Earlier this month, Sienna Walsh and Rye Brady proudly represented the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) at the prestigious John Messenger Women’s Match Racing Regatta in Sydney. The duo and their team sailed strongly throughout the competition, finishing in an impressive fourth place.

The regatta, held from 6–7 September 2025, has been conducted annually since 1996 and continues to attract talented female sailors from across the globe. Open to teams of four or five sailors, the event was a World Sailing Grade 3 regatta this year, drawing a high calibre of competition.

Supported by CYCA Member Margot Connors, the regatta welcomed up to 10 invited teams to compete on Sydney Harbour. Since 2018, the trophy has been rededicated as the John Messenger Trophy in honour of John Messenger, a proud CYCA member who passed away in 2017. John’s legacy lives on through his dedication to youth and women’s sailing programs and his passion for the sport.

For Sienna and Rye, competing in Sydney was not only a fantastic result but also a special experience to be part of an event with such a rich history and international recognition.

Article added: Thursday 18 September 2025