8:26 AM Wed 5 Aug 2009 GMT
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'Jay Griffin (CYCA) crosses the finish line only 1 metre ahead of Jordan Reece (RSYS) - Club Marine NSW Youth Match Racing Championship'
David Brogan
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In the deciding race of the Club Marine NSW Youth Match Racing Championship, Jay Griffin and his crew of Will Parker, Keiran Searle and Jack Hubbard chased Jordan Reece and his Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron crew around the course and finally overtook them on the last downwind leg, winning by a few metres to take out the Championship.
The second day of the Championship was a mirror image of the first with sunny skies and 10-15 knot westerlies. The sailors, gathered for briefing on the deck, were keen to get out on the water and with the top four sailors within a few points of each other at the end of round one; it could be anyone's title.
Griffin started the day the way he intended to finish, with a strong win over fellow YSA sailor, Will Mackenzie who had finished day one on top of the leaderboard. He then went on to defeat the young developing YSA skipper, Oliver Hartas. In flight three, Griffin made up for yesterday afternoon's upset with a commanding win over Reece. Griffin extended his lead at every mark taking the win by 39 seconds. In the last flight of the round robins, Griffin defeated Amy Lee in the most dominant race of the day.
At the end of these rounds the top four were decided, Reece finishing in first place, Griffin in second, Mackenzie third and Lee fourth, all within one point of each other. All the skippers were gathered by PRO David Tallis on the Gordon Marshall to decide the draw for the semi final round. Reece selected Lee, meaning that Griffin would sail against Mackenzie. The first skippers to win two matches will then sail off for the 2009 Championship.
Both Reece and Griffin made short work of their opposition and proceeded into the finals with Mackenzie and Lee left to do battle for the minor placings. While Mackenzie defeated Lee in both races to confirm third place in the Championship, Griffin and Reece kept the Race Committee and Umpires working to the end.
Griffin led from the start of the first race, opening up a 1-0 lead and placing one hand on the trophy. In the second race, Griffin was penalised for an early entry and would have to sail a near perfect race in the hope of gaining distance over the course to complete the penalty before the finish. This incident obviously unnerved Griffin, who sailed to the wrong mark; effectively sailing out of this race and throwing the Championship wide open with a score of one race each.
Reece made the most of both boats starting OCS in the final race, ducking back under the line while Griffin was forced to sail back around the start boat. Reece took a two-boat length lead on the first run upwind but Griffin shadowed him down to the bottom mark when Griffin got close enough on the rounding to make this a neck and neck race. In a fierce tacking duel, Griffin was able to open up a single boat length lead at the top mark and finish just metres ahead of Reece.
This win gains Griffin a place in the Australian Youth Match Racing Championship to be hosted by Sandringham Yacht Club in their fleet of Beneteau 7.5s in mid September.
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Celebrations for the winning team representing the CYCA of Jay Griffin, Will Parker, Keiran Searle and Jack Hubbard - Club Marine NSW Youth Match Racing Championship - David Brogan
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Final Placings:
1st Jay Griffin (CYCA)
2nd Jordan Reece (RSYS)
3rd Will Mackenzie (CYCA)
4th Amy Lee (RSYS)
5th Oliver Hartas (CYCA)
6th Reece Tailby (RPAYC)
7th Jaidan Stevens (RSYS)
8th Josie Roper (CYCA)
9th Michael McCormick (RPAYC)
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Close racing in the finals of the Club Marine NSW Youth Match Racing Championship - Club Marine NSW Youth Match Racing Championship - David Brogan
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Jordan Reece RSYS (Boat 5) and Jay Griffin, CYCA (Boat 4- Club Marine) in the finals race - Club Marine NSW Youth Match Racing Championship - David Brogan
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by Pam Scrivenor
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