Sail-World.com : Harken Youth - Lightning strikes for Thurston after a perfect day
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Harken Youth - Lightning strikes for Thurston after a perfect day |
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'Thurston in a close downwind battle versus Waterhouse in their match on Day Two of the 2009 HARKEN - 2009 Harken International Youth Match Racing Championships'
Tom Spithill
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Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship, Day Two.
Racing forged ahead in the 2009 Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship today with the start of Round Robin Two with eight flights completed. RNZYS's Harry Thurston, unbeaten today, takes over the leader board from team mate William Tiller, who led after day one.
Racing got under way on time with a Nor' Easter building throughout the morning.
First match of the day was the two RNZYS teams, Thurston v Tiller. The match started off with an aggressive pre-start with Thurston getting the desirable lead into the start line. He managed to hold this advantage and take Tiller's unbeaten status off him. Thurston managed to continue this good form throughout the day with six bullets from six starts.
After a frustrating day yesterday, Jordan Reece from RSYS, also had a good day today managing to lose only one match, against RPNYC's Mathew Stevens, also only losing one match today against fellow kiwi, Thurston.
In their match, Reece and Stevens had a great battle around the course and by the final downwind, the boats were still neck and neck. Stevens protested Reece for taking him past his proper course as they approached the finish and the umpires gave Reece a 'Red Flag' penalty. Reece had to undertake his penalty turn straight away, allowing Stevens to sail clear to the finish and take the win.
'We definitely had a better day today, we had good boat handling which helped us in important situations. It was a shame about our loss to Stevens, we thought we were still within our proper course, but all in all a good day,' said Reece.
Racing was called to an abrupt halt this afternoon when dark clouds and lightning started to roll over from the west towards the course.
PRO Ted Anderson made the astute call to quickly send everyone in as he received information that a severe storm was on the way.
All boats managed to make it back to the dock before Pittwater was engulfed with a smorgasboard of severe elements - heavy rain, hail, lightning, thunder and gale force winds.
Tomorrow will get underway with the intention to get the remaining races of round robin two completed. The bureau predicts an early Southerly change 20/25 knots, easing during the morning to 15/20 knots, becoming SE/NE 15/20 knots in the afternoon, with more thunderstorms expected late in the day.
 | Pittwater blanketed in a storm at the end of Day Two of the Harken, hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club - 2009 Harken International Youth Match Racing Championships - Tom Spithill Click Here to view large photo |
Progressive placings after Day Two:
1. RNZYS Harry Thurston NZL 11/2
2. RNZYS William Tiller NZL 10/3
3. RPNYC Matthew Stevens NZ 9/4
4. RFBYC Pete Nicholas AUS 7/5
4. RSYS Jordan Reece AUS 7/6
6. CYCA Olivia Price AUS 5/8
7. RPAYC Jason Waterhouse AUS 2/12
8. RPAYC Reece Tailby AUS 1/12
Follow all the action via the website at http://www.rpayc.com.au/harken-youth-match-racing-regatta.html
 | Stevens on a near perfect day gets set to hoist the chute - 2009 Harken International Youth Match Racing Championships - Tom Spithill Click Here to view large photo |
Harken Australia are the proud sponsor of the 2009 International Youth Match Racing Championships and a leading manufacturer and marketer of quality sailboat hardware and accessories. Visit www.harken.com.au
by Tom Spithill & Damian Devine, RPAYC
10:18 AM Fri 20 Nov 2009 GMT
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