DAY 3, 4 & 5
2020 City of Perth Festival of Sail
Incorporating the
Warren Jones International Youth Regatta
Wednesday 29, Thursday 30 & Friday 31 January 2020
DAY 3
Wednesday, 29 January 2020
The second half of the 2020 Warren Jones International Youth Regatta flew by! The morning commenced bright and early along the banks of the Swan River along the Perth CBD and Elizabeth Quay where a Beach Clean Up was held in conjunction with Keep Australia Beautiful, River Guardians, Cleana Marina and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation & Attractions. Over forty people turned up to help keep our river clean including many competitors, volunteers, sponsors, members of the general public and volunteering members from both Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club & Royal Perth Yacht Club.
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
The afternoon saw the third racing session for the 18th Annual Warren Jones International Youth Regatta which was a continuation into the second round robin. Perth turned the weather on for the day! which allowed the onwater team to push through many races with a number of high intensity match ups! Harry Price continued to dominate the regatta – at the end of day three he was sitting on a 100% track record for the second round robin. Harry’s DownUnder Racing proved that it is adaptable and quick thinking in changing conditions.
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
Matt Whitfield from Great Britain improved brilliantly since the first round robin, winning six of his matches in the second. Our youngest competitor Jeffrey Petersen from the United States of America also stood out as a young gun to watch, having taken down some of the highest ranking competitors in round robin 2. It was obvious that these guys and many other first time Warren Jones competitors were learning and adapting to the Foundation 36s and the unique Perth Waters race course as their performance continued to improve in the second round robin.
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
The evening saw over 60 corporate sponsors, stakeholders and local businesses jump onto the Foundation 36s for their own racing session – there were teams from Okeland Communities, University of WA, Kitto & Kitto Barristers and Solicitors, Wesfarmers, Spices Group and BGC. For the second year in a row, University of WA came away with the top spot! BGC, with two entries in this year’s Corporate Cup, took home the coveted Best Dressed award, with all their guests in matching BGC uniforms! After popping some celebratory bubbles on the water, teams made their way back ashore for drinks and canapes at the Rooftop of the Lucky Shag Bar.
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
DAY 4
Thursday, 30 January 2020
Day 4 was off to a roaring start with over 50 women attending Women On Water – a fully non-profit leadership and networking morning. Women On Water has been running for three years with the aim of introducing more women to the sport of sailind and providing opportunities to those to do so who may not have had these before. The event promotes experiencing the sport in a friendly, non-threatening environment, alongside other like-minded women, to see the may benefits that sailing can offer; like mindfulness, leadership, communication, fitness etc.
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
Gina Pickering, whom has a successful professional career and is also a Board Member of Yachting Western Australia, started the morning with a brief address which included how sailing has assisted her in different parts of her life – including personal and professional. Guests were then split into teams, met their hosts for the morning and made their way onto the water to get a taste of the sport. After a brief onwater experience, guests returned ashore for networking and morning tea, again, kindly hosted by the Lucky Shag Bar.
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
The fourth racing session of the 2020 Warren Jones International Youth Regatta commenced from 12noon onwards, where the second round robin was to be completed. With only 7 flights to get through, the onwater team could settle into their seats as it was as good as confirmed that all races would be completed by the end of the day, with just the semis and finals to take place on the last day of racing.
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
The conditions were great for match racing with the Fremantle Doctor giving a helping hand in the afternoon. As the second round robin came to a close, Gala Luncheon Guest Speaker, Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico, AFL Legend and Media Personality, took a spot on the commentary team and a hot seat on the back of Harry Price’s yacht, giving him the perfect introduction to what the Warren Jones Regatta is all about!
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
By the end of the day, the top four finalists were decided with Harry Price & his DownUnder Racing Team from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (AUS) taking out the top position. Following in second was Nick Egnot-Johnson & his KNOTS Racing Team from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (NZL) and Tom Grimes & his Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Youth Sailing Academy Team (AUS) finishing up in third position. The last spot for the finals wasn’t a sure thing until the official list was provided by the Race Committee – on equal points was local Warren Jones veteran, Will Boulden & his Alpha Racing Team, representing host club, Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (AUS) and, fresh off his Colin Mullins Youth Regatta win, Aurelien Pierroz and his team representing Societe des Regates du Havre (FRA). In his second Warren Jones Regatta campaign, Pierroz was gaining experience on the Foundations and becoming more of a threat to take out the top award.
