Teams from the CYCA Youth Sailing Academy have once again been selected to represent Australia at this year’s World Sailing Youth Match Racing World Championship. Both teams have posted impressive results over the past twelve months, leaving little doubt from Australian Sailing in endorsing them as the Australian representatives.
This sees CYCA sailors selected for a sixth World Championship campaign. As the most successful Club to compete at the World Championship, claiming world titles in 2017, 2019 and 2020 as well as a silver medal in 2016, it is only fitting that the CYCA now hosts the World Championship for the first time in Australia.
Youth Match Racing World #2 Cole Tapper with crew Max Brennan, Hamish Vass & Chelsea Williams head into the Championship as one of the favourites. The team, which formed in late 2022 have picked up regatta titles in nearly every competition they have entered to date.
The impressive run includes victories at the 2022 & 2023 NSW State Championship, Bolle International Youth Match Racing Regatta and the 2023 Australian Youth Match Racing National Championship.
They will be joined by Australia’s second entry skippered by Will Sargent, with crew Eddie Reid, Paige Caldecoat and Hugo Leeming also strong contenders for the world title. Sargent has had an impressive run in 2023 including winning the RSYS Hardy Cup, Aircalin Match Cup, SB20 World Championship and most recently being named Tasmanian Male Sailor of the Year.
The two teams will continue to train hard over the coming weeks with only 2 months to go till the World Championship kicks off. YSA alumni and past World Champions Harry Price, Tom Grimes and James Hodgson are just a few sailors returning to join specific training sessions to make sure both teams are in the best possible position heading into December.
The 2023 World Sailing Youth Match Racing World Championship will be officially opened during the Opening Ceremony on Sunday 10 December. Qualifying racing is scheduled over the first three days from Monday 11 to Wednesday 13 December, before the Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals on Thursday 14 December and Grand Final slated for Friday 15 December.
Spectator vessels are encouraged to register with the Organising Authority so appropriate zones are implemented by Course Marshalls throughout the event to conduct a safe and fair World Championship. To register your vessel, click here.
