Australian Youth Match Racing Championship at Cruising Yacht Club of Australia - Day 2
by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia 2 Oct 2019 19:05 BST
1-4 October 2019
The semi-final berths are still wide open on Day 2 - Australian Youth Match Racing Championship © Andrea Francolini
It was another spectacular spring day in Sydney for Day 2 of the Australian Youth Match Racing Championship at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, with a further eight flights completed in the qualifying stage.
The CYCA's James Hodgson maintained his perfect scorecard into second round robin, with another seven wins today, securing him the top spot for the semi-finals. The win also means Hodgson will not race in the next stage of the championship, where the remaining six teams complete a seperate third round robin to determine the remaining three spots for the semi-finals.
Racing started on time, with a stronger sea breeze than day 1, which today started at around 12-15 knots and built to fresh 23 knots during the mid-afternoon. The race course was shifted slightly to the North today making Clark Island a key decision making point on the race course while providing an ideal vantage point for spectators to view the racing.
With Hodgson resting until the semi-finals begin, all eyes turn to Stage 2 of the championship, where Finn Tapper from the CYCA currently leads. Tapper had another few close races today and is only one point clear of Will Sargent, who is showing strong development in the Elliott this week for time he has spent sailing them.
Sargent remains in third position on 8-7, with RPAYC's Alistair Read in fourth on 7-8. These two have a small advantage over fifth placed Hugo Stoner from the CYCA, who holds a 5-10 scorecard with four races to go.
Stoner will need a strong start tomorrow when he is matched up against Read. This will be a defining moment in both team's event; if Stoner loses this race, it almost guarantees Sargent and Read a place in the semi-finals baring collision penalties. If Stoner can take the race from Read, he will come within one point of him for the final semi-final spot.
Finn Niemeier from the Northern Territory cannot be counted out yet for the semi-finals, but will need to win every race he has left in the stage.
Racing will continue tomorrow at 1200hrs with the intention to complete the third round robin and commence the semi-finals. Racing will again take place in the vicinity of Clark Island, with spectators kept right in the action as Sydney shines.
Find results here.