Sixteen confirmed entries for the YDL NZ Match Racing titles
by Andrew Delves – RNZYS PR & Communications Manager 30 Aug 2018 14:29 PDT
31 August 2018
Sutherland v Maloney - Yachting Developments NZ Match Racing Championships 2017 © Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
Only four spaces remain for the highly anticipated Yachting Developments New Zealand Match Racing Championships set to be held at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron from October 4th – 7th 2018.
Sixteen teams have already thrown their hats into the ring, including big names like 2016 Champion Chris Steele, as well as a large group of local upcoming talent and five international teams. “After winning in 2016 I missed out on competing last year so I’m definitely looking forward to coming home and trying to get my name back on that trophy.”
Nespresso Youth International Match Racing Champion and RNZYS Performance Programme Skipper Leonard Takahashi has confirmed he will be racing. Takahashi finished 3rd in 2017 and will be keen to get back into some match racing at home in Auckland after going down in a tough Governors Cup final in California whilst also spending months overseas for his Japanese 49er campaign. “I am looking forward to getting back out on the water in the Elliot 7’s to take on what is shaping up to be a really competitive fleet.”
Other notable up and coming entrants include Nick Egnot-Johnson, George Anyon, Jordan Stevenson and the NZ Women’s Match Racing Team helmed by the RNZYS Youth Training Programme’s Celia Willison.
Frankie Dair is another young gun to keep an eye on after winning the NZMRC Qualifying regatta a few weeks ago to gain entry into this year’s main event, and also young Eli Lefting who qualified through winning the Harken Schools Regatta.
Back to attempt to add another title to his resume RNZYS Sailing Director and 2009 NZMRC Champion Laurie Jury, who also finished 3rd at this event in 2008 and 2007.
Defending champion Andy Maloney is still yet to confirm, but Harry Thurston who was on Maloneys victorious 2017 team has entered his own team for this year’s event and will certainly be looking at going back to back.
One of the International teams in attendance will be Yann Rigals team from Tahiti who last week won the Aircalin Match Cup in New Caledonia.
The Yachting Developments NZMRC is a Grade Two event and will once again follow the Fleet/Match format, with the early fleet racing to determine the seeding.
The cut-off date for entries is fast approaching so make sure you get your entries in ASAP if you want to take on what is building up to be the best Yachting Developments NZMRC in years.
For the Notice of Race and Expressions of Interest click here