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National Youth Training Week 08
Photo: RNZYS Media
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Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme Report
November / December 2008 Report from Coach Guy Pilkington
The Youth Programme has had a very successful few months, competing in three major regattas and also the Hauraki Trifecta Teams Race. On the 15 November, the Youth Programme took charge of three yachts; Playbuoy, Sister Moonshine, and Zero Tolerance to take part in the Hauraki Trifecta, and come away with a win! With Reuben Corbett, William Tiller, and Adrian Short at the helm of each of these boats, they placed 6, 5 and 14 individually, and won the event as a team. A big thanks to Roy Dickson, David Stanton, and Graeme Dagg for entrusting their boats to us, it was an awesome experience for everyone, especially those who had not done much sailing on bigger boats.
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Bavaria Yachts Youth International Match Racing Regatta
25 – 28 November. The Lion Foundation Youth Programme was fortunate again to have two teams compete in this event. We couldn’t ask for much better results, with both teams making the semi finals and finishing first and third. For the first time in seven years, the RNZYS won this prestigious event, with William Tiller and his crew sailing exceptionally well to come away as champions. Helm: William Tiller, Main: Daniel Pooley, Bow: James Maloney, Final place: 1st
Helm: James Williamson, Main: Bradley Farrand, Bow: Donovan Neill, Final place: 3rd. Click here to read William Tiller's report
Harken International Youth Match Racing Regatta, 19 – 23 November
This year we sent two teams to the Harken Regatta, hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Pittwater, Australia.
Helm: Adrian Short, Main: Scott Burling, Trim: Donovan Neill, Bow: James Maloney
Final placing: 2nd
Helm: James Williamson, Main: William Tiller, Trim: Jono Spurdle, Bow: Bradley Farrand
Final placing:5th
Thank you to Roy Dickson who went as part of the team, and coached Adrian and James through the regatta.
Unfortunately the result this year was not as good as last year but there is no question both Youth Programme crews sailed well. Their boat handling, trimming, and general performance was first class. Adrian Short and crew did best to finish second but James Williamson, who won last year was very disappointed with his performance after being top on day one. In some ways, silly errors were a feature of the regatta which struggled to complete a single round robin. Had the Royal Sydney crew successfully carried out either of their failed attempts to absolve a prestart penalty against Tommy Spithill, who was the ultimate winner, when they had plenty of time for both, Adrian would have been the winner.
Once again the conduct, dress, and general behaviour of both teams was excellent and as a result management and transport arrangements were easily handled and went without a hitch.
James’s team, with whom I was accommodated again owe a great debt of thanks to Annie and Trevor for their hospitality and open use of their home as well as Annie’s assistance in getting crew to the next regatta at CYC.
By Roy Dickson
The squadron also thanks the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club for running the regatta and again to Andy and Barbara of “Pearl Diver” who made their boat available for very friendly use by the six crews not involved in the current racing.
LOCAL REGATTAS
New Zealand Match Racing Championships 25 – 30 November
Youth Programme skippers Adrian Short and Reuben Corbett entered this event along with names such as Dean Barker, Rod Davis, Ben Ainslie, and Youth graduates Adam Minoprio and Phil Robertson. While Adrian Short sailed with past and current members of the youth training programme, Reuben Corbett sailed with a full current Youth Programme crew;
Helm: Reuben Corbett
Main: Harry Thurston
Pitt: Tom Blampied
Trim: Jono Spurdle
Bow: Matt Randell
The boys did exceptionally well to give some of the top match racing names in New Zealand a run for their money. In round robin one Corbett and his team came out firing, claiming wins over last years champion Rod Davis and three times Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie!
The match between Corbett and Davis was definitely a highlight of the day, the young team rising to the competition and pushing Davis into a nail biting finish. Davis, having a penalty to complete on the last downwind leg forced Corbett into a trap at the finish line in an attempt to clear his penalty. However by keeping his nose clean, Corbett was able to keep well clear and sail to the finish, beating Davis by 10 seconds. This match triggered the start of a good day for the youth team, as they then went on to beat Ben Ainslie in the following race. This just proves the point that experience isn’t everything in a match racing regatta, where anything is possible!
Reuben Corbett ended up 7th overall, and Adrian Short was 9th. This was a fantastic effort from the young teams.
NATIONAL YOUTH TRAINING WEEK
6th – 13th December. This year we have seven teams participating in this popular week, from as far south as Charteris Bay Yacht Club in Lyttleton right up to Kerikeri Cruising Club. The teams will be sailing with four members in each crew, with several youth programme members staying up in Kawau to coach.
Yacht Clubs participating are: New Plymouth Yacht Cub, Manawatu Marine Boating Club, Napier Sailing Club, Chateris Bay Yacht Club, Kerkeri Cruising Club, Hamilton Yacht Club, Lake Taupo Yacht Club
SPONSORSHIP
A sponsorship opportunity has arisen with one training boat becoming available as from October 2008. We are now seeking a new sponsor to become an integral member of a family of sponsors who all share a genuine passion for sailing and its industry, and who see first-hand the enormous benefits the Programme has made, and will continue to make to New Zealand yachting as it produces sailors that are amongst the best in the world. f anyone is interested in becoming a sponsor please contact Roxanne De Bruyn, our Sponsorship Marketing Manager: Email rdebruyn@rnzys.org.nz
MERRY CHRISTMAS As we enter into summer, the hard work over winter is beginning to pay off with the successes of our youth teams in recent events paying tribute to the structure and discipline that the training programme provides throughout the year. On behalf of the Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme I would like to wish you all a happy and safe Christmas, and look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
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Bavaria Yachts Youth International Match Racing Regatta - RNZYS team v CYCA team in the finals.
Photo: Andrea Francolini.com
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