Black Sheep Racing have cemented their dominance on the national match racing stage, securing their second consecutive New Zealand Match Racing Championship title after three intense days of competition hosted at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
Black Sheep Racing. 2025 New Zealand Open Match Racing Championship. Photo: Suellen Hurling / Live Sail Die
Across two round robins, semifinals, and a finals showdown, the team of Reuben Corbett, Guy Pilkington, George Angus, and Oliver Lloyd remained composed and consistent. They went undefeated through the opening stages, setting up a highly anticipated final against True Blue Racing, helmed by match racing legend Gavin Brady, with crew Rye Brady, Megan Thomson, Phoebe Buckland, and Florence Sharpe.
True Blue Racing. 2025 New Zealand Open Match Racing Championship. Photo: Suellen Hurling / Live Sail Die
The regatta delivered a full mix of conditions – breeze and rain through the first two days, followed by a long onshore wait on the final morning. When racing finally began, the harbour delivered perfect match racing conditions to close out the event.
2025 New Zealand Open Match Racing Championship. Photo: Suellen Hurling / Live Sail Die
In the finals, Black Sheep Racing maintained their clinical form, taking the series 2–0 over True Blue Racing. A heart-warming subplot unfolded on board the runner-up boat, with Brady sailing alongside his daughter Rye on mainsheet. The pair were all smiles despite falling short in the deciding match.
The petite final delivered another tight battle between RNZYS Performance Programme sailors Ethan Fong and Robbie Wooldridge. Fong and his Quest Racing crew – Hugo McMullen/Henry Angus, Maddie Rist, Harry McMullen, and Lucas Day, took the series 2–0, securing a well-earned third place.
Quest Racing. 2025 New Zealand Open Match Racing Championship. Photo: Suellen Hurling / Live Sail Die
With the national title decided, attention now shifts to the upcoming events on the RNZYS match racing calendar. Next up is the New Zealand Women’s Match Racing Championship on the 21st-22nd February, followed by the Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup, running from 25 February to 1 March.
| Place | Team | Crew |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Black Sheep Racing | Reuben Corbett, Guy Pilkington, George Angus, Oliver Lloyd |
| 2nd | True Blue Racing | Gavin Brady, Rye Brady, Megan Thomson, Phoebe Buckland, Florence Sharpe |
| 3rd | Quest Racing | Ethan Fong, Hugo McMullen/Henry Angus, Maddie Rist, Harry McMullen, Lucas Day |
| 4th | Mastercard YTP | Robbie Wooldridge, Dominic Lilley, Oliver Davidson, Josh Hilder, Lewis Snape |
| 5th | VMG Racing | Noah Malpot, Will Mason, Luca Smith, Tayne Haag, Sophia Morgan |
| 6th | Jam Hot Racing | Charley Cates, Hugo McMullen/Henry Angus, Maddie Rist, Harry McMullen, Lucas Day |
| 7th | Gage Road | Xavier Bates, Vass Katsaieis, Will Mcaully, George Elms |
| 8th | Hauraki Racing | Leo Jeffery, Apikera Baker, Georgia Howlett, James West, Robyn Ashton |
