A stunning day on Sydney Harbour was met with some fierce racing in the Youth and Open classes today, as they hit the water for their second day of competition at Sail Sydney.
The winds from the working week blew in to Saturday, as 15-20 knot gusts met some strong currents to make for challenging conditions for sailors out on the Harbour.
Full Sail Sydney results
The 29er class has been all about the pairing of Archie Cropley and Max Paul, who have dominated the first two days of competition with five bullets and a second.
“It was pretty windy today. We finished up with two bullets and a second today, so sailing really well in the breeze.” Paul said.
The Middle Harbour sailors have made the most of the conditions, and seem to be enjoying the challenges being set out on the open harbour.
“The weather is awesome. We’ve had two nor’ easters so far, so it’s been great. It’s wet and wild, a bit crazy” added Cropley.
Competition has been tight throughout in the 420 class, and all eyes will be on the placings of Marcelle Torre and Tom Larkings (11 net points), Jamie Bougher and Raff Torre (15 net points), Lachlan Caldwell and Chloe Harper (16 net points) and Quinn Auricht and Angus Higgins tomorrow as they are set to fight out the podium positions.
Zac West from Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron posted three bullets in the Laser 4.7 this afternoon, but it still wasn’t enough to take the lead in to the final day with Brooke Wilson from Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and Double Bay Sailing Club holding on to a 3 net point lead.
A welcome sight on Sydney Harbour has been the women’s RS:X battle between Emma Baillie and Courtney Schoutrop, both from Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron. Baillie holds a three net point lead going in to the final day, but both are relishing the opportunity to test their skills on Sydney’s waters.
“We’ve had a really glamour day out on the Harbour. Just to be in Sydney Harbour has been awesome, beautiful days on Sydney Harbour. Couldn’t get any luckier” said Baillie.
Other class leaders include Samuel Ezra in the Optimist Open, Connor Warner in the Optimist Intermediate, Campbell and Stirling McKay in the Mirrors, Maxwell Yoshida in the Sabot 1 Up, Ryan Healy and Sarah Doolan in the Sabot 2 Up, Ralph and Imogen Stanford in the Tasar, Alex and Sophie Hart in the Flying 11, Grae Morris in the Bic Techno 293 & Plus,
Many of the crews will be packing their bags not long after the final races tomorrow, with more Youth and Open classes getting underway at Sail Melbourne next week.
“We’re heading to Sail Melbourne on Tuesday. We are ready for more racing before the Australian Youth Championships in Tasmania, but at the moment we are just loving the conditions at Sail Sydney and are now just getting ready for the next event” added Max Paul.
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