Sydney v Perth in Aust Match Racing Championships
'Evan Walker (Hardy Cup 2008)'
Aline Van Haren ©
Perth sailors take on Sydneysiders in the Barbagallo Marine Australian Match Racing Championships, being hosted by the Royal Perth Yacht Club from 3rd to 7th September, on the Swan River.
With all the other states and territories declining to send entries, up to three New South Wales team will take on the Western Australians on their home waters for the national title.
Top ranked skipper in the series is Evan Walker from Sydney's Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, standing at 43rd in the world, and no stranger to the Swan River, having contested the Warren Jones Youth Regatta several times.
With Western Australia's two premier match racers, Torvar Mirsky and Keith Swinton, overseas on the international circuit, the top ranked home sailor is the host club's Robert Gibbs, at 86th on the world ladder.
However some of the young guns will have learnt not treat veteran skipper Gordon Lucas lightly, having just seen him win the W.A. State Championships, a case of 'age and guile beating youth and enthusiasm - again'!
Lucas, who was an America's Cup skipper back in the days of 12 Metres, has in the past won a number of major international match racing events, and the national title on more than one occasion, seems to have lost little of his touch.
The other confirmed entry from New South Wales, is David Chapman from the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, currently ranked 193rd in the world.
The one position in the starting line-up not yet known is the winner of the Women's Australian Match Racing Championships still being sailed off Fremantle.
Putting in very strong performances are two Sydney skipper, Katie Spithill and Nicky Souter, and whichever makes it through will be a formidable contender for the open national title.
Katie Spithill is the sister of America's Cup legend James Spithill, and 6th on the women's world rankings, while Nicky Souter is ranked 10th on the women's ladder.
Racing starts at 10:15am on Thursday 4th September, and finishes Sunday 7th, with the series comprising a double round robin, semi-finals and finals.
The event will the sailed in the Western Australian Yachting Foundation's fleet of Foundation 36 yachts.
COMPETITORS:
Name Ranking Club/State
Robert Gibbs 86 RPYC/WA
Evan Walker 43 CYCA/NSW
David Chapman 193 RSYS/NSW
Peter Nicholas 802 RFBYC/WA
Gordon Lucas unranked RPYC/WA
Tristan Brown unranked RFBYC/WA
Doug Cooksey 564 SoPYC/WA
Winner WAMRC
by John Roberson 
Southport, QLD
