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Southport Yacht Club in Aust Women's Match win

by Sarah Cann on 4 Oct 2006
Team Souter - 2006 Womens Match Racing Championship Aline Van Haren
Last weekend Southport Yacht Club’s Rayshele Martin helped Nicky Souter and fellow crew members sail to Souter’s fourth consecutive Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship win.

Team Hamilton Island skippered by Nicky Souter won their fourth consecutive Australian Women's Match Racing championship, held on Sydney Harbour, in a nail biting final with Katie Spithill.

Local Gold Coast sailor and representative for Southport Yacht Club, Rayshele Martin along with skipper Nicky Souter and team mates Kylie McKillop and Lily Taylor, sailed strongly to claim the title; it was not an easy battle.

The championship came down to the wire as Souter and Spithill went into the fifth and final match locked in a two all draw.

As the southerly breeze increased, competition intensified, with one of Spithill's crew getting injured and replaced in the last two matches.

This did not deter either team as they fought for the title; it was Souter who crossed the line first to secure victory.

This unprecedented fourth Australian title is the culmination of a great year for Souter and her team, winning the Harken International Women's Match Racing Championship in March and only recently having returned from the ISAF Nations Cup Grand Final where they placed fourth among the top ranked teams in the world.

Nicky only recently formed her team to compete in the Australian Championships with Kylie McKillop on mainsheet, Lily Taylor as float and Southport Yacht Club’s Rayshele Martin on bow.

The team came together well and proved a formidable force in the heavier breezes.

Kylie and Rayshele along with Spithill's mainsheet trimmer, Nina Curtis, accompanied Nicky to Ireland for the Nations Cup Grand Final, whilst Lily Taylor was a new but vital inclusion. The 17 year old winning her first national title alongside the experienced Souter.

Results: Australian Women's Match Racing Championship Final

Nicky Souter (Skipper), Kylie McKillop, Lily Taylor, Rayshele Martin (RPAYC) defeated Katie Spithill (Skipper), Nina Curtis, Elisabeth Walsh, Angela Farrell (RPAYC) 3-2

Petit Final

Nicky Bethwaite (RSYS) defeated Samantha Boyd (CYCA) 2-1

http://www.southportyachtclub.com.au
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