As the New Zealand Match Racing Championship heads into its final stages, Day 3 brought a flurry of intense action, tactical brilliance, and shifts in the leaderboard. After two days of competitive sailing that saw gusty winds, heavy rain, and shifting tides, the focus turned to the Super 16 Knockout, where the stakes were higher, the pressure greater, and the margins smaller.
The Super Sixteen round saw all skippers from the Round Robin stages facing off in best-of-three matchups, each drawn by the leaders themselves. With the top performers emerging from both Groups A and B, today’s results provided a clearer picture of who is in form and who might be able to challenge for the ultimate victory.
Super Sixteen Results: Dominance and Tight Contests
The Super Sixteen matchups delivered some impressive performances and a few surprising outcomes. While the stronger skippers lived up to expectations, a couple of races were tighter than expected, setting the stage for thrilling quarter-finals.
- Super Sixteen 1: Ethan Fong (NZL) vs. Rory Sims (IRE), 2-0
Ethan Fong, the young Kiwi talent, put on a commanding display, overcoming Rory Sims from Ireland in straight races. Fong’s tactics were sharp, ensuring his progression with minimal fuss. - Super Sixteen 2: Tom Picot (New Caledonia/France) vs. Hayden Smith (NZL), 2-1
In one of the day’s closest matchups, Hayden Smith was pushed to his limits by Tom Picot. The match went to a decisive third race, with Picot’s experience and strategic insight ultimately seeing him through. Smith showed great fight, but Picot’s cool-headedness made the difference in the final race. - Super Sixteen 3: Robbie McCutcheon (GBR) vs. Max Paul (AUS), 2-0
Robbie McCutcheon’s form remains a standout. The British skipper dominated his Australian counterpart, Max Paul, in both races, maintaining control of the match from start to finish. McCutcheon’s looks to be a major contender for the title. - Super Sixteen 4: Josh Hyde (NZL) vs. Jordan Stevenson (NZL), 2-1
The Kiwi rivalry between Josh Hyde and Jordan Stevenson was one of the most entertaining battles of the day. Hyde edged out Stevenson in a thrilling three-race series. While Stevenson showed flashes of brilliance, Hyde’s consistent boat handling in the final race secured his progression. - Super Sixteen 5: Cole Tapper (AUS) vs. George Pilkington (NZL), 2-0
Once again, Cole Tapper demonstrated why he is one of the fiercest competitors on the water. His 2-0 victory over George Pilkington was clinical, with Tapper’s tactical mastery and flawless execution putting him in an unassailable position throughout the match. - Super Sixteen 6: Reuben Corbett (NZL) vs. Samuel Scott (NZL), 2-0
Reuben Corbett continues to look like one of the most complete sailors in the regatta. The Kiwi veteran’s racecraft shone through as he dispatched Samuel Scott in straight races. Corbett’s strategic brilliance ensured that he advanced with relative ease. - Super Sixteen 7: Noah Malpot (NZL) vs. Sam Street (NZL), 2-0
Another Kiwi battle, but this time, it was Noah Malpot who came out on top. Malpot’s fast starts and aggressive tactics saw him get the better of Sam Street, advancing him to the quarter-finals with a solid 2-0 win. - Super Sixteen 8: Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL) vs. Braedyn Denney (NZL), 2-0
Nick Egnot-Johnson put on a strong performance, securing a straight 2-0 victory over Braedyn Denney. Egnot-Johnson’s composure under pressure helped him to advance into the next round, where he faced one of the tournament’s top contenders.
Shuffling of the Leaderboard: Who is on Top?
After the Day 3 Super Sixteen Match Races, the leaderboard had seen some changes, and while Cole Tapper and Reuben Corbett remained the frontrunners, the competition was tightening as the knockouts unfolded. Tapper’s continued perfect record positioned him firmly as the skippers’ leader heading into the quarter-finals. His 2-0 win over George Pilkington today further solidified his case as the one to beat.
However, at the end of the Super Sixteen, Reuben Corbett was looking increasingly dangerous. His dominant performance against Samuel Scott today gave him another 2-0 win, keeping him on track for a potential showdown with Tapper. Corbett’s ability to read the wind, make tactical adjustments, and handle pressure could very well be his ticket to a place in the finals.
Meanwhile, Robbie McCutcheon emerged as a formidable threat. His confident 2-0 victory over Max Paul today signals that McCutcheon could be the dark horse in this regatta. With a match against Noah Malpot in the quarter-finals, McCutcheon needed to stay sharp, but his consistency across the first few rounds makes him one to watch closely.
By the conclusion Super Sixteen match races, it was clear the quarter-finals were sure to be fierce, as Nick Egnot-Johnson and Josh Hyde also remained in the hunt. Both sailors showed their strength in the Super Sixteen, and with the form they displayed, they could cause upsets in the quarter-finals. Egnot-Johnson needed to up his game, especially considering his 0-2 deficit against Hyde, but as we’ve seen before, match racing can always deliver the unexpected.
Quarter-Final Update: The Fight for the Semis Begins
The quarter-finals are now underway, with two races already completed in each matchup. The knock-out rule for the quarter-finals is that the first skipper to score at least two points shall proceed to the semi-finals. In each quarter-final matchup, the semi-finalist was determined after two races.
The current results show some familiar names continuing to dominate, but others are in a more precarious position as the series unfolds.
- Cole Tapper (AUS) vs. Hayden Smith (NZL), 2-0
- Reuben Corbett (NZL) vs. Ethan Fong (NZL), 2-0
- Noah Malpot (NZL) vs. Robbie McCutcheon (GBR), 0-2
- Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL) vs. Josh Hyde (NZL), 0-2
Looking Ahead: Who Will Make It to the Finals?
As the quarter-finals progress, the intensity will only increase. Cole Tapper’s flawless sailing puts him in a commanding position, but Reuben Corbett, Robbie McCutcheon, and Josh Hyde are all hungry for the chance to disrupt the leaderboard and claim victory. With a mix of local talent and international challengers still in the hunt, the regatta promises even more thrills in the coming days.
Can Tapper hold his lead? Will Corbett break through and challenge for the top spot? Which emerging contender will step up and surprise us? These questions will all be answered as the championship moves towards its thrilling conclusion. For New Zealand fans, there’s still a chance for local sailors to claim the crown — but the competition is as fierce as ever. Stay tuned for more action from this exciting regatta!
