CYCA member Reg Lord has secured the 2019 Noakes Group Spring 7s Series, clawing back 9 points after the first evening to win his second series. The series, which is contested over four Tuesday evenings during October, saw six teams contest 13 sprint races on-board the CYCA Youth Sailing Academy’s fleet of Elliott 7m.

Reg Lord, who is a seasoned competitor in the Noakes 7s Series and the current J70 Australian National Champion, had to fight his way back into contention, after J70 rival and friend, Tim Ryan boosted out of the starting blocks, winning the first four races on the trot to open up a 9 point lead over the chasing pack.

Over the next three evenings, Ryan and Lord traded blows, each scoring first or second in the majority of races. Coming into the final day, Lord led by a single point, but Ryan kept his chances alive by winning Race 11 and levelling the overall series.

The final two races however went back to Lord, who took out both races to win the 2019 spring series by 3 points.

Jean-Claude Strong, who is a new skipper to the Elliott 7m showed great improvement through the series, eventually securing the final podium position in third place. Unfortunately, two breakages during Races 1 and 4 limited her chances at a higher place, but she hopes to return to the series in Summer 2020.

The Noakes 7s Series will return once again in Summer 2020, with racing taking place during March.