Over night the wind changed to the south at mainly 4 to 8 knots, slowing down the rate at which the repercharge and then the Gold and Silver round robins were completed. Racing was underway soon after 10.00am and finished around 2.00pm in bright sunshine as the breeze faded. Presentations were made after another well earnt lunch. Marhurangi Yellow took out the Gold fleet (Mahurangi Challenge Taiaha trophy) from Kerikeri Red, Mahurangi Black, Kerikeri Blue, Long Bay, West Lake and Paraparaumu . The Silver fleet was headed by Whangarei Pink (Kesley, Michael, Amber, Joseph, Ollie, Seager) from Whangarei Blue (Stacey, Mare, Cam, Kayne, Joseph, Sam), McLeans College (3rd), Hamilton Boys High (4th) (South, Oliver, Evan, Duncan, Ivan, Nick) Waikato Dio (5th) (Lianne, Monique, Melissa, Emma, Tiffany, Lauren, Georgia) and a Combined team (6th). Sailor skills had noticeably increased over the four days. The sailing and tactical skills and knowledge and application of make drills and rules were amazing. The Ngaroto Sailing Club thanks all the visiting coaches, umpires and team management people who helped over the four days. It’s a great pleasure for the Club to see the sailors develop so well during the course of the event. We trust you all enjoyed your time at Lake Ngaroto. Thanks go also to Shirley and Murray Wall who with out their untiring dedication this event would not happen at all let alone to a very high standard and also to Claire, Danny, Linda, Peter, Jackie, Gordon and Ross for pitching in with those practical things to keep things rolling.

Pokeru Series
9th December 2007
The day had to belong to Micah and Peter Wilkinson sailing a WTYA 420, although the handicap results are not calculated yet, they had a good day at near the head of the centreboard fleet, coming in ahead of Hamish and Claire sailing a Phase II in race three. Danny and Thomas also sailing a Phase II came through well in race three to be not too far from the lead. Mike Ellison sailing Ross Wrenn's Laser learnt a lot during the day, dealing to Evan Ward and Ross Wrenn in race three sailing another 420 for the day. Ward and Wrenn won all the starts, were ahead for the first three legs in race one but from then on it was all down hill. Eric Kraayenhof enjoyed the PT, hull flying frequently and took line honours in all races. Peter and Jackie (Espresso) in the Trailer Yacht fleet, pipped Owen and Matt in the final race to stop Resivor taking a clean sweep.
The Dio sailing team honed their sailing skills in what was a great breeze over their weekend training camp, all in preparation for the schools teams regatta on the 17th to the 20th December at Lake Ngaroto. Contact Murray Wall for the regatta organisation and to volunteer your services.
Thanks to Jamie for ODing till the call of the cows came then to Cam for stepping in, all under the eye of Alex Kraayenhof

