Youth Match Racing Championships day 2 - Griffin unbeaten

by Damian Devine and Tom Spithill - RPAYC on 19 Nov 2010 Racing forged ahead in the 2010 Harken International Youth Match Racing Championships, hosted by the RPAYC, with a further 9 flights completed on Day Two.

The CYCA team of Jay Griffin (helm), Hamish Hardy, Henry Kernot and Nick Howe have had a great start to their Harken campaign with 11 wins from 11 starts over two days, the clear leader of Round Robin 1 and early leader in Round Robin 2 with four flights remaining to complete the Round Robin stage.

One of the most anticipated races on day two was the match up early today of the overnight leaders, Jordan Reece (RSYS) and Jay Griffin (CYCA) in flight nine to complete the first round robin. Griffin managed to get a clear set on his first run to hold a comfortable lead heading around the bottom mark, however, Reece made a good comeback on the final work and run to reduce the lead, but it was not enough with Griffin holding on to win by six seconds. In doing so, he completed the first round on top with a perfect seven from seven.

Conditions were the complete reverse of day one when a strong southerly hit Pittwater before dawn. The challenging conditions settled slightly during the early morning to allow racing to get underway in a fresh 18 - 22 knots, providing some great racing in the fleet of Force 24s on the course set north of Longnose Point on Sydney’s Pittwater.

With round one complete, round robin two got underway immediately with good breeze as the motivator and in the first flight there was a bit of drama when RYCT’s Elliot Noye and Jordan Reece met in their match up. Coming into top mark rounding for the first time, another boat from another match, Reece Tailby (RPAYC) got caught up in the luffing duel between Reece and Noye, with Tailby hitting Reece and forcing him head to wind and losing his advantage on Noye, who then led around the mark and subsequently led for the rest of the race.

Reece put in a protest asking for redress. The redress was granted by the umpires and the race was re-run with Reece comfortably winning from start to finish. As a result of Tailby’s interference he was penalised half a point.

Reece had this to say about the day’s racing, 'The boats were very powered up in the strong wind we had today. There was a lot to gain or lose today in boat handling.'

RNZYS's Codie Banks had a great start to round robin 2 with wins in all his matches so far and is looking a formidable force in the top four, with the Trans Tasman rivalry now poised at two apiece.

The forecast for tomorrow is for South to southeasterly 10 to 15 knots tending east to southeasterly up to 10 knots during the afternoon then turning northeasterly.

It could be a tricky day for the RO Ted Anderson but no doubt as we head towards the pointy end of the competition, it’s going to be an exciting two days ahead!

Score tally for the Round Robin Stage at the end of Day 2.
Skipper Club Win/Loss

Jay Griffin (CYCA) - 11/11
Codie Banks (RNZYS) - 9/12
Jordan Reece (RSYS) - 8/11
Tim Coltman (RPNYC) - 7/12
Elliot Noye (RYCT) - 4/11
Ashlen Rooklyn (CYCA) - 4/12
Reece Tailby (RPAYC) – 2.5/12
Stephanie Doyle (RPAYC) 0/11

NB. Four flights remain to complete the Round Robin.

For complete information refer to Regatta site at http://www.rpayc.com.au/2010-harken-youth-match-racing-regatta