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New Zealand featured twice in the podium placings at the 2015 China Cup Regatta held in Hong Kong and Shenzhen (Guangdong Province), China from October 30th to November 2nd, 2015.
New Zealand’s Matthew Kelly and his team, representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, have won the Farr East 28R division, while the Guy Pilkington skippered/Chris Steele helmed ETNZ team placed 2nd in the Beneteau First 40.7 Class.
Rangitoto College student, Matt Kelly skippered the Farr East 28R to a well-deserved win in the china cup in Shin-Zeng for the RNZYS. In a fleet of ten racing for four days, the only finished outside the top two in one race to take out their division convincingly.
Kelly’s crew included James Delegat, Jacob Willis, Ibuki Koizumi and Tom Pickering.
Pilkington was skipper of the ETNZ entry in the hard fought First 40.7 class featuring 25 boats, and they were narrowly beaten by Longcheer skippered by Australian Steve McConaghy.
Pilkington, admitted to a mix of emotions at finishing runner-up to Longcheer. “A little bit disappointed and pleased,” said the Kiwi. “We had the chance to win, but it's a young team, the first time we've sailed together and I think we've done an exceptional job overall.”