1st and 2nd December 2007
All bathed in sunshine and with a light sou-westerly breeze fanning the lake 50 Standard Lasers and 45 Radial rigs were neatly assembled on the beach in front of the Lake Taupo Yacht Club. (The World Laser Radial Champs are to be sailed off Takapuna around Easter 2008; this has helped to stimulate increased interest in particularly in the Radial rigs.) That was indeed an inviting sight from the vantage point of the briefing on Saturday morning. I was one of the first out onto the pristine waters and looking back, what an impressive site all those flashy white sails in front of the newly and aesthetically painted clubhouse. Later in the day a bride was to be arriving by floatplane and debarking onto the beach ready for her big day; with panoramic views of the lake and onto the snow capped mountains beyond, the clubhouse is sure a special place.
With the first warning signal due to go at 12.25pm the breeze looked good. About 40 minutes late we eventually got underway in a fading and by then a shifty breeze. The first start a general recall, then out came the "I" flag and then the mass standard rig starts became more conservative. For me my start was at the non-favoured end of the line but in clear air and then with a right wind shift occurring that lasted about 3/4 of the first leg saw me handily placed (and quietly admiring my skills) towards the top mark. I eventually sailed into 19th place amongst the Standard Lasers in the first race. Could I improve on that, could I even hold onto it?
The wind went up and down and a fair way around the compass during the rest of the day. I was never able to read the conditions quite as well again. In race two I certainly didn't find the pressure that some had, and race three showed promise at times up the beats. Still I kept my head well above the water and enjoyed some good moments and some exhilarating reaching especially in the late afternoon when sailing back to the beach and beers.
Sunday dawned fine and very still. A little breeze emerged and we were sent out on to the lake on time. Alas after an hour and a half we were sent back to the shore when the breeze failed to establish. You can guess the next step, once back on shore the breeze again developed and back out on to the water and the racing eventually started after a general recall and the introduction of the "Z" flag. Two races were completed, slowly; nothing was for certain till the finishing line was crossed. Many of us in the final race who went out to the right on the final beat finished out side the time limit (although it looked very good for a while until those lefties struck a small breeze that left us for dead).
For me I was pleased to sail into 35th place overall. Other names some of you will know, Sam Meech 20th (Tauranga), Barry Cutfield 30th (Whakatane), Nick Page 34th (Pupuke), Mark MacIntosh 36th (Port Ohope). Results are on the Lake Taupo Yacht Club web site.

Ross Wrenn
Ngaroto Sailing Club

There was wind to suit almost all types of yachts. Very light from the north for the race before lunch, then later the wind shifted to the north west and strengthened up to 15 knots gusts in the forth and final race. Alex Kraayenhof flew the windward hull of the Paper Tiger well above the water to take firsts on the water and on handicap in races three and four. These placings could not head off the consistence of Melissa Wall and crew Emma Yates in a Phase II who on count back pushed Adrian France (and son) into second place on handicap. Micah Wilkinson and dad Peter won races one and two on handicap and sailed into third on handicap. The racing was very close.
The Laser class was a battle between Arthur Giffney in his very new Laser and Ross Wrenn, who alternated the firsts with Wrenn having the final say by just 14 seconds. Danny Padman kept in touch for much of the racing but just not at the finish line. Linda Wilkinson sailing a Micron in the youth class fleet with three firsts and a second was too good for Jacob Miller (Optimist, Cambridge) and Mathew Ward who ventured into a Starling for the day.
Thanks to Gordon, Mike, Owen for the on the water duties, for the results Murray and Janice and Shirley for making sure the clubhouse (BBQ and those all important prizes) ran smoothly.

An impressive fleet of 18 yachts, from Optimist (Shaun Rumbles who completed the six hour solo keeping up the Rumbles family tradition) through to an Elliott 7.4 (Gordon Wallis) tested their light weather sailing skills for the annual Six-Hour Race. Five marks were positioned at the extremities of the lake, pushing the course beyond the normal boundaries. Several boats popped spinnakers to try and aid their progress around the course, "Columbine" and "ResiVor" had particularly colourful sails and of course the big blue aboard "Southbound" could not be missed. The Feva sailed by Micah Wilkinson (and crews) supported a fluro gennaker seen well full when sailed into the right spot.
In addition to the racing, each sailor had a set of wooden "chips" that were to be thrown into ("at" for some) a plastic drum on the deck of the pontoon anchored out in the lake in front of the clubhouse. The light wind from mainly the north and north-west ranged in strength from 1 to 5 knots (very occasionally more for the lucky, or down to nothing), but usually something, provided a challenge while gaps between boats could change rapidly. For the record Ross Wrenn in a Laser completed 8.5 laps of the course, winning the centreboard fleet on line and handicap. Gordon Wallis on "Southbound" lead on the water completing 8.1 laps but after handicap correction John Roszak aboard his Kestral 18 "Y-Knot" took the Trailer Yacht fleet after completing 6.5 laps on the water.
The "Chip" counting revealed that Ross Wrenn got all (8) "chips" in the drum. Alex Kraayenhof had the heaviest bump on the pontoon with a small abrasion on the bow of the PT as evidence. Alex Wilkinson sailing a Tiger Cub aside the pontoon almost wiped Murray Wall (our intrepid close-up photographer) off with the end of the boom and into the water. Lucky Murray had a good keen eye. Thanks to the lap counters that included Janice and Shirley. The famished and thirsty sailors appreciated the snacks before the spot prize presentation.
Next Sunday, 25th November 10.30am briefing, sees the Waikato Lakes regatta at Lake Ngaroto. Our Trailer Yachties (Owen and Gordon, so volunteers contact these two) are running the regatta; let's have a real big centreboard fleet racing. We expect sailors from Cambridge and Hamilton to be competing too.

