Near perfect conditions ushered in the start of the 2023 World Sailing Youth Match Racing World Championship on Sydney’s iconic harbour. USA’s Jeffrey Petersen leads the opening round undefeated with six straight wins and no losses.
As a light and shifty breeze built from 7-10knots from the east in sunny conditions, PRO Denis Thomson led to the east end of the Harbour with racing taking place in picturesque Double Bay, with Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and Opera House as a backdrop.
Completing seven flights of the opening round-robin stage, USA’s Jeffrey Petersen and his Balboa Yacht Club team of Justin Callahan, Enzo Menditto, Daniel Pegg and Marbella Marol were in strong form winning all six races for the day, as they look to defend their 2022 World Championship crown.
“Sydney Harbour is a beautiful venue and we’re thrilled to be back at the CYCA. It was an exciting day of racing and we improved each race. We had some really strong fights against us but we were fortunate to take the win in each and hopefully look for more the same this week.” commented Petersen following racing.
Following close behind is Australia’s Will Sargent from the CYCA, and France’s Timothee Rossi & Ange Delerce finished their opening day with 4 points, however the French sailed one more race than the Australian team. Sargent is no stranger to the Elliott 7 boats being used at the regatta as a member of the CYCA Youth Sailing Academy, hosting the World Championship this week.
Last night the event was officially opened by World Sailing Technical Delegate Liz Baylis at the Opening Ceremony, hosted in the outdoor Rolex Sydney Village at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA). Walangari Karntawarra, an Indigenous Australian group officially opened the event with a traditional Acknowledgement to Country and Smoking Ceremony, followed by song and dance with the inclusion of competitors and officials. This was followed by an introduction to the twelve skippers and welcome comments from CYCA Commodore Arthur Lane.