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
On a countback, local Will Boulden managed to scrape into the top 4 and sealed his spot in the finals for the 2020 Warren Jones Regatta. Ethan Prieto-Low, also representing host club, Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (AUS) and the youngest skipper, Jeffrey Petersen, representing Balboa Yacht Club (USA) at his first ever Warren Jones Regatta both finished just 1 point behind Boulden & Pierroz. The competition in 2020 was fierce and the results showed it, with the teams hungry for the win, the boats bore the brunt of the competition with a number of teams finishing their campaigns with tallying bills… including one incident where the Royal Perth Yacht Club Start Boat, ORPYC, retired hurt with a nice, foundation 36 shaped hole in the middle, courtesy of the team from Great Britain!
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
DAY 5
Friday, 31 January 2020
FINALS DAY! It started at host club Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club where the teams recieved a more intimate morning briefing from Regatta Chairman, Andy Fethers. The skippers then hung around to socialise with the arriving Gala Luncheon guests before the 2020 Warren Jones Gala Luncheon kicked off at 12:30pm inside the beautifully set Roland Smith Ballroom. After an opening address from MC, Johnson Kitto, and a welcome from Ron Packer, chairman of the Warren Jones Foundation. Andy took to the mic where he spoke about the week the so far and a highlights reel was played. courtesy of Drew Malcolm Photography and a number of media assistants.
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
The four skippers were brought up front to say a few words, and, also, Harry Price, sitting in the top position, to choose his opponent. Price selected his stable mate, Tom Grimes as his opponent in the semi finals, ensuring that there will be a Cruising Yacht Club of Australia team in the final. That then left Nick Egnot-Johnson & Will Boulden as the other match up for the semis which would kick off at 3:00pm Western Standard Time.
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
Whilst the competitors and onwater team prepared for the final racing session, over 180 guests enjoyed a delicious three-course meal and bottomless drinks courtesy of Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, Leeuwin Estate and Gage Roads Brewing Company. Robert ‘Dipper’ DiPierdomenico entertained guests over lunch with a roar of laughter to be heard from the Roland Smith Ballroom for the duration of his address – Dipper was given rave reviews and hailed as ‘the best ever’ by many luncheon guests. Guests then made their way onto the water to enjoy some extended hospitality whilst viewing the finals of the 2020 Warren Jones Regatta.
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
The semi finals was a strong, 1 for 1 battle for both matches. Harry Price took the win over fellow Cruising Yacht Club of Australia teammate, Tom Grimes, whilst Nick Egnot-Johnson managed to steal the second spot in the final from Will Boulden. An intense, high energy battle was showcased in the final in front of several hundred spectators in the stadium venue that Perth Waters provides. Harry Price continued his dominance, taking the final 3-0 over Nick Egnot-Johnson and secured his second Warren Jones title!
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
Harry Price won the Warren Jones Regatta back in 2018. In 2019, he returned to Perth to defend his title, but finished in third behind Jelmer van Beek, Team Dutch Wave, from the Netherlands and Will Boulden, Alpha Racing Team, Western Australia. In 2020, Price showed up early, put some time in on the Foundations and executed a skillful, strong and consistent campaign which left him dominating for the majority of the regatta. With an entirely different crew than when he won two years prior, Harry claimed the title as Warren Jones Regatta Champion one last time as he ages out in the next 12 months ahead of future Warren Jones Regattas.
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
FIRST PLACE
2020 WARREN JONES CHAMPIONS
Harry Price – DownUnder Racing
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, AUS
(left to right) Harry Hall, Harry Price (skipper), Taylor Balogh, Josh Wijohn & Niall Morrow
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
SECOND PLACE
Nick Egnot-Johnson – KNOTS Racing
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, NZL
(left to right) Nick Egnot-Johnson (skipper), Zak Merton, Bradley McLaughlin, Sam Barnett & Tim Snedden
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
THIRD PLACE
Tom Grimes – CYCA Youth Sailing Academy
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, AUS
(left to right) Charlie Gundy, Louis Schofield, Ryan Wilmot, Tom Grimes (skipper) & James Hodgson
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
View the final overall standings HERE
See Day 3 Photo Album HERE
See Day 4 Photo Album HERE
(Credit: Drew Malcolm Photography)
Follow the Event on Facebook and Instagram using @WarrenJonesRegatta & #WarrenJones2020
