2018 Australian Match Racing National Championship at CYCA - Day 2
by Jordan Reece 22 Sep 2018 14:42 BST
22 September 2018
DownUnder Racing Team during their unbeatean day 2 - 2018 Australian National Match Racing Championship © Hamish Hardy
DownUnder Racing have continued their winning streak from Day 1 to head into the final day of competition at the Australian Match Racing National Championship undefeated, winning the round robin stages 14-0. New Zealand's Jordan Stevenson also had an impressive Round Robin 2, winning 5 of his 7 matches to storm up the leader-board and qualify in second position.
Today's conditions didn't reach the predicted forecast, with the winds never topping more than 9 knots throughout the day, and with the added Saturday amateur racing fleet on Sydney Harbour, making for an uneven and sloppy sea state for competitors to manage.
For Price and his crew, representing the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, it was another master class in Elliott 7m match racing whilst the rest of the teams battled it out for the remaining semi-final positions. Jordan Stevenson marked his intentions early on to qualify for tomorrow's racing, scoring 4 wins in his opening four races, to apply pressure to the overnight leading teams.
Following the leading two teams after the double round robin were the two Queensland teams and Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club's team helmed by Clare Costanzo, who all ended up tied at the end of the double round robin. In a complicated tie break, Mooloolaba's James Hodgson came out in third place, whilst fellow Queenslanders from Noosa also scrummaged their way into the semi-finals.
It was a tough day on the water however for the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's second team helmed by Olivia Price who fell from their overnight position of second to sixth at the end of the days racing.
Tomorrow will see the semi-finals and finals take place in a epic 20+ knot southerly which is currently forecast. DownUnder Racing have chosen to race Noosa's Klade Hauschildt, leaving James Hodgson and Jordan Stevenson to face each other in the other pairing.
Racing will start at 1100hrs on Sunday 23 September in the vicinity of Rushcutters Bay. The Semi-Finals will be first to 2 points with the Finals currently scheduled for 1230hrs which will be first to three points.
Follow the racing live via cyca.com.au/live-results.