Racing was so close that the teams in the top four of the Bavaria International Youth Match Racing Championship would have been wise to learn sign language to prevent the opposition listening over their shoulders as tactics were discussed mid-race.
This afternoon saw a momentous tussle for places 1 to 4 with the two CYCA teams aggressively covering and attacking each other for the right to take home the winner’s trophy.
In the end, defending champions Seve Jarvin, Robert Bell and Mark Langford proved too strong for skipper Jacqui Bonnitcha and her crew Tom Clout and Sam Newton and won the Bavaria International Youth Match Racing Championship back to back by 3 races to 1.
“Racing was awesome,” admitted an elated Jarvin this afternoon. “There was also really good sportsmanship and camaraderie in this regatta with teams thanking each other for the competition following each race, even though they had been yelling at each other just minutes earlier”.
Today’s conditions proved tricky for the finalists with fresh southerlies gusting up to 25 knots and lulls of 10 knots, and huge wind shifts of up to 50 degrees as the day progressed.
“It was close to the bitter end,” said regatta organiser Jenni Bonnitcha, “so little divided the top ten teams over four days of racing and wins and losses were by half boat lengths”.
While the six teams, which finished their quest for the minor placings yesterday, looked on from spectator boats, the four Sydney teams put on a memorable show, with the host club eventually claiming the top two spots. This left the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and Royal Prince Alfred Team teams to battle it out for third place, which was ultimately claimed by the RSYS team.
This regatta was supported by a large contingent of volunteers led by Principal Race Officer Doug Talty and International Umpire Richard Slater.
“There were numerous penalties awarded under great pressure during the regatta and having such a qualified umpiring team led by Richard Slater meant that decisions were fast and accurate and the competitors respected the umpires final word,” said Jenni this afternoon.
“I would like to thank all the umpires and Race Officer Doug Talty and his committee for their calm professionalism which reflected the high standard of this regatta”.
Tonight all the competitors are sitting down for the formal prize presentation hosted by CYCA Commodore Martin James and attended by CYCA CEO Mark Woolf and a number of Club Directors as well as Tony Kirby who is representing the naming rights sponsor Bavaria Yachts.