Terry Valder took first place in the A Class sailors and first overall but only after very close competition from Richard Dent (2nd), Jason Johnstone (3rd) and Mark Bell (4th), Ian McLennan (5th) and Wayne Hayman (6th). Jason Johnstone sailing in the B Class surrendered his lead he held at the end of Saturday, his 3rd placing in the only race on Sunday not good enough to maintain his position after the drop, but a great result for the young contender.
The wind on Saturday sprung up after an early lunch and continued mostly between 8 and 14 knots throughout the afternoon when four races were completed. The sailors relaxed during the evening and enjoyed a feast from the Clubhouse kitchen. After more relaxing on Sunday morning, another lunch a breeze finally struggled to cover the lake. Just one race was completed as the breeze stuttered, the race being shortened and racing for the day finished by 2.45pm. Prizes included electrical heaters (for the night had been cold) and framed photos of the best shots from the weekend. Photo CDs are being posted to contestants.
Thanks to the sailors who came from Napier, New Plymouth, Tauranga, and Auckland, you're a great bunch on and off the water. Thanks also go to the crew at Ngaroto who helped at the regatta, the very good turn out (Danny, Tom, Alex, Ross, Evan, Claire, Owen, Bob) made the regatta most enjoyable to run.

The Six Hour Race starts at 10.00am next Sunday. Come for a great day out on and off the water.

4th November 2007
In the Laser fleet, Ross placed first followed by Danny, Jamie (all from Ngaroto), Harl Harris (Cambridge) and Pete Horton (Ngaroto). Alex was second in the Open fleet sailing his Paper Tiger Southern Comfort (taking all the line honours on the way). Shaun Rumbles was third in the Opti fleet. Other sailors from Ngaroto to compete were Micah and Linda (RS Feva, complete with the fluro yellow spinnaker flying on off wind legs) and Alex (Tiger Cub). The wind, from the north-north west was in the 10 to 15 knot range with gusts higher, enough to raise the hull of the hull of the Paper Tiger on many occasions.
The next Waikato Lakes Regatta is at Lake Ngaroto on the 25th November, briefing at 10.30 am.

Next weekend (10-11th November) we have the Paper Tiger Freshwater Regatta at Ngaroto. Briefing is at 10.00am. A good big fleet looks very likely and will start to arrive on Friday night. There's a dinner on Saturday night, breakfast on Sunday morning and lunches over the BBQ. Plenty of good racing too!

