Harken Youth Match Racing Day One - Tiller takes a firm grip

9:16 AM Thu 19 Nov 2009 GMT

'Tiller leads Thurston into the pre start in the 2009 Harken International Youth Match Racing Championships on Pittwater today - 2009 HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championships' Tom Spithill Click Here to view large photo

William Tiller and his crew of Donovan Neil, Shaun Mason, Arnau Farras-Knowles from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron set the early pace with a perfect record to take a firm grip on Day One of the 2009 Harken International Youth Match racing Championship, winning all of their seven matches.

'Really pleased with our efforts today, I couldn't ask for a better start,' Tiller said back at host Club, The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club after racing today.

Round Robin One today comprised 10 flights and racing got underway on schedule under the direction of PRO Ted Anderson who said, 'After the first flight we he had to go into a short postponement as the wind oscillated from 090 to 160, but then shortly thereafter the breeze started to strengthen and go left into a typical summer Nor Easter' providing fantastic sailing conditions on Pittwater and allowing us to finish the first leg of the Round Robin.'

Which the Race Committee did and Tiller leads Day One from another of his RNZYS compatriots Harry Thurston who had five wins from seven, losing only to his sparring partner Tiller and Jordan Reece of the RSYS.

One of the tightest matches of the day occurred in flight six, it saw Jordan Reece (RSYS) up against William Tiller (RNZYS). In a closely contested match not much separated the two boats over the whole course with a luffing duel on the way to the bottom mark with Reece gaining the overlap to obtain the rights and lead at the bottom mark.

They battled it out as they beat back up the course to the top mark for the final time, neck and neck, and as they raced toward the finish line, another luffing duel was contested with Tiller pushing Reece past the pin, forcing them both to drop spinnaker and resulting in Reece trailing Tiller to the line. Reece sailed well but didn't get the points. 'We got him on the bottom mark to turn in front, but we just jybed too early coming to the finish and he managed to take me past the finish line, and that was it. Still waiting for my luck to kick in,' Reece said, who is celebrating his 18th birthday today.

With three teams tied on points behind the two leaders after Round Robin One it makes way for an exciting day's
racing tomorrow as these teams battle it out on Day Two to try and cement a place in the Top four for the semi finals.

Racing gets underway at 0953hrs tomorrow.

Placings after Day One of the completed Round Robin are:

1. RNZYS William Tiller NZL 7/0
2. RNZYS Harry Thurston NZL 5/2
3. RFBYC Pete Nicholas AUS 4/3
3. CYCA Olivia Price AUS 4/3
3. RPNYC Matthew Stevens NZ 4/3
6. RSYS Jordan Reece AUS 2/5
7. RPAYC Jason Waterhouse AUS 1/6
8. RPAYC Reece Tailby AUS 1/6

Waterhouse chasing Reece in their match up in the 2009 Harken Youth MR Champs hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club - 2009 HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championships - Tom Spithill Click Here to view large photo

Follow the 2009 Harken live racing results via the website at www.rpayc.com.au/harken-youth-match-racing-regatta.html

A big thank you to our sponsor Harken Australia in supporting youth match racing and this event for 12 consecutive years. Visit www.harken.com.au

by Damian Devine