The opening day of the Captain John Piper Regatta delivered more summer like conditions as Sydney Harbour turned on a beautiful afternoon of sailing for the seven teams competing from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club.
Supported by CYCA member Dean Harrigan, the Captain John Piper Regatta is a two-day, World Sailing Grade 4 match racing event, allowing teams to get in their final warm up event before the official start to the summer match racing calendar begins at next month’s Club Marine NSW Youth Match Racing State Titles.
This morning saw the Race Committee push hard to complete two flights in a light westerly breeze in Rushcutters Bay before a one and a half hour break as the breeze shifted and built from the north-east.
At the end of the day, CYCA’s India Howard came ashore with a perfect score, winning all 6 of her round robin matches. Howard is closely trailed by John Cooley (CYCA), who has recently returned from the 49er European Championship. Cooley, who is competing in his first match racing regatta as helm had an impressive first outing, only losing one match to Howard late in the day.
James Pagett (CYCA) then follows in third with Chelsea Williams scraping through to tomorrow’s semi-finals after a count back went her way over fellow CYCA Development Match Racing Team Charles Rickwood.
Harry Miller from Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club lays in 6th place and Finley Scade in 7th. Tomorrow will see the semi-finals and Finals take place in what looks to be similar conditions to today.