13th and 14th October 2007
The vastly experienced sailing camera man, producer, director and yachtsman Cedric Ingerson absolutely delighted participants at the regatta with a history of the Joker Champs dating back 28 years (1979) to when Lake Hakanoa was the home for the event. In October 1999 the venue for the annual competition changed to Lake Ngaroto and that is where it remains today. Competition remains intense, but in very good spirit, even though numbers of yachts have declined somewhat from up to 50 Jokers over the years. Some individual yachts and skippers have stood the test of time over many decades, paintwork along with a few grey hairs may have changed but the camaraderie and close tussles on the water carry on. Years of old videos burnt onto DVD captured an otherwise fading history of the class regattas, thanks Cedric! We at Ngaroto will do our best to keep those Jokers active!
The weather at Lake Ngaroto as predicted was perfect for start of the 2007 regatta at Lake Ngaroto. A light northerly (predominantly) on Saturday morning gave crews time for a shake down prior to a 10 to 14 knot breeze prevailing for three races sailed back to back in the afternoon. It may have been a little cool as the sun faded but sailors bodies and the atmosphere were soon warmed with the spread from the Ngaroto kitchen, a couple of fortifying beverages along with plenty of post competition analysis followed by the Joker AGM. Spirits in the Association remain high under the guidance of the re-elected President Owen Johnston.
Sailing success for Saturday belong to ResiVor (Owen and Damien Johnston), Pierrot sailed by Neville Hunt (after a long period of absence from the Class) and Graham Dryer threatened at times but suffered a couple of rigging failures that saw some DNFs or DNS amongst their tally. Taiko had a taste of the lead in race four but surcame to the pressure from the chasing pack, Nigel's mind being overtaken by the news of the Environment Waikato election results for which he was standing (most unfortunately unsuccessfully). Amongst the 820 Class Aperitif (John Klinkhamer and Barry Kemps), Contagious (Grant Penney and Noel Brown) and Keeladen (Peter Stark and Richard Neal) all scores first places, Aperitif holding a one point lead at the end of the day.
A weather front passed through over night with plenty of wind and rain and by the time the morning lightened a northwesterly of 10 to 15 knots prevailed providing a great platform for the final days sailing. But as racing was getting underway the wind lifted, two 820s started, Contagious retired with a broken vang, while Aperitif sailed untroubled to be the sole finisher of the shortened race. The 6.7 Class start was abandoned. Racing was finally abandoned for the day (regatta) at 12.15 pm with no further races sailed as the wind hovered between 20 to 30 knots. The 820 Class was won by Aperitif (John Klinkhamer and Barry Kemps) while ResiVor (Owen and Damien Johnston) took out the 6.7 Class with 5 firsts from five races. Prizes, trophies and certificates were presented after lunch. CDs containing many photos taken through the regatta are to be posted to competitors.
Owen Johnston (Class President) thanked the members of the Ngaroto Sailing Club for their management on the water and for the hosting in the Clubhouse.

7th October 2007
The day started slowly with only three boats on the water for Race One. Big Alex in PT Southern Comfort took line honours over Micah in Karizma
(P Class) followed by Little Alex in Tiger (Tiger Cub). A break for lunch which included fresh warm scones encouraged more sailors were get out on the water and enjoy the breezy sunny day. Big Alex and Iain in Southern Comfort enjoyed the freshening conditions, with Micah and Peter in the Phase II (Micah's Dad - first time sailing) came in second place. Evan and Lauren (a visiting American Uni student) in the other Phase II followed behind. Little Alex took the opportunity to learn to fly a ahead of Evan and Lauren (Phase II) with Alex (Tiger Cub) coming in fourth. Shaun (Opti) gave a Comfort tutored by Alex the PT whipped around the course to take out line honours in Race 3. Micah and Peter (Phase II) kept and a new club member took their Laser young sailor some tuition sailing in another Opti, Matt and Micah took a Phase II out for a spin after the racing, hull in the Tiger Cub. Race 3 and Evan gave Lauren a swim with a capsize at the start line in the jostle for best starting position. (Evan stayed dry - what a gentleman!) With Iain at the helm of Southern out for a sail. A very pleasant day was had by all - but other boats were sorely mis
sed! Many thanks to Claire and Cam for OD and the helpers on the BBQ (Jean and Werner).

