Glory for Fong
New Zealand’s Zach Fong has won the 2025 Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship, having gone head-to-head with his brother Ethan for victory.
25 November 2025
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The finals of the 2025 Harken International Youth Match Racing Championship, held 19 to 23 November at RPAYC, have seen Zach Fong from New Zealand crowned the winner, despite a delayed start as race officials waited for “any” breeze to develop.
The final also showcased a compelling sibling rivalry, with Zach and Ethan Fong pushing each other to the limit in a battle defined by skill and strategy.
A gentle, variable north-easterly promised a tricky day of light, shifting conditions as the event moved into the semi-finals, with Race Officer Ted Anderson summing it up with the words: “It’s going to be a Dustbowl.”
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Heading into the semi-finals, the leaderboard was tightly packed, although New Zealand sailors dominated the top four positions following a gruelling Round Robin 2. Samuel Scott led with a 14–4 record, followed by Robbie Wooldridge on 13–5, and Zach Fong in third on 11–7, keeping the pressure high as the fleet prepared for the knockout stages.
In the semi-finals, Samuel Scott drew boat number 1 and selected Zach Fong as his opponent. Zach responded with a dominant performance, winning the series 2–0 despite being forced onto the unfavoured side at the gate in one race.
On the other side of the draw, Ethan Fong advanced to the final after a challenging semi-final against Robbie Wooldridge. Wooldridge led early in the deciding race, but Ethan regained ground downwind and secured victory with a decisive final lap.
The Petit Final for third place featured Robbie Wooldridge against Samuel Scott. Scott took control early, capitalising on Wooldridge’s mistakes and remaining in the favoured wind to win both matches, securing third overall.
The championship final was contested under light, variable winds of less than 10 knots. From the outset, Zach and Ethan Fong remained closely matched, exchanging tacks and navigating the shifting conditions.
Ethan led in the early stages of both matches, but Zach stayed within striking distance. The decisive move came on the penultimate gybe of the second match, when Zach overtook his brother and held the lead through the final leg to complete a 3–0 victory.
With the win, Zach Fong was crowned the 2025 Harken Youth Match Racing Champion, while Ethan Fong finished as runner-up. Samuel Scott secured third place over Robbie Wooldridge in the Petit Final. The regatta concluded at RPAYC with presentations and celebrations, capping a week of world-class youth match racing.
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