2019 David Lukins MR Regatta - This Weekend

The 2019 David Lukins Match Racing Regatta gets underway this weekend, run out of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.

The regatta is run in memory of the late David Lukins, who was a tireless volunteer and well respected member at the Alfred’s during his long association with the club.

An exciting forecast is on the cards for tomorrow with 20 knots from the North East predicted for the entire day, which should see some fast paced match racing in the clubs fleet of Elliott 7 keelboats.

Coming in as top seed in the world sailing open match race rankings at 165 is Youth Development squad member Juliet Costanzo. Juliet also comes in as 20th in the world for the women’s match racing ranking. An impressive feat considering Juliet is still eligible for youth events. “Wow no pressure” joked Costanzo, when notified she is the top ranked competitor. “We spend more time than anyone else in these boats through our training in the Youth Development Program, so we are hoping our boat handling gives us an edge against our opponents” commented a determined Costanzo. Juliet’s older sister Clare has been runner up the last two years, so I’m sure Juliet wants to go one better to have bragging rights at Christmas.

Pat Langley comes in with recent form, having qualified for the David Lukins through his recent win in the Dustbuster series.

Murray Gordon is also dusting off his sailing cardigan as he re-joins the competition this year. Murray is a 3 time winner of this event. Twice as skipper and once as crew. On-board with Gordon is David’s son Shane Lukins, who has also previously won the event as crew.

This event is arguably becoming one of the most competitive club events and sought after trophy to win with some big names on the winners list.

Silver medallist Nina Curtis and Jason Waterhouse have both had their names etched on this magnificent trophy. Former Youth Match Racing Worlds Champion Will Dargaville also joins the list of winners.

For the past 3 years Club Coach Tom Spithill has had a stronghold on the trophy, earning straight wins on the trot.

However with Spithill out with injury, and a diverse range of competitors coming from varying sailing backgrounds, this year’s spoils could go to either of the 9 teams competing.

There certainly won’t be any easy matches, particularly with the line-up of skippers listed below.

Please come out and watch the spectacular racing on the beautiful waters of Pittwater.

Last year’s 2018 semi-finalist (From Left to right) Clare Costanzo, Nick “Tangles” Garland, Pat Langley and Tom Spithill