WALKER Leaves Best Till Last

Evan WALKER (AUS) went into the ISAF Grade 3 Parkland Mazda Australian Youth Match Racing Regatta as a clear favourite but found the going tough in the early round robins on the Swan River, ending up third in the placings.

In his final encounter with ladder leader Luc TASKER (AUS), WALKER allowed TASKER to take early control, seemingly content to be carried away from the line until 30 seconds before start time. A quick switch of direction caught TASKER napping and WALKER charged over the line with a clear two boat length lead, which he held until the final downwind leg.

A gybe set by WALKER seemed to catch TASKER unawares, forcing him to the wrong side of the course with spinnaker flogging inside the headsail. To his credit, TASKER worked his way back into the contest, establishing an overlap with 70 metres to go to the finish, both boats on the left side of the course and on starboard. TASKER‘s slick gybe for the line looked for a moment as though it might have given him the race, but WALKER‘s bow crossed just centimeters ahead, to end the closest race of the series and hand TASKER just his second defeat.

Another Windy Day

Conditions today were again brisk easterlies, in the range of 20 to 25 knots, but with flat water to race in, all crews handled the conditions well and racing was close.

WALKER has quietly established his authority in this regatta and after a disappointing start went through the third round robin undefeated.

TASKER finished the round robins with a one point lead and goes into tomorrow’s semi-finals and final against Tom SPITHILL, WALKER and Jamie WOODS (AUS).

Parkland Mazda Australian Youth Match Racing Championship Results

Round Robin Standings

1. Luc TASKER (AUS), 13-2
2. Tom SPITHILL (AUS), 12-3
3. Evan WALKER (AUS), 11-14
4. Jamie WOODS (AUS), 5-10
5. David CHAPMAN (AUS), 2-13
6. Chelsea HALL (AUS), 2-13