The Captain John Piper Regatta at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) kicked off in spectacular fashion today, with racing featuring gusty conditions of up to 26 knots at times for the eight competitive teams taking to the waters in a thrilling display of boat handling and match racing.

The first day of racing saw the completion of the round-robin phase, showcasing a mix of seasoned sailors and enthusiastic newcomers. The standout performance of the day came from Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron’s own James Hayhoe, who made an impressive debut as skipper. Hayhoe, navigating his first-ever event at the regatta, emerged as the leader of the pack with an outstanding 6 – 1 scorecard.

Hayhoe’s performance sets the bar high for the remaining competitors. His team’s success makes them the team to beat as the regatta progresses tomorrow.

CYCA’s Ben Crafoord also had a standout day, finishing in second place at the end of the round-robin phase. Crafoord’s consistent sailing positioned him as a formidable competitor, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the regatta.

With the round-robin completed, attention now shifts to the semi-finals and finals, where the top teams will battle for the regatta title. Tomorrow’s races promise to be action-packed, with intense competition expected as sailors aim for the top spot on the podium.