Hot contest
The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron will host the prestigious youth match racing regatta, 8 to 11 February 2021.
Photography by Darcie Collington Photography
09 February 2021
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The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron will once again host the historic four-day Hardy Cup Match Racing Regatta on Kirribilli’s stunning foreshore. Official racing began Monday 8 February. The regatta will conclude on Thursday 11 February, with results and prize-giving to follow.
For the first time, the regatta will be open to sailors of all ages racing Elliott 7s sports boats, with seven youth racing teams competing for the Hardy Cup, while three open category teams will compete against youth sailors for the Hardy Shield.
Due to international border restrictions, overseas teams will not compete this year, leaving only Australia-based sailors to contend for the two famous trophies.
Sir James Hardy OBE, America’s Cup winner, Olympic yachtsman and patron of the annual event, founded the regatta for youth sailors to develop and refine their tactical racing skills. He will once again attend the event, supporting the sailors.
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Previous Hardy Cup champion skippers Ashlen Rooklyn and David Chapman will be amongst the competitors.
Chapman commented “I’m looking forward to being out on the water and match racing against the up-and-coming sailors.”
Jed Cruickshank and Maddie O’Shea will represent the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron in the youth division, with O’Shea skippering a talented all women’s team.
RSYS Club Captain and three-time Olympian Karyn Gojnich said “After a difficult 12 months due to COVID, we are thrilled to be able to host the Hardy Cup. While we will be without international competition, broadening our entry criteria provides a great opportunity for our young sailors to compete against some of Australia’s champions.
“We look forward to welcoming teams from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Vaucluse Amateur 12ft Sailing Club and Middle Harbour 16ft Skiff Club.”
A team of internationally and nationally accredited umpires led by Erica Kirby and Rob Armstrong will keep an eye on next week’s racing. Ian Kingsford Smith and Rob Ridley are the Race Officials.
History of the Hardy Cup
The Squadron hosted the inaugural Hardy Cup regatta in 1983 and over its 38-year history the event evolved into a World Sailing Grade 3 match racing regatta. The trophy was donated by Sir James Hardy OBE, who envisioned a regatta experience that could foster the critical and tactical sailing skills of young aspiring champions.
Results here
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