The final day of racing saw a light to moderate NE breeze on beautiful Pittwater for the Grand Finale of the inaugural Harken Open Championships.

Congratulations to the winners for 2020: Team 2for22 Racing (Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron) David Chapman, Ryan Wilmot, Harry Hall & Finn Alexander/Mick Hayward who took out the Finals 2-0 from Team Dargie’s Angels (Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club) Will Dargaville, Sarah Parker, Josh Dawson, Katherine Shannon & Zander Bijkerk.

Eleven teams representing CYCA, RSYS & RPAYC battled it out over three days of incredibly tough racing on the Club's fleet of Elliott 7's.

Race Officer Ted Anderson did a fantastic job with this new event and format which consisted of 21 fleet races and a full Semi & Finals Series in Match Racing to crown the overall winners.

Third place was a tough battle between the master and the apprentice with Alistair Read from Tag Team Racing eventually beating his coach Tom Spithill and Wendy Junior Racing 2-1. A credit to coach Tom Spithill being narrowly beaten by two teams that he has obviously done too good a job coaching over the years.

As with all events, the Harken Open Championship could not be made possible without the assistance of some two dozen volunteers and members who give their time effortlessly to the event in race management, mark laying and umpiring.

A special thanks to Harken, a leading manufacturer and marketer of quality sailboat hardware and accessories, which has continued to support the RPAYC for 23 years now.

Managing Director Grant Pellew commented: “As we couldn’t run the Harken International Youth Match Racing Championships this year I am pleased we were able to support this new event and was extremely impressed with the calibre of racing over the last three days. We hope the RPAYC finds space to fit it in the calendar next year as I think it was a unanimous yes from the teams on this exciting new format.”

1^st: Team 2for22 Racing (RSYS) David Chapman

2nd: Team Dargie’s Angels (RPAYC) Will Dargaville

3rd: Team Tag Team Racing (RPAYC) Alistair Read (1^st YOUTH)

4th: Team Wendy Junior Racing (RPAYC) Tom Spithill

5th: Team YTG (RPAYC) Clare Costanzo (1^st FEMALE)

Video with winners David Chapman & Team HERE

Full Results: https://www.rpayc.com.au/sailing/yacht-racing/regatta-and-championships