NZ wins World University Match Racing Champs

by Dean Stanley on 7 Jul 2008
After five days of racing in Gdansk Poland New Zealand has taken out both the gold and silver medals at the 2008 FISU World University Match Racing Championships. Josh Junior, Matthew Steven, Chris Jones and Carl Syman from the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, ran out convincing winners in the finals over their country mates, Reuben Corbett, Brad Farrant, Scott Burling and Jimmy Maloney (Royal New Zealand yacht Squadron). Rounding out the medalists was the team from the United States of America.

Finals day was a difficult one for the race committee. After attempting to start the racing inside the harbour a decision to abandon the first flight was made when a 90 degree wind shift came down the course. Racing was shifted outside the harbour but this was not the end of the race committee’s work. After the first flight the wind swung a further 180 degrees forcing yet another course change.

After what had been a very tight regatta Junior and team were surprisingly dominant in the finals. They found a distinct boat speed edge over Corbett’s team which meant they won the final comfortably 3-0.

'We were stoked to take out the finals against our old sparring partners from Auckland' said Josh Junior at the prize giving ceremony, 'it has been a very tight regatta and we are very proud to have come out with a win for Wellington'.

Junior and team were sailing under the banner of Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club and were representing both Victoria and Massey Universities. Corbett and team were sailing for the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and were representing Auckland University.

The World University Match Racing Championships are held every two years. They will be sailed next in Greece in 2010.

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www.matchracing2008.awf.gda.pl