New Zealand Womens crew already through to the Semi's in Aussie Nats

11:55 AM Tue 1 Sep 2009 GMT

'Nicky Souter (RPAYC-ASDS) vs Stephanie Hazard, representing RNZYS during flight five of Day Two - compasscard Australian Women's Match Racing Championship' CYCA Staff

Two New Zealand Womens teams are competing at the Australian Women's Match Racing Nationals: Stephanie Hazard - Helm, Susannah Pyatt - Main, Miranda Powrie - Bow; and Samantha Osborne - Helm, Jenna Hansen - Main, Raynor Smeal - Bow in the second crew.

They filed the following reports on the first two day's racing:

Aussie Nationals Race Day 2

Today we had very variable winds ranging form 3-10knots as the gradient fought the sea breeze. The first four races had 90 degree wind shift making it very tricky to defend big leads, also creating good opportunity's to come back from behind. The final two races were in the much steadier sea breeze.

It was a solid day for both teams. Sam, Jenna and Ray won 4-2. Steph, Susannah and Miranda won 5-1.

Sam, Jenna and Ray continued to race well consolidating yesterday's performance and putting training into racing.
The highlight of the day was the pre-start against Nicki Souter, where both teams attacked and defended hard - the 5 minutes was full of banta, y flags, penalties, luffs, dial ups...... it was 4 months training in one pre-start. Unfortunately the girls lost the race however lessons were learnt and won't be repeated.

Stephanie Hazard and her crew of Susannah Pyatt and Miranda Powrie in action on Day Two - compasscard Australian Women's Match Racing Championship - CYCA Staff

Steph, Susannah and Miranda took a lot from the hard day yesterday (which we feel is largely due to the lack of time sailing together and in our positions) and transferred it into some good racing today. The highlight of the day was the win against Katie Spithill's team, where they came back from a bad start to get two penalties on the other team in a dramatic hard fought final leg to the finish. The team is pleased with the improvements from yesterday, and looking to consolidate on it tomorrow.

Tomorrow we have two more round robin races then into Finals. Sam Jenna and Ray will be though to Semis regardless of results.

Aussie Nationals Race Day 1

Today we completed the first round robin and started the second, a whopping 10 races were sailed. There was variable winds ranging from 8-18Knots from the NW. The conditions were really difficult to say the least, puffs and shifts were just all over the show.

Samantha Osborne's team had a great start to the regatta winning eight races and losing two.

The highlight of the day was securing a win over Aussie rival Katie Spithill. The team is looking to consolidate and repeat the performance tomorrow.

Stephanie Hazard's team had disappointing results, but had good moments. It was a bit of a reality check for the team that has been together for only 3 weeks. They finished the day on three wins. Tomorrow the team is looking to eliminate errors and refine the basics.

The squad is benefiting from sailing against the Australian Olympic Squad which has just completed a 2 month campaign including winning the Kieler Woche and the ISAF Women Match Racing World Championships. We are pleased with our performance against the Aussies and look forward to lining up against these girls again over the next few days.

We would like to thank the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Yachting New Zealand for their support.
Thanks Zhik for the team bibs..... they look sweet as!

by Susannah Pyatt