Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - LEADERBOARD

Top youth match racers set to battle for the 2025 Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup

by Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron 26 Feb 15:12 PST 27 February - 2 March 2025

The world's top youth match racers are gearing up for the highly anticipated 2025 Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup, taking place from February 27 to March 2 at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS).

Known as the unofficial Youth Match Racing World Championship, this event attracts elite sailors from across the globe, many of whom have gone on to achieve greatness in professional sailing. Past winners include notable names such as Nick Egnot-Johnson, Leo Takahashi, Harry Price, George Gautrey, Gavin Brady, Josh Junior, and America's Cup winner Jimmy Spithill.

RNZYS Performance Sailing Manager, and former Match Racing World Champion Zak Merton said, "Some amazing yachties have won this event over the years and the best of the best complete in this regatta and have gone onto some epic careers in sailing."

Over four action-packed days, competitors will battle it out in a demanding format featuring double round robins for the first three days, followed by semi-finals and finals on the last day. The ultimate goal? To claim the coveted title of 2025 Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup champion.

Defending champion Josh Hyde, skipper of Waitemata Racing, returns to the event with his formidable crew - Mason Mulcahy, Zach Fong, Sofia Higgott, and Cody Coughlan - determined to hold onto their title. Hyde and his team have had a stellar season, recently winning the Hardy Cup in Sydney and finishing as the top youth team at the prestigious Warren Jones Regatta in Perth. Hyde currently sits as the No. 2 ranked youth match racer in the world.

"Waitemata Racing is super excited to be out on our home waters this week at the Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup, said Hyde on behalf of his dedicated team.

"We hope to carry forward the momentum from our recent win at the Hardy Cup and look to put in an even better performance. It's great to see all the top Oceania teams coming over for our event, and we expect really tight racing. The team dynamic is feeling really strong at the moment, implementing daily rituals of Tai Chi and dock out tunes to keep vibes up and heads dialed," continued Hyde.

Among those eager to challenge Hyde is World No. 3 youth match racing helm Daniel Kemp of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. Kemp has established himself as a strong contender in the match racing scene and will be looking to make his mark on the Auckland waters.

James Hayhoe and his team, representing the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, will also be ones to watch. After finishing as runners-up at the 2025 Hardy Cup, Hayhoe is eager to prove himself in his first-ever competition at RNZYS.

Travelling the farthest for this prestigious event is William Stratton and his team from Del Rey Yacht Club, USA. With top international talent in the mix, competition is expected to be fierce.

The PredictWind forecast suggests a light-wind regatta, making local knowledge and strategic decision-making crucial—especially when navigating the strong tidal flows of the RNZYS racecourse.

The event will be sailed in the Emirates Team New Zealand fleet of Elliott 7s, which were generously gifted to RNZYS in February 2024 by the America's Cup-winning team. With evenly matched boats and top-tier talent, the racing promises to be intense, and the title remains anyone's for the taking.

Results from this regatta go towards a team's world ranking.

Event Website: rnzys.org.nz/sailing/youthinternational

Related Articles

Admiral's Cup: La Dolce Vita meets the Haka
Yacht Club Costa Smeralda launches assault for the Admiral's Cup Giovanni Lombardi Stronati has entered two boats for the 2025 Admiral's Cup that will be competing under the burgee of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS). Posted on 29 May
America's Cup: Emirates Team NZ respond
Emirates Team New Zealand has responded to the statements sent overnight (NZT) Emirates Team New Zealand has responded to the statements sent overnight by two Challenger teams calling for more transparency in the negotiations over the Protocol and venue for the 38th Match. Posted on 22 May
2025 Toyota Youth Match Racing Cup - Final
Waitemata Racing, led by skipper Josh Hyde, emerged victorious after four days of racing After four days of thrilling competition, Waitemata Racing, led by skipper Josh Hyde, has emerged victorious at the 2025 Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup, successfully defending their title in a two race final at the RNZYS. Posted on 3 Mar
NZ Millennium Cup: Kawil makes it a double - Day 3
Kawil takes final race, and the 2025 NZ Millennium Cup comes to a close The final race of the 2025 NZ Millennium Cup has come to a close and Kawil has been named overall series winner. Posted on 5 Feb
NZ Millennium Cup: Kawil made her move - Day 2
Kawil made her move from second to first place overall on the second day of the NZ Millennium Cup. On a day of light airs and a swift course around Rakino Island, Kawil made her move from second to first place overall on the second day of the NZ Millennium Cup. Posted on 3 Feb
The Yacht Sales Co. at 2025 Auckland Boat Show
The world's leading sail models will be on show 6-9 March The Yacht Sales Co. (incorporating Multihull Solutions) will showcase some of the world's leading sail models at the 2025 Auckland Boat Show from 6 - 9 March. Posted on 3 Feb
NZ Millennium Cup: Sea Eagle wins on Day 1
There was no stopping Sea Eagle's romp on Day 1 of the Millenniumn Cup The New Zealand Millennium Cup is underway and Sea Eagle has taken the win on Day 1 in the Auckland regatta. Posted on 2 Feb
NZ Millennium Cup is underway
The NZ Millennium Cup has begun, with regatta visitors welcomed to the city by Auckland's mayor. The world's most-southerly superyacht regatta is underway tonight, with Auckland's mayor welcoming the fleet to the City of Sails. Posted on 1 Feb
The Yacht Sales Co. sponsor RNZYS Squadron Weekend
Held on New Zealand's Kawau Island from 14-16 February The Yacht Sales Co. is delighted to be the major sponsor of the famous RNZYS Squadron Weekend. Posted on 30 Jan
2025 Auckland Anniversary Regatta event details
Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta: everything you need to know Auckland Anniversary Day regatta gets underway on January 28, in fresh SW winds and bright sunshine. Posted on 26 Jan
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERHyde Sails 2024 - One DesignZhik 2024 December