Crafoord claims 2026 OCIUS Youth Match Racing Championship
by Jordan Reece 30 Aug 22:09 PDT
29-30 August 2026
Ben Crafoord, Eddie Reid, Jacob Marks and Max Nearn (CYCA) win the OCIUS Youth Match Racing Championship 2026 © CYCA / Ashley Dart
The final day of the 2026 OCIUS New South Wales Youth Match Racing Championship has delivered a thrilling conclusion at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, with CYCA's Ben Crafoord, Eddie Reid, Jacob Marks and Max Nearn defeating RSYS's James Hayhoe 3 - 2 to claim the title.
After finishing the opening day just one point behind the leading pair, Crafoord produced a strong performance throughout Sunday's finals racing to progress through a closely contested semi-final before overcoming Hayhoe in the championship decider.
Crafoord faced Louis Tilly in semi-finals, with the pair trading wins through the opening four races. Crafoord claimed the deciding fifth match to secure a 3 - 2 victory and a place in the final.
Hayhoe's semi-final against CYCA's Craig Wright followed a similar pattern. The two competitors exchanged victories throughout the series before Hayhoe claimed the fifth and deciding race to progress to the final with a 3 - 2 win.
The championship final proved to be another tightly fought contest. Hayhoe took the opening two matches, putting himself in a strong position to claim the title, however Crafoord responded to win the next three consecutive races and complete an impressive comeback to secure the 2026 OCIUS NSW Youth Match Racing Championship.
Wright went on to finish third overall, defeating RPAYC's Louis Tilly 2 - 1 in the Petit Final.
In the remaining placing races, Massimo Henderson (RSYS) secured fifth place with a 3 - 0 victory over Josh Paulson (RPAYC), while Heidi Ferguson (CYCA) claimed seventh place after defeating sister Lucy Ferguson 3 - 0.
The CYCA has hosted every NSW Youth Match Racing Championship since the event's inception in 2001, with the Club holding a long and successful history in the event. This year, OCIUS joined as the Naming Rights Partner.
Overall Results:
1. Ben Crafoord (CYCA)
2. James Hayhoe (RSYS)
3. Craig Wright (CYCA)
4. Louis Tilly (RPAYC)
5. Massimo Henderson (RSYS)
6. Josh Paulson (RPAYC)
7. Heidi Ferguson (CYCA)
8. Lucy Ferguson (CYCA)