UTS's Jay Griffin wins University Match Racing Championship 2011

8:33 AM Sat 24 Sep 2011 GMT

'Griffin high fives his crew after his victory - pic by Tom Spithill - 2011 RPAYC University Match Racing Championship' Tom Spithill Click Here to view large photo

The team from University of Technology Sydney skippered by Jay Griffin along with crew Jackson Cransfield, Kathleen Stroinovsky, Katie Webb, Scott Cotton and reserve Carla Seton have been crowned the inaugural University Match Racing Champions for 2011 hosted by The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.

A light drizzle of rain under grey skies and a five-seven knot Southerly was the weather recipe for day two, held on a course just off Towlers Bay on Pittwater. It was enough to saturate the competitors and umpires who endured another long day on the race track.

With two more flights to complete the second of the two round robins today, it was Jay Griffin who emerged on top of the leader board with a 9/10 scorecard. With the fifth and sixth placed competitors facing an elimination sail off, the top four competitors rallied themselves for the semi finals for a place in the final. Top placed Griffin had the advantage to select his semi final counterpart choosing Uni NSW's Tara McCall whilst in the other semi final it was Sydney Unis Ted Hackney who finished second after the round robin stage up against Uni NSW's Andrea Green.

In the sail off for fifth and sixth it was Uni NSW's Chris Eddes who took the honours 2-0 from Sydney Unis Josephine Roper taking home the wooden spoon.

Griffin defeated Macall 2-0 in the best of three semi final whilst Hackney defeated Green 2-0 also. In the petit final, it was Green who ultimately finished in third beating Macall 2-0.

Tara Macall finished third in the Inaugural Event - 2011 RPAYC University Match Racing Championship - Nicole Scott Click Here to view large photo

So it was left to pre -tournament favourite Griffin who has an ISAF ranking of 66 to match race Hackney who had beaten him in the first Round Robin yesterday.

The racing in the best of five final was extremely close with Hackney gaining the early ascendency in the first race, after Griffin lost a rudder pin on the final leg when leading well but with a penalty still to execute. It was Hackney who came over the top mowing his opponent down as Griffin and his crew tried in vain to make repairs to the rudder on the run and execute the penalty.

Griffin fought back to win the second and third race to take a 2-1 lead. In what turned out to be the final thrilling race, it Hackney who came out fighting and determined to stay in the competition. There were numerous lead changes on the first downwind and a big dial down on the last upwind and it was Hackney who led around the top mark for the downwind run home. With Griffin making up precious ground as the finish line loomed, Griffin executed a better gybe to roll Hackney and pipped him at the post to take victory.

Griffin emerged the winner 3-1 to take the University match racing crown.

Griffin finished with 9 wins from 10 races after the round robin stage - 2011 RPAYC University Match Racing Championship - Nicole Scott

A clearly elated Griffin spoke dockside about the win, 'Absolutely, it was great to get this win particularly in the shifty conditions we experienced today. The crew performed really well together and with an extra person we had good strength in the team and it allowed us to move the crew around in different positions. This is probably the last Grade 3 ISAF event left in Sydney so it's a good regatta to win. This University Match Racing Championship has had an awesome start and it can only get bigger and better from here.'

Griffin added, 'I just want to thank the Race Committee and umpires who did an awesome job, RO Jenny Bonnitcha actually got me into match racing through the CYC Youth Academy and taught me a lot. I also would like to thank Katrina Webb who organised the team and to Ajay Rau who has worked really hard to make the event happen.'

The event attracted six teams from some of Sydney's top universities with sailors from UTS, Sydney Uni and Uni NSW competing in the event. The ISAF Grade 3 RPAYC Match Racing championship, a sanctioned Australian University sport event utilised the RPAYC's fleet of Force 24 keelboats with a crew of five.

Final Round Robin Results:
1. Jay Griffin, UTS, 9 wins / 10 races
2. Andrea Green, Uni NSW, 7 wins / 10 races
3. Ted Hackney, Syd Uni, 7 wins / 10 races
4. Tara McCall, Uni NSW,4 wins / 10 races
5. Chris Eddes, Uni NSW, 2 wins / 10 races
6. Josephine Roper, Syd Uni, 1 wins / 10 races

Final positions:
1. Jay Griffin, UTS
2. Ted Hackney, Syd Uni
3. Andrea Green, Uni NSW
4. Tara McCall, Uni NSW
5. Chris Eddes, Uni NSW
6. Josephine Roper, Syd Uni