Musto International Youth Match Racing Regatta 2019 - Day 2

Jordan Stevenson and the Vento Racing team have been working hard to make their way to the top of the leaderboard - Musto International Youth Match Racing © CYCA / Hamish Hardy

There were some big movers on Day 2 of the Musto International Youth Match Racing Regatta as the international teams took charge with all teams fighting for the prized top four spots, which secures these teams a berth in the quarter-finals and skip the repechage round.

Perfect Sydney conditions greeted the fleet on Day 2. Sunshine, warm temperatures and a perfect breeze ranging between seven and 14 knots provided the perfect race track in Rushcutters Bay for match racing.

Jordan Stevenson from Vento Racing redeemed himself after the previous day's collision which cost him a half-point deduction. Day 2 saw him and his team from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron finish with a score of 6-0 to climb into the lead heading into Day 3.

The biggest mover of the day, however, was Great Britain's Matt Whitfield, who skyrocketed from eighth to second after racing finished. For the British team, this week is all invaluable experience as they campaign towards next year's World Championship in the Elliott 7m class in Auckland, New Zealand.

Conditions were ideal for match racing in Rushcutters Bay with blue skies and consistent north-east breeze - Musto International Youth Match Racing - photo © CYCA / Hamish Hardy

Top-ranked competitor Nick Egnot-Johnson continued his undefeated streak until Flight 10, were Matt Whitfield managed to defeat the World #2 and drop Egnot-Johnson to third overall.

For the host Club, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and their three teams, it was a mixed bag of results. James Hodgson and Tom Grimes currently still tied together in fifth place, battling it out with defending champion Frankie Dair for the remaining spot in the top four placings.

Three teams are now set for the Quarter-Finals, with Jordan Stevenson (NZL), Matt Whitfield (GBR) & Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL) commanding the top three spots, booking themselves a place directly into the knock-out stage. Day 3 will see the completion of the final flight of the regatta, with Frankie Dair (USA) and James Hodgson (AUS) now the only two teams which can make it through to the knock-out round directly.

For the remaining teams, points will then restart for the second stage, with a repechage round scheduled for the bottom eight teams.

For more information visit CYCA website and/or Youth Sailing Academy Facebook page.