against Costanzo will come from the host Club, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, which has two teams competing. Chelsea Williams will be an outside chance to upset the order having finished second in 2023 and also competed at the 2022 World Sailing Women’s Match Racing World Championship.
Last year’s winner Brooke Wilson will also be competing, but crewing this year for Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron’s Jade Gavin. Whilst new to helming, having the experience of Wilson onboard should bolster the Australian chances at this year’s event. Harriet McLachlan will skipper the second team representing the Squadron.
Two New Zealand teams will also feature at this year’s event, with the ever competitive Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron fielding both teams led by Ella Arnold and Annika Pennifold. Both teams arrived today and are looking forward to racing on Sydney Harbour.
The regatta will take place in the iconic waters of Sydney Harbour, where sailors can expect solid racing conditions throughout the weekend. A southerly change is anticipated to sweep through Sydney on Saturday, with winds of up to 20 knots providing ideal for competitors.
The regatta is named after past Commodore John Messenger who was dedicated to the sport of sailing and to the CYCA, championing both the Club’s youth and women’s programs.
Racing will get underway each day from 1030hrs with live results via https://www.matchracingresults.com/2024/cyca-john-messenger/