Defending champion Michael DUNSTAN, representing the host club, the Royal Sydney Yacht Club, yesterday impressively won eight flights to jump to the top of the leader board on day two of the Hardy Club Under 25 International Match Racing Regatta.
Dunstan, the helmsman of the RSYS 1 team, lost the only flight he contested yesterday in the shortened first race of racing, but was unbeatable today with a succession of wins, including against most of his major international opposition.
He outsailed Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's team skippered by Laurie JURY, Australia's leading young woman match racing skipper, Katie SPITHILL, leading the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club team, and Mark DORLING, skipper of the RSYS 2 team.
Conditions were perfect for close tactical and aggressive match racing in the Elliott 6s, with each of the 12 Australian and International teams notching up at least one success.
The weather was again hot (34C degees) but the competition was even hotter on the water as the young sailors from Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Japan did battle in the sports boats.
On the water umpires had their hands full in handling infringement claims, with several boats losing a winning lead as they took their penalty turns just before the finish line.
After two days of sailing, the battle is wide open for the Hardy Cup, a trophy donated by Sir James HARDY, the former America's Cup, Olympic and World Champion yachtsman.
Michael DUNSTAN (RSYS 1) has had eight wins from nine match race encounters, Mark DORLING (RSYS 2) has seven wins from 11 matches while Brian ANGEL from California's King Harbour Yacht Club also has had seven wins from nine races.
Dunstan will head Pool A as the top six teams head towards tomorrow's day three of match racing to decide the four finalists.
However, with some scheduled flights still to be completed, the top six teams will not be decided until further racing.
Four other teams, Mission Bay Yacht Club (USA), Landmark Travel Yachting, Bucklands Beach Yacht Club (NZL), Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (NZL) and Royal Perth Yacht Club (AUS) each have six wins on the board.
Results after Day 2:
Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron 1 - 8 wins, 1 loss
King Harbour Yacht Club, USA - 7 wins, 2 losses
Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron 2, AUS - 7 wins, 4 losses
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, NZL - 6 wins, 3 losses
Mission Bay Yacht Club, USA - 6 wins, 3 losses
Royal Perth Yacht Club, AUS - 6 wins, 5 losses
Landmark Travel Yacht, Bucklands Beach Yacht Club, NZL - 6 wins, 5 losses
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia - 5 wins, 6 losses
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, AUS - 3 wins, 5 losses
Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, AUS - 2 wins, 6 losses
Waihike Yacht Club, NZL - 2 wins, 9 losses
Team Bambino, Japan Match Racing Association, JPN - 1 wins, 10 losses