29th and 30th September 2007

Craig Canute and David Kernot (Manakau) finished, as they started, with a win in the final race in a fleet of seven Hartley 16 yachts competing at the regatta. They won the regatta from Tony and Rory Flannagan (Manakau) who had four seconds and a first place to count. Greg Smyth and David Earnshaw (Manakau) who placed as high as first in race three completed the top three yachts. The term "Hartley Sandwich" was coined to describe the jostling that occurred frequently at mark roundings. The competition amongst the remaining four yachts was intense, just four points separating them, with the Ngaroto entrant Rob Greenwood placing as high as 3rd in race three. A few scratches to the paintwork were apparent even in this non contact sport.
Owen Johnston and crewmember Glen Streetes (ResiVor) continued their consistent way by taking out the Open fleet from ten other yachts. John Roszak and crew Bob Paget (Y Not) pushed from further back on the water to take second place on handicap. They included a first place in their tally. Gordon Wallis sailing Southbound lead on the water and fort through on Sunday to take third place on handicap from the chasing Jokers of Peter van der Stap (Espresso) and Chappy Farrell (Columbine). Chappy's head received attention from the boom when in close quarters with another white Joker 6.7. Espresso was not the only Joker to loose their way in the first race on Sunday, but recovered to cross the finish line. Visiting yachts came from Thames, Hamilton and New Plymouth.
Thanks to all those people who helped, including the visitors. Over twenty people enjoyed a feast on Saturday night and an early breakfast (daylight saving time change over) was equally sort after. Thanks to the chefs and the cleaner-up-ers too.
The Joker Championships (13th and 14th October, briefing at 10.00am) is the next big Trailer Yacht regatta at Lake Ngaroto.

Races 6 and 7, 23rd September 2007
Shaun Rumbles has taken out the Junior fleet of the Paterangi series for 2007-8. Ross Wrenn headed off the chasers in the Senior centerboard fleet. Danny Padman lead the first race of the day for just over a lap when Ross got the shift he wanted and jumped to the lead. Boat swapping during the series made the results collation challenging; if a different boat was sailed that was taken as another entry.
Owen Johnston took out the Trailer Yacht fleet. John Roszak won on handicap by a few seconds the morning race while Johnston in the afternoon had a gap of a minute on handicap.
Te Awamutu College students sailed the 420s with the assistance of Cam, Evan and Jamie. How times change, our youth sailors are now running the sailing, doing a very good job too. Thanks to Dave Smith and Gordon Wallis for organizing the school sailing and may it grow.
Claire and Alex ODed the day, set a great triangle windward leeward course and also managed the clubhouse duties.
Races 4 and 5, 16th September 2007
Shaun Rumbles and Cam Mans were particularly pleased with the racing today. Shaun beat all boats home in the afternoon race, receiving the horn of course, although he sailed a course shorter than the seniors that did not matter. Cam sailing the club Laser in the afternoon lead the senior fleet for most of the race, it was the finishing line that really mattered, and he did not wilt! Alex got lost at one stage and gave away the lead, Thomas stayed in touch in both races, sailing a Phase II single handed, and will soon be a real threat on the water! Jamie has adapted to the Laser really well, far better than the PT he sailed in the afternoon. A tuneful melody from the flute of David Chin resonated over the lake making an interesting interlude while the winds were lighter. Thanks to Tom for ODing the day and Shirley for her culinary skills on the BBQ. The wind was generally in the 5 to 8 knot range (a few holes in the morning), the morning rain soon disappeared making for a lovely sunny afternoon.

Micah (P Class) and Alex Wilkinson (Frostply, Sunburst and Tiger Cub) and Peter Horton (Laser) represented Ngaroto at the Cambridge regatta weekend. Micah won all the P Class races (6) over his rivals, Peter taking second in the Lasers (3). Two Cambridge High School teams competed for the shield, won by the number one team. Winds were very light over the weekend, kayaking being the order of the day for some.

