YDL NZ Match Racing - Chris Steele defends title

by Georgia Witt, RNZYS on 16 Oct 2016 Chris Steele and his crew of Harry Hull, Josh Salthouse and Harry Thurston retain their title for the second year after defeating Graeme Sutherland and crew in three straight matches.

The action all kicked off at 10am with the start of the Semi Finals. The top ranked Graeme Sutherland chose to sail Sam Meech whom he beat 3 – nil. In the other Semi Final Chris Steele raced Australian David Chapman with Chapman taking the first race by 2 seconds. Defending champion Steele then quickly bounced back taking the next three races and claiming his spot in the finals.

The Finals then saw Sutherland racing Steele – in what could not have been a closer first race! In the pre-start Sutherland went for the hook but failed to give Steele enough room and copped a penalty, from then on it was penalties, lead changes, luffing, and trying to shake off penalties. Steele somehow got the inside at the top mark leaving Sutherland behind by 16 seconds. Steele then won the next two races but as Steele commented at this afternoon’s prizegiving ceremony “the score board doesn’t reflect how close the racing was”.

The Petit final also didn’t disappoint with the racing just as close between Sam Meech and David Chapman. Chapman managed to show his match racing experience against the Olympic laser sailor taking the final 2 - nil to claim third place, with Meech in fourth overall.

Yachting Developments Managing Director Ian Cook who was unable to attend the prizegiving, but sent his support saying “we are very pleased to have supported the event, we hope everyone had a great time and enjoyed the new regatta format.”

Steele also commented on the new format “we really enjoyed it! I think it’s been really well received by the sailors, It also helps us training for the World Match Race Tour”. “We really squeezed as much racing as we could into these last four days.”

Americas Cup Race Officer Harold Bennett who ran the on water operations this week said “I think using the different format is great! And the number of entries is a real testament to that.”

With over 100 competitors and officials involved in this year’s event, organisers felt it was a resounding success. With may new initiatives one of which included live commentary from PJ Montgomery and Sailing Director Laurie Jury during finals day.

Event Manager Georgia Witt commented “it was an awesome atmosphere, with such a buzz around the yacht club – so many familiar keel boat sailors, and new many new faces both young and old. This turn out is really a testament to the revived format, and a pleasure to be a part of – see you all in October next year!”

Final Results:

Steele beat Sutherland 3 - 0
Petit Final
Chapman beat Meech 2 - 0

Semi Final 1:
Steele beat Chapman 3 - 1
Semi Final 2
Sutherland beat Meech 3 - 0

Final Results:
1st Chris Steele RNZYS |36 BELOW
2nd Graeme Sutherland RNZYS
3rd David Chapman RSYS | RTYC | WARWICK GAIR BUILDERS
4th Sam Meech TYPBC
5th Matthew Hughes RNZYS YTP
6th Evan Walker CYCA
7th Jeremy Koo RSYC | SIME DARBY FOUNDATION
8th David Wood MCC
9th Alan Quere CNC
10th George Anyon RNZYS YTP
11th Robbs Hielkema BOIYC
12th Frankie Dair KCC
13th Oakley Marsh RPNYC
14th Patrick Haybittle RNZYS YTP
15th Erica Dawson MBSC AON Fasttrack
16th Francisco Kayrouz WBC KRISTIN SCHOOL
17th Celia Willison RNZYS YTP
18th Brian Trubovich RNZYS
19th Tom Fyfe MBSC


For full results from the regatta click here