AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S MATCH RACING CHAMPION
Nicky (second from the left) and her Match Racing team have been at the top of their game for a number of years. Earlier this year, Team Musto took out both the Australian Women's Nationals and the New Zealand Nationals, as well the Harken International for the second time in a row.
Hailing from Pittwater, Nicky has earned an international reputation and competed this year at the Santa Maria Cup in the US and the Women's World Match Racing Championships in France. To have even been invited to compete at the Worlds is achievement enough! Only the top 10 ranked racers in the world are asked to compete.
In her spare time, Nicky can be found racing on the Wild Oats R/P 98 and the 'Little' Oats, the R/P 66. She also hones her skills on various Farr 40s and Sydney 38s.
NICKY'S LATEST UPDATE...
Team Wild Oats Chardonnay/Musto Jam-Packed Summer – April 2008
Team Wild Oats Chardonnay/Musto had a very busy summer completing a rigorous program of match racing events, culminating in the 2008 BSport ISAF Women’s World Match Racing Championship, held in just two weeks ago. After a string of solid results, including 3rd at the New Zealand Women’s Match Racing Nationals and a 2nd at both the Harken International and Marinassess regattas, expectations within the team were high. Morale was also high due to the team having a support crew of family and friends travelling with them, which is not a regular occurrence.
On the back of such solid results at the preceding regattas, a loss in the first flight of the round robin to Silke Hahlbrock was not in the game plan. Fortunately, the momentum soon changed and the team notched up wins against familiar cross-Tasman rivals Jess Smyth and Jan Dawson, and defending champion, Claire Leroy. A win against Olympic hopeful Silja Lehtinen sealed the girls’ position on top of the round robin.
However, after solid breezes throughout the round robin, day four provided light and shifty breezes. Team Wild Oats Chardonnay/Musto was paired against former match racing world champion Liz Baylis for the quarter finals. Liz and her team excelled in the lights airs, and after three days working to the top of the round robin table, it only took two races to tumble out of contention for the semi finals. It was a difficult blow, and the team struggled to regroup for the race against Katie Spithill. Following three losses, Team Wild Oats Chardonnay/Musto found themselves racing off for 7th and 8th position against Jess Smyth, always a strong competitor particularly on her home waters. The team rallied for a convincing win to take 7th place overall.
Despite the 7th being an improvement on last year’s result, it was hard to swallow considering how close the team had come. Congratulations must go to Claire Leroy and her team, their consistency over the regatta and the entire summer series was fantastic, and their second world championship well-deserved.
After wrapping up the down under sailing season, Team Wild Oats Chardonnay/Musto will take some time off over the winter. Nicky will continue her work at Riviera Sydney, , Kylie is undertaking her Honours in Science, Lilly is completing her first year of university, and Ray will start a graduate position at Gold Coast Tourism. The team will then regroup to compete at the Australian Women’s Match Racing Championships to be hosted by Fremantle Sailing Club in September.
