Please select your home edition
Edition

2023 Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club Overall

by R.P.A.Y.C. Sailing Office 8 Dec 2023 03:01 PST 4-8 December 2023

Congratulations to Zac West with his team Jameson Prescott, James Hayhoe, Emily Keg, Brooke Wilson, (RSYS), 29th Champion of the HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship 2023.

In a thrilling final between Ben Tylecote from GBR representing Rutland Sailing Club and Zac West from AUS representing the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, West took the first 2 wins in a best-of-five finals showdown. Tylecote returned with true determination in a neck-and-neck race to take race 3. Race 4 had both teams switching positions, West with a 2-point lead only needed 1 more race win to take the championship. Every decision counted!

West inched ahead to take the win and the celebrations started!

Both West and Tylecote fought hard throughout today's races winning by the smallest of margins through their respective Semi-Final matches with straight wins against Frewin from NZL and Kemp from Australia to make it to the final.

Pittwater stayed true to its form making racing tricky for all competitors with its flickty weather. Competition was close across all teams with the smallest of errors costing them the win.

Principle Race Officer, Ted Anderson claimed the 29th Harken International Youth Championship as his best event ever, not from just the skill of the teams, the quality of umpires, and his champion team on water but from the comradery and mateship of all involved in the event.

Chief Umpire Richard Slater who umpires America Cup events, Sail GP and advisers many classes on rules stated that "Ümpiring for the Harken Event this week with his fellow umpires has been an absolute joy, all the teams showed exceptional sportsmanship, took on our feedback and rulings without dispute. Truly made it a pleasure to be a part of the event".

Harken Managing Director Australasia Grant Pellew with his daughter Chloe assisted with presenting the top 3 placegetters with this year's awards. Pellew said "It was great to see you all competing today, each year the level of competition grows and to see new countries compete has been fantastic. "Harken has been supporting this event for 24 years, with the event in 2024 the 30th and Harken's 25th year of support it's going to be bigger and better".

RPAYC Commodore, Robert McClelland presented the Rockin'-Robin Perptual Trophy' on behalf of Robyn Wiltshire. Robyn specifically sent her best wishes to congratulate all competitors, and, to toast our newest Champion.

The 2023 Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship is wrapped up for another year and what an amazing week we've had here in Pittwater.

Thank you to the Race Management team for making the event possible and to the umpires and competitors who've travelled far and wide to be a part of the event.

Congratulations again to Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron for their win and to the rest of the competitors. The standard of racing this week was extremely high and the calibre of talent in the teams was amazing.

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club looks forward to seeing you all again next year for the 30th edition of the Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship.

Visit the website to view the full lineup of teams and umpires: www.intyouthmatchracingchampionship.com

Follow the regatta on social media:

2023 Final Standings:

10th Place:
   Hugo Butterworth (AUS)
   Bayley Taylor
   Walter Tuite
   Josh Paulson
   Annabelle Sampson

9th Place:
   Mia Lovelady (AUS)
   Matilda Rowell
   Rosie Rowell
   Drina Bucktin
   Sophie Townes

8th Place:
   Rory Sims (NZL)
   Ella Arnold
   Ethan Fong
   Harry McMullen
   Sam Scott

7th Place:
   Richard Rychlik Jr (CAN)
   Jack Porter
   Cameron Bruce
   Rachel Green
   Josh Hyde

6th Place:
   Nicolas Bernal (BRA)
   Marcos Arndt
   Bruna Patricio
   Carolina Witsiers
   Gabriel Michaelis

5th Place:
   Tom Higgins (IRL)
   Jamie McMahon
   Fiona Ferguson
   Xavier McLachlan
   Riley Evans

4th Place:
   Jack Frewin (NZL)
   Oliver Gilmour
   Oliver Lloyd
   Sofia Higgott

3rd Place:
   Daniel Kemp (AUS)
   William Hough
   Lachlan Wallace
   Charlie Verity
   Isabella Holdsworth

2nd Place:
   Ben Tylecote (GBR)
   Freya Pembury
   Jamie Tylecote
   Finian Morris
   Terry Hacker

1st Place & Champions
   Zac West (AUS)
   Jameson Prescott
   James Hayhoe
   Emily Keg
   Katina Casimaty

Related Articles

Harken International Youth Match Racing Champs
Aail biting finish to the 30th edition on Pittwater! The Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship concluded with an exhilarating final day of action in perfect racing conditions. A steady 10-15 knot northeast breeze set the stage for an unforgettable showdown. Posted on 26 Nov
Harken International Youth Match Racing Countdown
Excitement builds at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club The excitement is building as the 30th Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship approaches, with just three days until the first race. Posted on 18 Nov
Entry open for Pantaenius Pittwater Regatta
Pantaenius Australia welcomed aboard as long term naming rights sponsor Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) welcomes Pantaenius Australia aboard as long term naming rights sponsor for the Pittwater Regatta Posted on 13 Nov
Anticipation builds for the Hansa Worlds
Top competitors from across the globe are gearing up for fierce competition in March 2025 Anticipation is building as sailors worldwide prepare for the 2025 Hansa World Championships, set to be hosted at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Newport, Australia. Posted on 10 Nov
HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Preview
Just two weeks remain until the highly anticipated 30th event Just two weeks remain until the highly anticipated 30th HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship, and the excitement is palpable! This year's event promises to showcase some of the Southern Hemisphere's finest youth match racing talent. Posted on 4 Nov
Rob Brewer Appointed as Head Coach
At Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Rob Brewer as Head Coach, joining our accomplished Sailing Team. Posted on 21 Oct
Quantock Triumphs in Flinders Islet Race
The Wild Rose Division requires at least 25% of the crew to be female In a spectacular feat of skill and determination, Ali and Dave Hobbs and their yacht, Quantock, sailed to victory in the Wild Rose division of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) Flinders Islet Race. Posted on 7 Oct
Entries open for the Hansa Worlds 2025
Royal Prince Alfred YC to host in New South Wales, Australia The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club together with International Hansa Class Association is excited to announce the opening of entries for the 2025 Hansa World and International Championships, for both competitors and coaches. Posted on 13 Sep
Hansa Worlds 2025 Notice of Race published
Taking place at the prestigious Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club The Hansa World & International Championships 2025 is set to sail into action in March, at the prestigious Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. Posted on 29 Jul
Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025 update
Chasing titles and records Both the reigning line honours champion and overall winner of Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club's inaugural Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race are to return for the second edition of the race in 2025 in a bid to reclaim the titles they captured. Posted on 4 Jun