The wait is up: Price returns to Youth Match Racing Worlds a winner
During the double round-robin stage of the Youth Match Racing World Championships, Harry Price spoke briefly, but clearly, about his ambition to avenge a runner-up finish in the event last year.
On the brink of another disappointment, the young Australian was able to rally, crowning himself king after a hard-fought final series with Italy’s Ettore Botticini.
Price, the No. 6 skipper in the world across all ages, was competing against a field composed of 16- to 22-year-olds. He entered as the favorite, and he exuded confidence on Friday after reaching the semifinal stage.
“It’s not ever easy deciding who to pick,” said Price after his team went 20-2 to claim the first seed following the double round-robin. “We’re feeling confident after racing this week, so we just decided to choose someone that we have beaten twice.”
He chose to challenge Grenier Hobbs (Tampa, FL) on Saturday at the Balboa Yacht Club. The Australian crew of Price, Angus Williams, and Tara Blanc-Ramos advanced to the final after sweeping the semifinal, 3-0.
The final looked problematic, especially after Botticini took a 2-1 lead after the third flight. With his back against the wall, Price executed a surgical performance to tie the match, 2-2.
The pre-starts had been a strength for Botticini, but as the finalists battled for control in the fifth and final race, each boat arrived at the starting line early. They veered back to get below the starting line, but Botticini failed to clear the line completely before heading back up the course.
Botticini’s error spotted Price a five-boat-length advantage, one that he was able to maintain in securing the Youth Match Racing Worlds championship.
New Zealand’s George Anyon bested Hobbs, 2-1, in a consolation match that determined the third-place finisher.
The local team of Charlie Welsh, John Horton, and Robert Garrett from the Newport Harbor Yacht Club came into Friday’s action fifth out of the 12 teams from nine nations, but they just missed out on a spot in the semifinals.
Twitter: @ProfessorTurner
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