The final match racing event of the year, the Bolle International Youth Match Racing Regatta, returns to the calendar after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Eleven teams from five countries have gathered by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia to contest the ‘Joy Ride’ Perpetual Trophy, racing from Tuesday 22 to Friday 25 November 2022.
The eleven international teams representing Australia, New Zealand, United States of America, Great Britain and France will contest the four-day World Sailing Grade 3 event. This year’s competition sees a welcome return with Bolle Eyewear back on for their third year as naming rights sponsors.
Defending champions, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron have two teams in Sydney for this weeks competition. Both Josh Hyde and Brayden Hamilton may be new to the international youth match racing circuit, however the well established youth training program in Auckland looks set to be top contenders for the week.
Australia’s hopes to recapture the trophy will fall with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Will Sargent and Cole Tapper. Both skippers have been sailing with each other for the past twelve months as part of their Youth Match Racing World Championship bid. Now, they are on opposite sides, both hoping to represent Australia at next year’s World Championship.
Zac West and D’Arcy Kemp complete the Sydney based skipper line up, representing the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club respectively.
Interstate teams from Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club look to be another threat to take home the trophy, with Ethan Prieto-Low heading into the week fresh off victory at last week’s RPAYC Harken International Youth Match Racing Regatta. Fellow Club Member, Marcello Torre also had a strong finish in fourth position.
USA sailors return to the line-up with current Youth Match Racing World Champion Max Brennan and his team representing Balboa Yacht Club. The team will be fired up for another strong result this week after finishing in third position last week.
This will be the 14th year Ocean Clothing Group has supported the event with David Oliver, Chief-Executive Officer commenting “We are delighted to once again be the naming-rights partner for the Bolle International Youth Match Racing Regatta.
“The regatta will see the world’s best young sailors descend upon the CYCA for a great week of action. It is without doubt the pre-eminent youth match racing event in the world – we can’t wait.”
Racing will begin each day at 1200hrs until approx. 1700hrs. Racing can be followed live via the CYCA website and Youth Sailing Academy Facebook page.
