2014 Harken Youth Int'l Match Racing Championship - About to set off

by Jenna Walters on 13 Aug 2014 2014 Harken Youth International Match Racing Championship - The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club proudly announces the launch of the 2014 Harken International Youth Match Racing Regatta with its brand new event website. Over the week of the 19 – 23 of November, 12 teams will compete for the prestigious Rockin’ Robin Trophy.

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club is situated on the beautiful stretch of water named ‘Pittwater’, on Sydney's Northern Beaches. ‘The Alfreds’ as it’s known by locals and members, has a long and colourful history and is one of Australia's most successful and prestigious yacht clubs. The Club is approximately 40 minutes from the Sydney CBD and 50 minutes from the International airport. The Club boasts one of the finest yachting histories in Australia with many Olympic medallists, Volvo Ocean Race sailors, America's Cup sailors and World and National Champions amongst its members.

The Harken International Youth Match Racing Regatta is a particularly special event to RPAYC members as Robyn Wiltshire presented the Club with a perpetual trophy named the ‘Rockin’-Robin Trophy’. Robyn presented the trophy in memory of her husband Grant and son Robert, Andrew Young and Jeff Smith, all Club members who tragically lost their lives at sea aboard the yacht ‘Rockin’ Robin’ whilst on passage to Fiji in 1990.

Many Club members provided financial assistance and volunteered their time to help with the Search and Rescue, after the group was spotted next to their partially submerged yacht approximately 200 nautical miles off the Australian Coast. Even after an extensive Search and Rescue lasting more than one month, the sailors or the vessel were never sighted again.

The Club’s hospitality is recognised throughout the community. During the youth match racing event, RPAYC families will billet and house competitors from around the world providing them with great Australian hospitality. This generosity helps competitors and clubs keep their overall expenses down. The week’s activities include breakfast in the renovated Halyards café and a formal awards ceremony and dinner, giving competitors the opportunity to rekindle old friendships and develop everlasting new ones.

The Notice of Race and Invitation to Apply is now available here.