Sailing News
12 teams from four nations line up for the HARKEN
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club will
again welcome top international youth
sailors to its doors for the 24th HARKEN
International Youth Match Racing Championship on Pittwater starting Wednesday 16 through to Sunday 20 November.
12 teams from Australia, New Zealand,
Netherlands and USA will be competing
for $2000 of prize money along with being named on the HARKEN International
Youth Match Racing Champion honour
board alongside 2x America’s Cup winning skipper, James Spithill.
Event co-ordinator, Katie Pellew is very
excited with the event having a cash
prize for the first time in the event’s 24
year history.
“This is the first time HARKEN (naming
rights sponsor) has provided a cash prize
for this event, it’s a good reflection on
how match racing is growing in Australia,
especially among our youth sailors.” said
Katie Pellew.
Competitors will race in the Club’s Elliot
7 one design keelboats. This type of one
design match racing put emphasis on the
skills of the sailors rather than the boat.
This year’s field consists of teams from
the Netherlands, New Zealand, USA and
all four corners of Australia. All eyes will
be on event veteran, George Anyon from
the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
Coming into this event, George is the
highest ranked international skipper,
finished runner up in last year’s HARKEN
and will be tipped to win the event given
his previous experience in this event.
However, he is against strong competition, especially from the brother and
sister teams from the Royal Prince Alfred
Yacht Club. Malcolm Parker and his sister,
Sarah Parker will be leading the two
RPAYC teams into the championship.
“I’m really looking forward to this year’s
event, last year I couldn’t commit due to
uni but this year, I’m ready to go, especially against my sister.” Said Malcolm
Parker.
The 2016 HARKEN will have an extensive
media coverage which can be found via
the website and social media pages.
To follow the race visit
www.intyouthmatchracingchampionship.
com.au
@Harkenyouthmatchracing
@rpayc