Joker Championships
14/10/07 16:11 Filed in: October
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.
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.