Perfect Winter Conditions for Round 1 of the Interclub Challenge

12:11 AM Thu 11 Jun 2009 GMT

'YSA Interclub Challenge' Peter Andrews

The Interclub Challenge consists of three regattas held at Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. Each club submits two teams for each regatta. The regatta consists of six races and each team is allowed to discard their worst result. The overall winner of each regatta is determined by the tally of both team's scores.

This regatta is an important event on the Development Squad calendar. It brings together the sailors from the three local match racing squads who will meet many times over the next few years as they compete in the various Club, State and National match racing events.

YSA Interclub Challenge - Peter Andrews

The first regatta of the series was held at the CYCA on Sunday. Conditions were perfect for the Youth Sailing Academy Development Squad sailors with an 8-10 knot north westerly breeze. The Race Committee set the course in Double Bay in the hope that the CYCA Audi Winter Series and the Interclub Challenge race courses would never meet.

Fortunately for the squad of Elliotts the breeze stayed in the north west until the last race when it shifted almost north and required the top marks to be re-layed close to Clarke Island. With the Audi Winter Series fleet only crossing our path between their finish line and the bar, they were happy to keep clear of our final race and many slowed up to watch the close racing between the club teams.

YSA Interclub Challenge - Peter Andrews

The overall team winner was the RSYS with their boats taking the top two places. Their teams skippered by Jordan Reece and Amy Lee finished on 9 and 11 points respectively. The CYCA teams skippered by Henry Kernot and Kurtis Poole finished in 3rd (12 pts) and 4th (16 pts) place and RPAYC teams skippered by Jack Nairn and Tom McClelland finished in 5th (21 pts) and 6th (29 pts) place.

The 'boat of the day' prize of a pair of Harken sailing gloves for each crew member was awarded to the RSYS team of Jordan Reece, Jaidan Stevens, Beren Beowulf and Nick Wubben.

The second regatta in the Interclub Challenge will be held at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron on Sunday 14 June.