Please select your home edition
Edition
Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design
Product Feature
ILCA 4 / Laser 4.7 Replacement Sail - COMBO DEAL
ILCA 4 / Laser 4.7 Replacement Sail - COMBO DEAL

Excitement Builds for the 30th HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship

by Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club 4 Nov 2024 05:15 GMT 18-22 November 2024
HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship © RPAYC

Just two weeks remain until the highly anticipated 30th HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship, and the excitement is palpable! This year's event promises to showcase some of the Southern Hemisphere's finest youth match racing talent, with thrilling match-ups between the Kiwi and Aussie competitors.

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) is proud to host this prestigious event, now in its 30th year of competition, attracting teams from across the ditch in New Zealand and a robust representation of local talent. The selection process was as competitive as ever, resulting in a line-up that includes both developing and experienced youth teams eager to add their names to the impressive cohort already engraved on the coveted Rockin' Robin Perpetual Trophy.

Representing the host club, RPAYC are:

Daniel Kemp, returning for his third consecutive HARKEN, will lead his crew: Isabella Holdsworth (tactics), Lachlan Wallace (trim), Louis Tilly (main), and Charlie Verity (bow). This cohesive team has trained together for nearly two years, gaining valuable experience in international and national competitions, including at the 57th Governor's Cup in Balboa, the Royal New Zealand Youth International, and the recent 2024 Australian Youth Championship, where they finished second.

Hugo Butterworth, also returning to compete, for his second HARKEN, aims to improve upon last year's results. He will skipper a crew comprising Bayley Taylor, Joshua Paulson, Hayley Fisher and Annabelle Sampson. Hugo and his team have diligently followed an intensive regime, seizing every training opportunity on Pittwater and recently competing in the Sailing League Champions Open Finals in Portugal, where they faced formidable opponents.

The teams have been coached by Rob Brewer, recently appointed as the Head Coach of the club. Rob commented "Both RPAYC teams have been training hard and have competed in a number of high-level events over the last year, allowing them to sharpen their skills in high-pressure situations. I'm really looking forward to watching some fantastic racing at this Harken Regatta. "

Strong Competition Awaits

Joining the RPAYC teams are three local teams, including representatives from the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (skippers Thomas Rees and James Hayhoe) and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (skipper Ben Crafoord). From New Zealand, three teams from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will be led by Ethan Fong, Hayden Smith, and Charley Cates.

Fresh from the America's Cup, Richard Slater will head the Umpire team, with club veteran Ted Anderson returning as Race Officer leading a skilled Race Management Team.

Continued Support from HARKEN Australia

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club is delighted to continue its longstanding partnership with title sponsor HARKEN Australia. Grant Pellew, Managing Director of HARKEN Australasia, expresses excitement for this year's event: "We are thrilled to see a diverse array of international teams participating in this milestone regatta. The HARKEN global family eagerly anticipates this event each year, as we remain committed to youth sailing both locally and globally. We wish all teams the best of luck and look forward to witnessing a new name added to the trophy, alongside previous winners who have become America's Cup sailors, Olympians, and World Champions."

Event Details

The championship kicks off on Monday, 18 November, with the official welcome on Tuesday, followed by four days of exhilarating racing from 19-22 November on the RPAYC's fleet of Elliott 7 yachts.

For the full lineup of teams and umpires, visit: www.intyouthmatchracingchampionship.com.au

Follow the regatta on social media:

Related Articles

Int'l Youth Match Racing Champs dates released
RPAYC announce the dates for the 2025 Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship RPAYC is pleased to announce the dates for the 2025 HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship, with the 31st edition set to again be conducted on the beautiful waters of Pittwater, scheduled to occur 19 to 23 November 2025. Posted on 21 May
TP52 Pallas Capital Gold Cup Finale overall
Fierce short course racing at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club The Pallas Capital Gold Cup concluded over the weekend with fierce short course racing and continual progression for all nine teams marking a fitting end to the annual TP52 Australia four-act series. Posted on 19 May
The appeal of offshore
Is there still appeal? Have we made it too onerous? Why would someone take it up now? I had been pondering. Yes. Marquee events have no issue attracting entrants. Middle Sea, Transpac, Cape to Rio, Fastnet, and Hobart all spring to mind instantly, but what of the ‘lesser' races? Lots of boats in pens (slips) a lot of the time Posted on 18 May
GBR team at Hansa and Para World Championships
Rory Mckinna victorious in Sydney Seven British sailors, two coaches and their supporters made the long and arduous journey to Sydney, Australia for the six day regatta. The British team competed in four fleets of racing: SKUD18, Liberty, 303 single and 303 doubles. Posted on 18 May
TP52 Pallas Capital Gold Cup Finale preview
Local heroes put hat in the ring The Act 4 Finale of the 2025 Pallas Capital Gold cup will be sailed on Pittwater from Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club this weekend, including an addition to the fleet with a local team, led by Rear Commodore Peter Farrugia, putting their hat in the ring. Posted on 16 May
Fortune favours the Beneteaus!
Thank you, Huey… Some sun, and a tad of wind means it is time to go racing... Ahead of the annual Beneteau Pittwater Regatta by Flagstaff Marine the weather had not been all that grand. So, peaks of sun migrating to distinct patches, and the occasional zephyr turning into a waft, then on to a calm breeze was fortunate. Posted on 13 May
Koa takes the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour double
Declared overall winner of 226 nautical mile east coast classic yacht race After taking line honours in the 2025 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race late last night, Koa, owned by Andy Kearnan and co-skippered by he and Mark Griffith, was today declared overall winner of the 226 nautical mile east coast classic. Posted on 13 Apr
Pittwater to Coffs Harbour line honours to Koa
Koa also currently holds top spot for overall honours and will be hard to beat Koa, the TP52 owned by Andy Kearnan and co-skippered by he and Mark Griffith, has taken line honours in the 2025 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race that started off Barrenjoey Headland on Friday at 1pm. Posted on 12 Apr
Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race underway
Pretty Woman, Koa and Anarchy were fastest off the line in a light nor' easter A light north-easterly breeze on a warm sunny day set the scene for the 2025 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race start off Barrenjoey Headland at 1pm today, with mono and multihull boats of all sizes and weights, inclusive of two handed-entries. Posted on 11 Apr
It's on for young and old in Pittwater to Coffs
33 boats are lining up for the 2025 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race A wide-ranging field of 33 boats is lining up for the 2025 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race which starts on 11th April at 1pm, the 39th running subject to restrictions on number of entries. Posted on 3 Apr