Saturday saw smiles on the faces of the Advanced Squad sailors with the forecast looking like the breeze would produce some good racing for a change.  The last three weeks of training have been difficult for the squad; with light breezes ending training early and the match cup dvds taking centre stage for the afternoons.  While they do create lots of questions and debate, everyone would rather be out on the water.

One round robin this Saturday and a second round robin next Saturday makes up the Captain John Piper Regatta, sponsored by CYCA member, Dean Harrigan.  This is an important development regatta for the squad with State and National Championships coming up.  This year, the YSA has invited teams from the other match racing youth squads in Sydney and Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron sent a team over to join us.

With the start boat positioned off Point Piper, the westerly only shifted slightly during the day and the Race Officer, Stephen Merrington had racing completed by early afternoon.  Plenty of penalties and two black flag disqualifications from umpires meant that the teams were pushing each other for results. 

The final match of the day saw Evan Walker and Jay Griffin come together with the winner of this match taking the lead. With some confusion on the mark roundings, a protest ashore would decide their place at the end of day one of the regatta.  Griffin and his team are using this regatta as the final practise session for the Governor’s Cup at Balboa Yacht Club in California. They will be departing next Sunday and representing the CYCA in this international youth match racing regatta.

The squad are looking forward to the final day of this regatta next Saturday.

Results at the end of Round Robin 1:
Jordan Reece (RSYS)  6-0
Jay Griffin    4-2
Evan Walker    4-2
Oliver Hartas    3-3
Will Mackenzie   3-3
Josie Roper    1-5
Catherine Trew   0-6