Brasell, Geddes and Mackay share the top spot in the Nespresso YIMRC

by Amber Roberts on 15 Feb 2014
It’s the battle of the Kiwis and it’s anyone’s game on Day Two of the Nespresso Youth International Match Racing Championships.

George Brasell (RNZYS - Auckland), Rawiri Geddes (RNZYS – Auckland) and Sam Mackay (RPNYC - Wellington) all share 12 points overall and have not raced each other yet in Round Robin Two, meaning the tie break is yet to be broken.

The best result for today for the top three place getters goes to Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme member Geddes who suffered his only loss of 6 races in Round Robin Two to Kerikeri Cruising Club’s Matthew Bindon. 'Generally the day was good for us – speed, crew and tactics, however our race against Matthew was our worst of the day where everything that could go wrong did go wrong, and Matthew just purely out sailed us' explained Geddes.

Conditions were more challenging today with PRO Harold Bennett commenting that the wind shifts, in both direction and strength, resulted in a number of course changes; 'Despite the challenging conditions we still managed to complete 9 flights so it was another good day all round.'

Royal Port Nicholson’s George Gautrey had a solid day and claimed fourth spot and remarked that his team improved their boat handling and adjustment to the Elliott 7s. Gautrey said 'Our boat handling was better today and we are getting used to match racing after jumping out of a dinghy; it was very close racing all day but we stayed composed and finished strong.'

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Harry Price moves up the leaderboard to fifth spot with 4 wins in Round Robin Two, his only loss being to Gautrey by a mere 6 seconds.

Ryan Davidson (Balboa Yacht Club) holds sixth spot with his full crew contingent back on board following a minor injury to bowman Gregg Kent early in yesterday’s racing; 'We adjusted really well yesterday but it was great to have Gregg back on the boat', said Davidson.

Rounding out the points table taking seventh - 11th spots are Malcolm Parker (Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club), Carey Shelley (Richmond Yacht Club), Milly Bennett (Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club), Matthew Bindon (Kerikeri Cruising Club) and Michelle Tait (BBYC). Parker commented, 'We are looking to be better in the pre-starts tomorrow, defending the win rather than chasing it.'

Regarding tomorrow’s forecast PRO Bennett said 'It may be lighter and could be tricky; we have 4 flights to get through (in the remainder of Round Robin Two) and will try and knock them off early.' The possibility of lighter winds was encouraging for Shelley and his light crew; 'The conditions should be good for us so we are looking forward to getting out there tomorrow.'

At the conclusion of Round Robin Two after the last four flights sailed the top four ranked skippers go through to the Semi Finals and the remainder sail in a sudden death for fifth – 11th positions.

Racing is again scheduled to commence at 10 am tomorrow: