(From the CYCA web site: www.cyca.com.au)

Tight Racing on Day One of Harken Women’s International Match Racing Regatta

Harken Women’s International Match Racing Regatta got underway at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia today. A perfect Sydney day greeted the sailors this morning as they gathered for breakfast and briefing on the deck but unfortunately with a big program scheduled and the harbour looking like a millpond; it was not the start we had hoped for. Leaving the dock was hopeful and after floating around for about an hour, the Elliotts were sent ashore to wait for the breeze to come in. With the north easterly filling in, the crews were out on the water again by 11am and racing started soon after. Denis Thompson, the Race Officer, pushed through the racing to complete eight flights (40 races), a great achievement for the day after a delayed start.

As the breeze picked up to a steady 12 – 15 knots and the crews settled into the racing, the vocals and the ‘Y’ flags where getting plenty of use. Some very close racing produced exciting finishes from many competitors, eventually seeing three teams finish with 7 wins – 1 loss, Katie Spithill, Amanda Scrivenor and Lucinda Whitty, all sailing for the Australian Sailing & Development Squad, followed closely by Nicky Souter, AS & DS and Samantha Osborne, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron on 5 wins – 3 losses.

The weather tomorrow for the second day of racing is forecast to be stronger than today and the race committee hopes to get through the second round robin of the competition.

Places at the end of day one:

Katie Spithill (AUS) 7-1
Amanda Scrivenor (AUS) 7-1
Lucinda Whitty (AUS) 7-1
Nicky Souter (AUS) 5-3
Samantha Osborne (NZL) 5-3
Stephanie Hazard (NZL) 3-5
Juliana Senfft (BRA) 2-6
Amy Lee (AUS) 2-6
Catherine Trew (AUS) 2-6
Kim Stuart (USA) 0-8

Click here to view complete results.