2026 Warren Jones International Match Racing Regatta - Day 2
by John Roberson 28 Jan 21:27 GMT
26-30 January 2026
Marcello Torre and his Gage Roads Sailing team rolled on through the second day of the Warren Jones International Youth Regatta still undefeated after ten rounds of match racing. Speaking at the end of the day the local skipper put their performance down to "experience".
Representing the host Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, Torre is probably the most experienced skipper of this event and the Foundation 36 boats, in which it is contested, of all those taking part. He first competed in the event as a teenager, and this is the last year in which he will be eligible to compete as he will be over age next year.
Though he made short work of all his opponents during the day, he said the most "nerve wracking" was the first race of the day, sailed in light winds that were shifty and unreliable. Once the sea breeze filled in he felt more comfortable and was able to control every match.
Last year's winner, Cole Tapper from Sydney's Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, currently holds second place two points behind the leader. The big improver of the day was Daniel Kemp, representing the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, who moved from fifth place up to third, another point down the leaderboard.
New Zealand's Josh Hyde failed to live up to his first day performance and has slipped down to equal fourth with Denmark's Matias Rossing and Den Crafoord, another Sydneysider.
Conditions on the second day were a little less testing than those encountered on the opening day of the event. In the morning there was a fickle easterly breeze, which soon faded before the fabled Fremantle Doctor sea breeze established itself though not quite as firmly as the previous day, topping at about 18 knots.
With only one more round robin heat to be sailed on the third day, the interesting battle is going to be for the last two qualifiers to go through to the quarter finals.
Results after day 2:
1. Marcello Torre RFBYC AUS 10pts
2. Cole Tapper CYCA AUS 8pts
3. Daniel Kemp RPAYC AUS 7pts
4. Ben Crafoord CYCA AUS 6pts
5. Matias Rossing RDYC DEN 6pts
6. Josh Hyde RNZYS NZL 6pts
7. Ethan Fong RNZYS NZL 4.5pts
8. Zac West RSYS GBR 4pts
9. Hayden Smith RNZYS NZL 3pts
10. Mia Lovelady RFBYC AUS 2pts
11. Angus Cameron RFBYC AUS 1.5pts
12. William McAullay RPYC AUS 1pts