Harken Schools Regatta- Hutt International Boys School lead on Day 1

by RNZYS Media on 20 Feb 2015 The Hutt International Boys School lead on day one of the Harken Schools Regatta with a total of 12 points.

This year’s event has attracted 19 school teams from all over New Zealand. From as far south as Nelson College and as far north as KeriKeri High School. The 19 teams have been split into two Groups the first 10 teams ‘Qualifying A’ completed 5 races on the Waitamata Harbour today.

Youth Training Programme Coach Guy Pilkington commented 'We were lucky to get any racing in today. The breeze was extremely light and flukey. We set up off the Squadron Clubrooms for the first practice race and then moved down to Mechanics Bay where we were final able to get another 5 races in. The teams sailed really well in the tricky conditions.'

The Hutt International Boys School team is helmed by experienced Elliott 7 sailor, George Gautrey who also competed at last weekend’s Nespresso Youth International Match Racing Championships where he finished sixth overall. Gautrey is also the 2013 Harken Schools champion but is this year joined by a new crew of Will Martell, Jackson Rich and his younger brother Henry Gautrey.

Just one point behind is the Kirstin School A team helmed by Leonard Takahashi-Fry, last year’s winner of this event and current helmsman of Boat 8. Yachting Developments in the RNZYS Youth Training Programme. Leonard brings most of last year’s winning team back with Rory McCutcheon, Oscar Gunn and Jack Rogers.

With 19 points overall is the St. Kentigern College team helmed by first time skipper George Kirkman. George was supported by Thomas Morton and his older sister Stephanie Kirkman and bowman James Delegat who are also current members of the RNZYS YTP.

One point behind is Auckland Grammar A team helmed by Sam Morgan and rounding out the top five is Albany Senior High School helmed by Ellis Lane.

The top five teams qualify for the Gold Fleet and the remainder the Silver Fleet both of which will race on Sunday.

 Today’s Results - Friday

SCHOOL (Qualifying A)	SKIPPER	1	2	3	4	5	TOTAL	PLACE
5. Hutt International Boys School	George Gautrey	1	3	1	1	6	12	1
2. Kristin School A	Leonard Takahashi-Fry	3	1	2	3	4	13	2
9. St. Kentigern College	George Kirkman	7	2	3	2	5	19	3
1. Auckland Grammar A	Sam Morgan	5	4	5	5	1	20	4
10. Albany Senior High School	Ellis Lane	4	5	10	7	2	28	5
8. Mount Albert Grammar	Chelsea Rees	2	6	8	4	9	29	6
7. Diocesan School for Girls	Charlotte Porter	8	7	4	9	3	31	7
3. Wentworth College	Liam Herbert	6	9	6	10	7	38	8
4. Botany Downs Secondary College	Samuel Hewitt	9	8	7	6	8	38	9
6. Nelson College	Kit Vining	10	10	9	8	10	47	10

 

The Harken Schools Regatta was an initiative established by the Youth Training Committee to promote the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme and to give school aged teenagers an opportunity to race in a high performance keelboat. Since its beginnings in 2007 when the event was sailing in Elliott 6’s and only four schools entered it has grown not only in size but is now attracting schools from all over New Zealand. The event has been sailed in the Youth Training Programme Elliott 7’s since 2011.