RPAYC's Juliet Costanzo, Clare Costanzo, Evelyn Foster, Jemma Hodgson and Sarah Parker. Photo by: CYCA | Darcie Collington
RPAYC teams skippered by Juliet Costanzo and Isabella Holdsworth, delivered impressive performances across the weekend of October 11-13 at the John Messenger Women's Match Racing Championship.
Juliet and her crew, sister Clare Costanzo, Evelyn Foster, Jemma Hodgson and Sarah Parker, took out first place after a hard-fought final, that saw them come back from 2 races down to claim the overall victory from Jade Gavin (RSYS).
Juliet and crew are now shifting focus towards Bermuda and the Women's World Match Racing Tour at the end of October.
Youth Development sailor, Isabella Holdsworth led her crew of Bayley Taylor, Heidi Bates, Sophie Aitkin and Annabelle Sampson into 4th place after displaying strong, consistent sailing in her first major competition as Skipper.
The details are:
Day One - October 11,2024
It was a slow start for the 2024 John Messenger Women’s Match Racing Regatta, which also incorporates the 2024 Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship on Day One, October 11, with nine flights completed in light to moderate easterly winds on Sydney Harbour.
Tomorrow will see a complete change in conditions as the sunny and light wind conditions make way for rain and a stiff 20 – 25 knot southerly change overnight.
After a two-hour delay on the water, waiting for the breeze to fill, the eight teams representing Australia and New Zealand finally got the competition underway. With a heavy regatta format of a triple round robin and knockout stages, it will be a gamble now to see if the Race Committee can complete the schedule.
At the end of the day it is previous Women’s National Champion Juliet Costanzo from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club that leads the way. Costanzo had a relatively unscathed day, losing only one of her matches, although her years of experience were brought upon in several races as she had to claw her way back into contention.
Only one point behind in New Zealand Ella Arnold. Arnold headed into the competition as a real unknown being an unranked sailor on the women’s world rankings. Todays light and fickle conditions played beautifully into her hands though as she dug her way out of some tough conditions to lie in second position.
Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron’s Jade Gavin is a further point behind on six points to hold down third position.
Conditions will be marginal for racing tomorrow, however the Race Committee is hopeful to get on the water in the morning, before the afternoon peak of 25 knots.
Day Two - Costanzo in control heading into semi-finals of John Messenger Regatta - October 12, 2024
Juliet Costanzo from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club leads the way at the John Messenger Women’s Match Racing Regatta, sitting clear at the top of the leaderboard as competitors took on the Sydney southerly winds peaking at 27 knots.
After yesterdays light and fickle winds, today’s strong consistent southerly, which averaged around 20 knots saw Costanzo finish the double round robin with 12 wins and 2 losses. Jade Gavin from the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron jumped a place from yesterday after a strong performance today to finish in second position on 11 wins and 3 losses.
New Zealand’s hopes of claiming the title now lies solely with Ella Arnold. The young kiwi impressed everyone yesterday after keeping up with Costanzo on 6 -1 after the first round robin. However the stronger winds today so some uncharacteristic boat handling incidences cost them some points on the board. The team eventually closed out the qualifying round robin stage with 10 wins and 4 losses to take third place as the regatta heads into the knockout stages.
The final spot for the semi-finals remained up for grabs right up till the final race of the round robin. CYCA’s Chelsea Williams had a much better day on the water but ultimately yesterdays performance against RPAYC’s Isabella Holdsworth saw the Pittwater team claim the final semi-final spot by the virtue of a tiebreak, with both teams finishing the round robin with seven wins a piece.
Tomorrow looks set for a intense semi-final and finals series with Sydney delivering a strong north-easterly by the afternoon.
Day Three - Finals Day - October 13, 2024
In near perfect conditions on Sydney Harbour, the two finalists for this year’s John Messenger Women’s Match Racing Regatta, incorporating the Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship put on an amazing display of boat handling and match racing which saw the first to three Finals take all five races to determine a winner.
From the onset, Juliet Costanzo, Clare Costanzo, Evelyn Foster, Jemma Hodgson & Sarah Parker were pre-regatta favourites, having all claimed an Australian Women’s and John Messenger Regatta titles in the past. The team which represents the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club have led since Day 1 on Friday, however in the Finals, a newcomer to helming, Jade Gavin from the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron stamped her intentions for producing an upset.
She took the first two races from Costanzo in a dominant display of boat speed and tactics. The writing looked almost set on the wall for a huge upset, but the experience and tenacity from Costanzo and team saw them not only claw back to 2 – 2 , but ultimately claim both titles in a thrilling 3 – 2 Finals series.
With a morning delay as the nor-easter settled in, the breeze built from 6 to 16 knots by the end of the day. A jam-packed Sydney Harbour saw official boats having to round up the Etchells fleet from the top mark.
In the semi-finals both pairs only took two races to determine the finalists with Juliet Costanzo getting the better of fellow Club Member Isabella Holdsworth 2 – 0, whilst Jade Gavin beat New Zealander Ella Arnold who looked strong all week.
As the Finals took place, the petit-final also saw an intense battle, with Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron’s Ella Arnold overcoming Holdsworth 2 – 0.
At the prize giving Margot Connors presented the John Messenger Trophy to the winners, while Niall Powers presented the Australian Women’s Match Racing Perpetual trophy to the winners.
For Costanzo the win this weekend is a massive confidence booster before she and her team head to Bermuda for the Women’s World Match Racing Tour at the end of the month. You can follow the team on Instagram @rpaycwomensmatch
RPAYC youth development team Skippered by Isabella Holdsworth with crew Bayley Taylor, Heidi Bates, Sophie Aitkin and Annabelle Sampson also achieved an impressive result, earning themselves a 4th place finish.
RPAYC youth development team Skippered by Isabella Holdsworth with crew Bayley Taylor, Heidi Bates, Sophie Aitkin and Annabelle Sampson
About The John Messenger Women’s Match Racing Regatta
The John Messenger Women’s Match Racing Regatta has been conducted annually since 1996 and is open to female teams of 4 or 5 sailors. This year the regatta was a World Sailing Grade 3 event. The regatta also incorporated the 2024 Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship.
The event is supported by CYCA Member Margot Connors with up to 10 teams invited to compete.
In 2018, the trophy was rededicated as the John Messenger Trophy after John sadly passed away in September 2017. John was a proud CYCA Member and was dedicated to the sport of sailing and to this Club – championing both the CYCA’s Youth and Women’s programs.
John was born at Orange in 1943. However, John's family owned a boat shed which became part of the CYCA, as such he had been a part of the club his entire life.
Having occupied many of the CYCA's roles, including a period as interim CEO, he knew the club and its history inside out, using his influence to introduce many current members to the club and the sport of sailing.
Amongst John's greatest achievements at the CYCA was the creation of floating Marina. It was his vision and determination which brought it to fruition the benchmark marina in the country, and it is testament to his work that it remains so today.
Similarly, the role of Marinassess, John's own company, in being the major sponsor of women's youth sailing at the CYCA saw him ahead of his time as he took a leading role in supporting the development of young female sailors.
A keen ocean racer and gifted helmsman, John sailed on some of the club's best boats over the years and is also fondly remembered for the role he frequently undertook, as a commentator on the Sydney Hobart start boat.
Close friends say it was his ultimate want and desire to see the club succeed, while also ensuring the best for sailing. We are forever grateful for his hard work, his positive attitude, and will continue to work in support of his aims.
Reports by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and Photos by: CYCA | Darcie Collington
