Kawhia New Years Day Regatta

Neil and Alison Hodges and crew from New Plymouth sailing the Ross 780 “Fast Forward” took over the lead position on leg three and continued on to narrowly win on line from “Bonkers” skippered by Ian Horner also from New Plymouth. The third and forth places in the Trailer Yacht fleet went to the Joker 6.7 “Columbine” Chappy and Angela Farrell and to Owen and Janice Johnston in another Joker 6.7 “ResiVor”. Gordon Wallis and crew of Nigel McCarter sailed the Hartley 16 “Hamal” to be the fifth Trailer Yacht over the line, just two hundred meters behind the Jokers and took second place on handicap.
The centreboard section on line was taken by Arthur Giffney in a Laser who came through on the last leg to relegated Ross Wrenn (Laser) to second. Philips Phillips followed a margin back in his Flying Dutchman.
Kate French sailed the course in a Laser Radial, enjoying the experience on the harbour in a breeze that occasionally saw boat planing. Laurie Hoverd jumped onto a locally owned Cheery 16 for a sail though the blue and sun bathed waters. The race took near 1.5 hours for the leaders.

Pre race there had been much good banter especially amongst the Ngaroto Trailer Yacht fraternity. “ResiVor” was the target of most of it. On the water she appeared to have had her wind indicator tampered with, upsetting her ability to pick the wind? “Columbine” and “ResiVor” swapped the lead five times during the race, but Chappy timed his sprint up the last beat and held on to the finish.

Ross led the centreboard fleet almost all the way. A senior moment let him down when sailing the last leg, unfortunately not focusing on where the finish line was and letting Arthur slip through for the glory.

Gordon kicked him self for a poor start. He has now realised that Hartley’s need to be started like a centreboard yacht, stay close to the start line and sheet in a few seconds before the gun (none of the starting from way back, with momentum and trying to time the run).

Wayne and Kerry Satler (New Plymouth) parked up on a sand bank for a time during the race. What was he up to? And he used that for an excuse for not heading the handicap steaks! What do you think?