7th and 8th February 2009

A classic sea breeze developed on both days of the New Plymouth. The wind hit 20 knots from the west late in the afternoon for the third race on Saturday. Jamie and Evan were more suited to those conditions and so too were Thomas and Josh who took a win over the very fancied pairing of Micah and Alex who just happened to experience a death roll on the final downwind leg opening the way for Thomas and Josh to take their only win amongst the Phase 2s. Micah and Alex won the other four races to take first overall. Ross and Arthur G relished the great sailing conditions over both days, also the wind also hitting 15 knots on Sunday. A second place was Arthur’s best, Ross managed a gun in one race, but Kent Copplestone (Foxton Beach) took the gun in the other four races to take the overall title. Colin, one of the local sailors came through to take second place all be it by just one point from Ross.
Shaun was elevated to the Opti Red fleet (after winning the Green fleet in 2008) and sailed in the inner harbour. Quite a challenge as the wind was shifty and gusty, Shaun couldn’t top the fleet but he was always there with a smile. Shaun was a valued part of the shore crew to help with trolleys for the senior sailors when the came to shore. Linda C and Linda R were the shore management duo and completed the Ngaroto team at the regatta (six boats and 9 sailors).