Semi-Finalists set for the 2025 Helly Hansen International
by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia 24 Jan 11:29 AEDT
20-24 January 2025
Cole Tapper representing the CYCA in the Helly Hansen International © CYCA | Darcie Collington
CYCA's Cole Tapper has finished at the top of the pile after the qualifying stage was completed yesterday, with the United States of America, New Zealand and Great Britain joining Australia as semi-finalists of the 2025 Helly Hansen International.
After losing a day due to gale force winds on Sydney Harbour on Wednesday 22 January, the Race Committee made up for lost time and again managed to complete an entire round robin in a day of nine flights.
At the top of pile is current Youth Match Racing World Champion and Youth America's Cup skipper Cole Tapper, representing the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. Tapper came close to a near perfect day, losing only is final match of the day, metres from the finish against a charging Zac West.
Shuffling down into second was round robin one leader, Jeffrey Petersen from the United States. Petersen finished level on points with Tapper, however lost to him in the second round to drop to second on the leaderboard. Both Tapper and Petersen finished the round with 15 wins, and three losses from 18 races.
Holding down third after a mixed day of results was New Zealand's Josh Hyde. Hyde, who has won both the Hardy Cup and RNZYS Cup in the previous twelve months finished with on 13 - 5 after the double round robin.
The final semi-final position belongs to Zac West. The team had a much more successful round robin two, and claimed victories over the top two teams today, eventually finishing with a 12 - 6 scorecard.
Those results yesterday meant a tough pick for Tapper today, with the results so far showing no clear favourite heading into the final day.
"Its nice to come out on top after the qualifying stage, but really anyone can win races so we have a tough pick this morning for the semi-finals. We seem to have good speed, however we need to firm up some of our decision making if we hope to defend our title." Commented Tapper back at the CYCA following racing.
Today's racing for the semi-finals will begin at 1100hrs, with a first to three point semi-finals. The Finals are anticipated to commence at 1430hrs before the official prize-giving back at the CYCA at 1800hrs.
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