Issue date
Racing started today at the 2014 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships in Tavira, Portugal where a 12-strong New Zealand team is competing with a representative in all eight classes.
Sunshine and steady breeze in Tavira meant that all fleets completed their scheduled racing including two races apiece in the Laser Radials and 420 classes, and three races for the 29er, the multi-hulls and the windsurfers.
Markus Somerville and Isaac McHardie made the best start of the NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team opening the regatta with a race win in the 29er skiff class featuring 30 boats. They followed the bullet with a 5 and a 4 to lie 3rd overall, on equal points with 2nd, at the end of the first day.
Markus Somerville says; “It’s great to be out racing and we can't wait for tomorrow."
Also making a solid start to the regatta were Micah Wilkinson and Jack Rogers (pictured) in the SL16 multihull scoring 2, 4, 3 from today’s three races and sitting 4th overall on the leader board, on equal points with 3rd place.
In the 420 double-handed classes Sam Barnett and Zak Merton are in 12th, while girl’s representatives Olivia Mackay and Abby Goodwin are in 11th. Both crews took one single-digit score from today and with points close around them will be looking for another good day tomorrow.
Windsurfers Patrick Haybittle and Xanthe Bowater are sitting 13th and 15th in their respective fleets
Our single-handed dinghy sailors, Trent Rippey and Ali Nightingale, are lying 20th and 19th respectively in the boy’s and girl’s Laser Radial fleets. The Radial classes feature the most nations with 46 in the girls and 57 in the boys.
Each nation is allowed only one entry per class and the kiwis are up against the best youth sailors from around the world. Racing resumes tomorrow.
2014 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships, Tavira, Portugal
New Zealand’s current standings:
3rd 29er Skiff Markus Somerville and Isaac McHardie (1, 5, 4)
4th Multihull SL16 Micah Wilkinson and Jack Rogers (2, 4, 3)
20th Laser Radial Male Trent Rippey (23, 17)
19th Laser Radial Female Ali Nightingale (16, 15)
13th RS:X Male Patrick Haybittle (16, 11, 14)
15th RS:X Female Xanthe Bowater (15, 16, 25)
12th Boy’s 420 Sam Barnett and Zak Merton (17, 6)
11th Girl’s 420 Olivia Mackay and Abby Goodwin (5, 14)
The schedule:
Mon 14th: Race day one
Tues 15th: Race day two
Weds 16th: Race day three
Thurs 17th: Race day four
Fri 18th: Race day five, prize-giving and closing ceremony
Media releases updating you on the progress of the NZL Yachting Trust Youth team will be issued daily and published on www.yachtingnz.org.nz throughout the regatta.
Links:
Regatta website
More on the 2014 NZL Yachting Trust Youth Team
Sailor Profiles
For more information contact:
Jodie Bakewell-White
Yachting New Zealand Communications Manager
M: 021 709 065
E: jodie@yachtingnz.org.nz
The team is proudly supported by the following…
NZL Yachting Trust, Oceanbridge, ZHIK, HPSNZ
