NZ Youth Match Racing Champs News

Who is the line up at this year's Youth Match Racing nationals?

The teams have gathered in Wellington for the start of the 2012 New Zealand Youth Match Racing Champiponship. This year there are eight teams entered however one team has been forced to withdraw so there will be seven teams that make it to the start line.

Highest ranked amongst the contenders for the title is Chris Steele's team from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. Chris currently has a world ranking of 117 and will be one to watch this week. Next highest ranked sailor is Adam Middleton from Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club who returns to the helm after being a crew members on the team that won the 2012 Governor's Cup.

Although yet to be ranked the teams lead by the two Sams ... McKenzie and Mackay also from Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club could be dark horses in this event as both come from strong fleet racing backgrounds and are making their debut in this form of racing at this event.

A team from the south isalnd has made the trip acorss the ditch with Daniel Philpott from Naval Point Yacht Club at the helm, while local sailor Basil Conor from the Wellignotn under 21 match racing squad also has a team entered in the event.

The rookie team this year is skiippered by William Novak from Worser Bay Boating Club featuring graduates from Wellington's introductory match racing programme. Although relatively new to the discipline these sailors have nothing to lose and if their form during the winter is anything to go by then they will surprise some of the more experienced teams in the fleet.