First ever Tasmanian crew set for Hardy Cup

Skipper Will Sargent (second from right) and his team from Hobart's Derwent Sailing Squadron for the Hardy Cup, left to right, Max Cottier, Ethan Galbraith, Isabella Declerck and Oli Burnell © Amanda Sargent

Tasmania will be represented for the first time in the prestigious Hardy Cup Under 23 youth match-racing event on Sydney Harbour next week.

Will Sargent will skipper a talented team of five young Hobart sailors eager to capitalise on their recent successes in national match racing and fleet championships.

The concept of eminent Australian yachtsman and Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron member Sir James Hardy, the Hardy Cup is a World Sailing Grade 3 international event.

Sailing as a Derwent Sailing Squadron crew called Taz Racing Team, the Tasmanian crew comprises:

• Will Sargent, skipper (current schools match racing national champion, SB20 youth national champion and fresh from Philosopher's success in Melbourne at the Australian Yachting Championships and the Festival of Sails).
• Oli Burnell (also a member of Philosopher's successful crew in Melbourne last week).
• Isabella Declerck (a member of Will's successful Nationals win in the school's match racing championships last year).
• Ethan Galbraith (also a member of Will's Nationals win in the schools match racing championships last year).
• Max Cottier (from Hobart, but now living in Sydney studying and is a part of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia match racing program in Sydney).