The Yachtsman 2017-2018 The Yachtsman 2017-2018 | Page 25

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
GOVERNOR’S CUP
C
Governor’s Cup Story
alifornia Governor (later US President) Ronald
Reagan granted the Deed of Gift for the
Governor’s Cup to Balboa Yacht Club in 1967
“for the purpose of encouraging Youth Racing
in the State of California and the recognition
of the skill and high performance of those men and women
under twenty years of age…” As an invitation only match
racing regatta, the Governor’s Cup was established by the
late Chet and Glee Purcell. Mr. and Mrs. Purcell had a vision
that a national match racing competition should be created
for younger sailors, similar in format to the internationally
recognized Congressional Cup Regatta.
As the years progressed, the Governor’s Cup grew in
popularity with its first international team participating
in 1989. Since then teams from the United Kingdom,
New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, Finland and Spain have
participated and become regular entrants and often
multiple winners. The Cup has served as a gateway for
future champions in collegiate competition, the Olympics,
Congressional Cup, Swedish Match Tour and numerous
America’s Cups.
Teams are invited to participate based on their World
Sailing rankings. The RPAYC has been represented for a
number of years at the Gov Cup from squads in the Clubs
Youth Development Program.
RPAYC Youth Development Sailors finish 7th
at Governor’s Cup, USA
eam Fusion continued their strong form to finish
off today with two wins to retain their 7th place,
winning their sail off against Matt Whitfield
(GBR). Even though the results show a clean
sweep for the Alfred’s Girls, there were plenty
of lead changes. Ultimately the teams downwind speed saw
them able to be able to stretch away from Whitfield and take
a convincing win.
“Obviously our competitive nature means we still aren’t
content with our results, however, we are pleased with how
our team performed, particularly in the second half of the
regatta where we were able to climb our way up in the second
round robin against this competitive fleet”, commented an
inspired Costanzo.
Fellow Aussie Harry Price took the Championship win,
beating Leonard Takahashi 3-2 in what was a dramatic finals,
which included a dis-masting, with the boats experiencing
“fresh” conditions with the wind reaching up to 17 knots.
This may not seem windy, but 99% of the time the boats are
sailing in 0-10 knots of breeze, and hence they are designed
for that wind speed.
N S W Y O U T H M AT C H R A C I N G
CHAMPIONSHIPS
The team would like to thank the members, sponsors and
supporters who have helped support them along the way.
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club would like to thank
the Balboa Yacht Club for running another terrific event.
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YA C H T S M A N R PAY C
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ine teams, representing five
yacht Clubs and two States were
competing for the title of NSW
Youth Match Racing Champion
over the two-day event held at
the CYCA on the weekend.
This was the first event for the Australasian
Youth Match Racing Circuit for 2018/19
and an opportunity for our RPAYC Youth
Development Sailors to send two teams. With
a fresh influx of first time participants in the
Club’s world renowned Youth Development
Program, this regatta provided a perfect
opportunity to introduce some of these sailors
to their first match racing regatta.
Niall Powers hopped on the helm for his
first go as skipper, after having a tough first
day with no wins on the board, Powers and
his team came out the next day and showed
great improvement winning three out of their
four races.
James Farquharson skippering the second
RPAYC team had a tough and bloody day
on the water. During the RPAYC V RPAYC
match, Farquharson had amassed a handy
lead against sparring partner Powers.
Farquharson was gybing into the bottom
mark when crew member Zoe Whitlock got
her pinky finger caught between the spinnaker
pole and the mast. At first Zoe thought it was
a slight pinch, however, on closer inspection
it was quite a serious cut with blood spilling
over the foredeck. Farquharson immediately
showed good seamanship, calling over the
umpire and safely transporting Zoe off the
boat to receive medical treatment.
Whilst Farquharson is more accustomed
to finishing further up the scoreboard, he
showed great patience and team spirit,
helping his team of newcomers learn the ins
and outs of Match Racing.
“This was a great opportunity to introduce
some new faces into the mix, and “Bleed”
them into the sport of match racing (No pun
intended!), I was really impressed with some
of our senior squad members who showed
great maturity helping their new squad
members getting up to speed.”
“Going forward now we have the luxury
of developing some intense in house training
as we prepare for the upcoming regattas”,
commented a insouciant Tom Spithill
(Head Coach).
Thank you to the CYCA for once again
hosting the NSW Youth Match Racing
Championships. Congratulations to the
winners Tom Grimes and Team.

Club Marine NSW
Youth Match Racing
Championships
The next event for the
RPAYC Youth Development
Program will be the David
Lukins Memorial Regatta
15-16 September hosted
at the Royal Prince Alfred
Yacht Club.
 A big thank you to the Don and Doris Stoughton,
who have hosted RPAYC teams for over 20 years.
Left - L to R (Club Coach Tom Spithill, Hannah Lanz, Jess
Angus, Doris Stoughton (Host Mum), Ruby Scholten, Clare
Costanzo, Don Stoughton (Host Dad)
R PAY C YA C H T S M A N
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