Please select your home edition
Edition
PredictWind - GO! exec 728x90 TOP

CYCA crowned Australian Women's Match Racing Champions

by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia 14 Oct 2019 00:43 PDT 12-13 October 2019
The winning Cruising Yacht Club of Australia team of Emma Byrne, Chelsea Williams, India Howard (skipper) and Jess Tavener © CYCA

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's Youth Sailing Academy (YSA) team of India Howard, Jess Tavener, Emma Byrne and Chelsea Williams have been crowned national champions following their success on the weekend at Mooloolaba Yacht Club (MYC) in Queensland at the Australian Women's Match Racing Championship.

The regatta attracted five teams from across New South Wales and Queensland for the three-day event, sailed on the MYC's fleet of Elliott 6 yachts.

From Day 1, Howard and her team pushed hard, completing two round-robins and topping the first day's racing. Out of the eight races, the team only lost two, which placed them one point ahead of Sarah Johnson from MYC and Danielle Kennedy, also from MYC. Day two saw more of the same with Howard still leading at the conclusion of the triple round-robin stages.

After topping the qualifying stage, Howard chose to race fellow NSW team led by Nina Long from Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club in the semi-final. Having beaten NCYC twice in the round robin, Howard sailed extremely well in the first to three point semi-finals, whitewashing the series, 3-0. In the other semi-final Sarah Johnson also won 3-0 over Danielle Kennedy to set up an interesting Finals.

In another first to three point series, the start to Race 1 could not have gone worse for the CYCA with Howard picking up a penalty as well as being called OCS, gifting Johnson the early lead. However, continuing their success from the semi-finals, the CYCA team clawed the lead back to eventually pass, then penalise the MYC team at the final top mark, to round in front and head to the finish line to take the win.

Races 2 and 3 went a lot smoother with Howard sailing cleanly and faster to knockout the final series 3-0 to claim her first National Title.

"We are absolutely thrilled with how today went," skipper India Howard said after the event.

"We never thought [Sunday] would be a 6-0 day but the girls and our team have improved all week and it all came together."

For the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, this was their first Women's Match Racing National title in six years, and only the second time a Club has ever won all divisions of match racing nationals in the same year (Open, Youth & Women's). In 2009 the CYCA first conquered the triple quest, and now a decade on has done it again, showcasing the incredible depth and talent currently being produced by the CYCA Youth Sailing Academy.

Full results available here.

Related Articles

CYCA Publishes report reviewing 3 incidents
In the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart and Commits to Implementing Safety Recommendations The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) has published the full independent review report into the three incidents in the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, which tragically saw two fatalities and a man overboard (MOB) incident. Posted on 13 Jun
Admiral's Cup vs. Rolex Fastnet Interclub Trophy
CYCA is proud to be competing in two prestigious interclub competitions The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) is proud to be competing in two prestigious interclub competitions — the revived Admiral's Cup and the Martin Illingworth Trophy — as part of the 2025 Rolex Fastnet Race. Posted on 12 Jun
New Caledonian duo set sights on RSHYR
Two French sailors based in New Caledonia will take on the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race When Yann Rigal and Michel Quintin began sailing Double Handed in 2020, Rigal had his doubts. "When Michel called me and said, 'Are you in?' I was like, 'Wow, that's crazy but yes, let's go'," Rigal laughed. Posted on 11 Jun
Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race gathers steam
Over 50 registrations for the CYCA's event that starts on Saturday 26 July The Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race has received over 50 registrations, for the CYCA's event that starts on Saturday 26 July. Posted on 11 Jun
CYCA and RFBYC announce partnership
To host Australia's premier match racing events The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club are pleased to announce a joint partnership between the two Clubs to host Australia's premier match racing events in January each year. Posted on 5 Jun
The call of the mighty
See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action See the words Admiral's Cup and you immediately think approachable, real, hardcore action, braving the elements, and glory for the victorious. As an Australian, you have King Louie (the late Lou Abrahams), and the late Sir Jim Hardy as the poster boys. Posted on 1 Jun
PONANT Sydney Noumea Yacht Race draws to a close
With all three competing yachts now officially retired The 2025 PONANT Sydney Noumea Yacht Race has concluded with all three competing yachts now officially retired. Posted on 1 Jun
Ponant Sydney Noumea Race Start in Images
A light and variable breeze got the three-boat fleet away in the afternoon light It was a quiet start to the Ponant Sydney Noumea Race, with the fleet the leaving Sydney Harbour in a light and variable breeze. Grant Wharington and Adrian Seiffert's Wild Thing 100 led the fleet of three down the harbour on a close reach Posted on 31 May
Ponant Sydney Noumea Yacht Race pre-start overview
Returning this weekend, rekindling an offshore classic that has tested sailors for generations The historic PONANT Sydney Noumea Yacht Race returns this weekend, rekindling an offshore classic that has tested sailors for generations. Posted on 30 May
America's Cup Power Plays
And Growing Sailing Through Learning There's always so much speculation and intrigue in-between each edition of the America's Cup. Everyone wants to know what is happening behind closed doors, inside the teams, and when the Challengers meet with the Defender. Posted on 28 May
Zhik 2024 DecemberDoyle_SailWorld_728X90px_cruise BOTTOMLloyd Stevenson - AC ETNZ 1456x180px BOTTOM