The 2023 HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship will once again host some of the World’s best youth match racing talent, with competitors travelling from across the world, including UK and Ireland, New Zealand, Canada and Brazil, as well as a strong representation from across Australia.
After receiving over 20 applications from teams to compete, the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Newport, NSW, had a tough decision to select the final 10 teams. The 2023 line up sees an exciting mix of developing and experienced Match Racing teams, looking to have their name etched on the Rockin’ Robin Perpetual Trophy.
The 2023 edition sees 5 skippers taking part in their first event at RPAYC. International entrants include Nicolas Bernal from Santo Amaro Yacht Club in Brazil, Ben Tylecote from Rutland Sailing Club in Great Britain, Jack Frewin from Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Tom Higgins from Royal Saint George Yacht Club in Ireland, and Richard Rychlik Jr from Oakville Yacht Squadron in Canada.
RPAYC’s Senior Head Instructor commented on the line up of teams for this years Championship. 'The excitement is building as we look forward to welcoming emerging youth match teams from all over the world to Pittwater. To have 6 different nations, and 9 clubs represented is a testament to the global recognition of this world class event'.
Leading the local talent competing at this years are two teams from Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. Daniel Kemp finished in 5th position in the 2022 edition of the HARKEN Youth Match Racing Championship.
''After competing last year, it is awesome for myself and the team to have the opportunity to once again represent our home club RPAYC at this prestigious event – we can not wait for the racing to begin!'' Daniel said
Hugo Butterworth, also from Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, was a crew member in last years event, but is now stepping up to lead a team.
''This year’s HARKEN will be my first Grade 3 event as a Skipper, and the suspense is very intense! As a team we are super excited for the fierce competition and experience that lays ahead of us.'' Hugo said
Not only will the 2023 HARKEN Championship attract sailors from across the world, but RPAYC is also thrilled to once again welcome an experienced Race Management and an international cast of Umpires, with club stalwart Ted Anderson returning as Race Officer, and Richard Slater heading up the Umpire team.
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club is delighted to maintain the longstanding support of title sponsor HARKEN Australia.
Grant Pellew, HARKEN Australasia Managing Director is looking forward to seeing the teams compete this year.
‘This year we have a huge range of international teams from around the globe, which is great to see. The HARKEN global family looks forward to this long-standing regatta each year as we are very committed to youth sailing both locally and globally. We wish all competing teams the best of luck and look forward to seeing a new name etched onto the trophy alongside the previous winners who have gone on to become America's Cup Sailors, Olympians & World Champions.'' Grant said this week
The regatta commences with official proceedings on Monday 4th December, with four days of Match Racing on the RPAYC’s fleet of Elliott 7 yachts from Tuesday 5th to Friday 8th December.
Visit the website to view the full line up of teams and umpires: www.intyouthmatchracingchampionship.com.au
Follow the regatta on social media:
The HARKEN International Youth Match RacinCompetitor & Officials List
Skipper List
- Daniel Kemp (AUS), Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
- Ben Tylecote (GBR), Rutland Sailing Club
- Hugo Butterworth (AUS), Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
- Jack Frewin (NZL), Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
- Mia Lovelady (AUS), Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club
- Nicolas Bernal (BRA), Yacht Club Santo Amaro
- Richard Rychlik (CAN), Oakville Yacht Squadron
- Tom Higgins (IRE), Royal Saint George Yacht Club
- Zac West (GBR), Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron
Race Officials
- Ted Anderson (AUS), Principal Race Officer
Umpires
- Richard Slater (AUS), Chief Umpire
- Ryan Parkin (NZL), Umpire
- Kotan Imazu (JPN), Umpire
- Phillipe Mazzard (FRA), Umpire
- Robyn Tames (AUS), Umpire
- Simon Barrington (AUS), Umpire
- Jen Richardson (AUS), Umpire
Katie Maxim (USA), Umpireg Championship, a Grade 3 Youth Match Racing event, will be held from Monday 4th to Friday 8th December 2023. Consisting of four days of match racing, youth teams under age 23 will compete for the Rockin’ Robin Perpetual Trophy, racing on the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s Elliott 7 performance keelboats with a crew of four or five.
The Rockin’ Robin Perpetual Trophy.
Established in 1992, the HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship has grown into a world-renowned international youth event. The event has proven to be a fine training ground for outstanding young sailors who have gone on to sail in the America’s Cup, World Match Racing Tour, Volvo Ocean Race, World Championships and Olympics. It goes without saying the climate, the pristine waterways, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s vision to be at the forefront of Youth Development and the match racing discipline, attracts many of the most talented youth crews from around the world. The event’s popularity is reflected in the demand for places in the team line-ups and in the ever-broadening geographic spread of competing nations.