Races 1, 2 and 3, 9th September 2007
Nineteen yachts, including the six 420's sailed by Hamilton Boys High students enjoyed a cool southeasterly breeze of 8 to 12 knots. A beat the full length of the lake tested the hiking muscles, the beat completed 11 times during the course of the three races. The breeze that gusted from time to time put Shaun, Jamie and Melissa into the water. Linda suffered gear failure that ended her day. Alex aboard his Paper Tiger, hulls flying at times won the races on the water, Ross the first of the Lasers followed by Danny and Jamie. Micah completed the long morning race before jumping ship to assist Cam on a Phase II in the afternoon. Nigel (along with Shaun in the afternoon) sailing Taiko has got off to a head start in the trailer yacht fleet, ahead of the only other starter David Chin.
The colorful red and blue sails of the 420s made quite a spectacle; the boats responded well to the breeze, the racing was tight and the sailors relished all angles around the course. Thanks to the parents, sailors, teachers and the WTYA 420s, and particularly Claire, Gordon and Owen for organizing the day and keeping it on course. Other local schools (Te Awamutu College) will be on the water in the 420s in the near future too. Watch this space!

1st and 2nd September 2007
A dozen sailors enjoyed the coaching, were put through on water drills, learnt about race preparation and all in ideal sailing conditions. Thanks to Christine Headey for sharing her knowledge and for staying on into the evening too. Thanks to all those willing hands that really made the long day possible, the famished sailors relished the evening meal. Those staying over were awakened an hour before sun up by an unwelcome hoon, who promptly got stuck in the soft terra firma by the lake edge, we had other activities to deal with before towing them out several hours later. Us overnighters took part in a dawn ceremony held by the Ngati Apakura tribe to place a "Healing Stone" in the lake. In a hand woven flax basket the stone that must have weighted near 40 kgs was carried to the club patrol boat and after a prayer out on the water was lowered over the side to rest on the lakebed. The stone is said to assist with the health of the lake, where some of the tribe's forebears lie and the connection of the past with the future. Breakfast followed in the Clubrooms, but only after the presentation of a Kowhai tree to the Club and it's planting near by.
Sailing got underway in a 10-ish knot westerly breeze, that at times reached 15 plus knots. Great fun was had by Cam and Alex in their Paper Tigers and Gun and Christine aboard the Flying Dutchman. Others survived the ordeal to various degrees. The multiple short race format kicked off the spring equinoctial wind season with some excitement. What a great couple of days!

8th July 2007

Cam (PT), Lianne and Thomas (420) and Ross (Laser) all enjoyed the sun, the warm day, a light breeze, alas the breeze failed to last and the abandonment signal beat them all. Cam's confidence in the never failing sea breeze was well blown away. (The hull lifting 10 to15 knots Cam experienced at Ngaroto last Sunday makes the Lake tops!) Next round on the 22nd July; let's hope the conditions are good.


5th August 2007
A wind from the west of mainly 14-18 knots, up to 20ish at times and down to about 10 knots. Wind against tide made for some challenges in the first two of the three windward leeward courses sailed.
Lianne and Thomas in a 420 practiced on the harbour yesterday, in little wind in contrast to today. Robyn bribed the committee boat with a chocolate cake. Gun and Christine sailed a different angle than a 3.7 and gave him a little friendly rub, it cost Gun a beer at the end of the day. Ross (Laser) had three lay downs, controlled of course as evidenced by still being dry above the waist. Ben, I don't know any of your exploits. Over all a very good day! The final round of the series is to be sailed on the 19th August.
Corrected results for the Brass Monkey Regatta last Sunday are on the web (sorry I forgot to apply the time correction factor, still it shared the prizes around).

Dinghy coaching is being held on Saturday the 1st September at Lake Ngaroto. 9.00am start going through to about 5.00pm. Christine Headey will take the coaching, charge $20 each. Bookings essential, contact Ross Wrenn. There's an over night stay at the Clubhouse on Saturday night (Ross is camp father but he will need help!!!) and our Opening Day on Sunday, briefing 10.30am.

