2023 World Sailing Youth Match Racing World Championship at Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Day 2
by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia 12 Dec 2023 18:50 AEDT
9-15 December 2023
2023 World Sailing Youth Match Racing World Championship Day 2 © CYCA
USA's Jeffrey Petersen, along with Australia's Will Sargent, New Zealand's Robbie McCutcheon and Ireland's Tom Higgins have advanced directly to the Quarter-Finals stage, following the completion of the qualifying round today on Sydney Harbour.
The remaining eight teams now sail a repechage with the top four teams joining the quarter-finals.
Sydney Harbour delivered its second day of spectacular conditions as racing was brought into Rushcutters Bay with a building NE sea breeze, resulting in some extremely close races, as each team battled for the Top Four spots.
Defending World Champions, Team USA, continued their unbeaten streak to win the round robin stage and claim the Gerard Bosse Memorial Trophy.
Gérard Bossé was a French International Umpire who passed away last year just prior to this event in 2022 which was being held in his home town, Pornichet, France.
Gérard was a prominent figure in the Fédération Française de Voile. He was passionate about Match Racing and umpiring, which made him one of the leading international specialists in the field and saw him officiate at all the biggest international competitions including the Olympics and the America's Cup.
He was known throughout the sport for his good humour, modesty and desire to share his experience at the highest level with up-and-coming officials and sailors. He was passionate about youth match racing and was instrumental in getting World Sailing to start the Youth Match Racing World Championship.
"It's a huge honour to win this memorial trophy. Gerard was an amazing man and gave so much to this sport, so we are thrilled to win this year. We still know there is a long way to go, however, it was another solid day for us and tomorrow will be a nice break." Commented Petersen following racing.
Petersen and his team may not have that much of a break from sailing though, with the team also winning a ride on Rolex Sydney Hobart Line Honours champions, 100ft Maxi, Andoo Comanche, skippered by John Winning Jr in their twilight race tomorrow on Sydney Harbour.
Local Sydney team, Will Sargent (CYCA) finished in second position after the qualifying stage.
"It was certainly better out there today for us" said Sargnet. "We know these boats well but everyone here is so evenly matched, it can be anyone's race."
Tomorrow racing will continue with the bottom eight team now sailing a repechage round.