15th July
Neil Hodges and crew of Fast Forward stepped up to take two first placings and headed off Ian Horner (and crew) in Bonkers, currently second overall, a previous regular winner of the series in the past. Could there be a new winner of the John Dixon Memorial series this winter? In the morning race the wind lifted later in the race and favoured the slower classes, Phil Skipworth in a Hartley 14 gained the most to finish 2nd on handicap before a quick lunch. John Pease sailing the Nolex 22, Concrete and Steel, finished second on handicap, just 12 seconds behind Fast Forward in the afternoon race. The wind topped out at 15 knots from the east at times before gradually fading (typically 7 to 10 knots over most of the day) later in the afternoon as cloud covered the sun. Thanks to Alex, Danny and Shirley for their help on and off the water.
The final race of the series is on 29th July and is sailed in combination with the Brass Monkey Centerboard Regatta. Briefing is at 10.30 am, prizes, photographs and trophy presentations at the completion of the racing.

29th July 2007
What a day! A new winner of the John Dixon Memorial Trailer Yacht Winter Series was found, Neil Hodges and crew of Fast Forward a Ross 780 from New Plymouth. They also won the Fleet 1 competition from Ian Horner and crew on another Ross 780, Bonkers, a former winner of the trophy on several occasions. Owen and Janice Johnston in the Joker 6.7 "ResiVor" came home third after a series of consistent performances.
John Pease sailing Concrete and Steel (Nolex 22) put in a solid and consistent performance to narrowly head off but just by one point John Rozak (Kestrel 18) and Phil Skipworth (Hartley 14).

The centreboard sailors were challenged by torrential rain during race two, then a little later by a squall of 20 knots or so later in the race. Several capsizes occurred, but the sailors bounced back even if the rescue boat crews were stretched.
The winning Optimist was Zak (fleet of four). Laura took out the honours in the Starling fleet (fleet of four). Gun Caundle and Christine Heady won the Open fleet sailing a Flying Dutchman (three first placings) from John Elliott on his 3.7 "Flat Foot" and four other sailors.

Thanks to all those sailors who traveled considerable distances for the events. To all the people (Danny, Mac, Shirley, Claire and Ross, Owen and John who jumped onto the rescue boat) who helped on this day challenged by the weather, a big, big thank you too.

1st July 2007
Around 40 sailors and 15 yachts enjoyed 7 to 10 knot northerly winds, along with a little light rain at the start of the Trailer Yacht Winter Series for 2007. Several yachts traveled up on Saturday from New Plymouth, in time to see the All Blacks and the Americas Cup live on TV. (Unfortunately second placings were the order of the night). As the day dawned Ian and Wayne and crew produced another scrumptious Kiwi breakfast, the sailors were certainly not put their tucker following the night's performances.
The Ross 780s, Bonkers (Ian Horner a premature starter in race one, but recovered), Tatra Lass (Paul Tippett) and Fast Forward (Neil Hodges) lead the other yachts on the water. Fast Forward went onto win race one on handicap and on the water. John Roszak (Y Not, Kestrel 18) took out first place in Fleet 2 ahead of Phil Skipworth (Hartley 14, Kawhia) and John Pease (Nolex 22, New Plymouth).
Overall (for the trophy) Bonkers and Fast Forward are tied for first and ResiVor (Owen and Janice Johnston, Joker 6.7) third after the two races sailed.
Thanks to all the sailors, especially several new to racing at Lake Ngaroto, and to the people who helped on the water and in the clubhouse. The next race day is the 15th July, briefing at 10.30 am.

The Dio sailing team had an hour or two in those rather crampt little Optis, honing their skills for regattas later this season. Well done girls we will be watching your progress throughout the season. Cam has recently bought a Paper Tiger, (Stiletto), and put her through her paces. The wind got up to around 15 knots and saw the cat up on one hull on several times during the early afternoon. The Tauranga winter series is on again next weekend and the PT is to be there, watch out for the performance machine in a great sea breeze!