Joker Championship Regatta
13/10/08 08:19 Filed in: October
11th and 12th October 2008
Joker class yacht enthusiasts, those seeking to show their short course racing skills assembled at Lake Ngaroto for the 2008 Championship Regatta. The fleet may not have been numerically the strongest, but by briefing at 10.00 am on Saturday (in true Joker fashion just a little late) the atmosphere in and around the Clubhouse was full of anticipation of a great regatta. The forecast was looking perfect, south westerlies developing, starting near 10 knots and reaching 15 to 18 knots (some gusts to 25) by mid afternoon. Past Champions were present, could the Johnston combination aboard “ResiVor” keep the “6.7” crown; could John Klinkhamer retain the 820 title? Would it be time for some new blood to forge ahead, there was certainly a lot of talk about the changing of the guard!
The Ngaroto Sailing Club team are champions at running the Joker Regatta, the regatta would have their well honed race organisation crew to ensure the racing program of eight races would fit into the weekend around the hospitality and culinary delights exuded from the famed Ngaroto rural kitchen.
Joker sailors assembled for the briefing wondering about the complexity of the courses, a simple lot they were, but under the direction of the OD they agreed that they understood how the course was shaped. (On the water a few whistles, a wave of the hands kept the boats on course (it’s best to have the sailors feeling good and having finished the course), but a radio call about which side of the finishing line to sail was a bit much to respond too, thankfully Fantasia made the correct choice when after a DNF in race one they were then positioned at sharp end of the fleet in the next race!
Most unfortunately, later in the day “Fantasia” felt the stainless steel bow of another competitor, a solid not so glancing blow to the amidships and was forced to retire from the competition. The injury to “Fantasia” was more than the shore crew could tackle and she limped back to Mac’s place to be accessed for more major surgery.
The combination of the experienced hands and new blood aboard “Espresso” (and there was a rumour she might be up for sale) saw her at the head of the “6.7” fleet on more than one occasion. Despite some uncertainty with the course she knew where the finishing line was and could very proudly look back at the rest of the fleet three times on Saturday!
True to the weather forecast, winds were more variable on Sunday, light and between the south at the days start and finishing from the northeast. An interesting windward leeward course incorporating a “Gate” added interest and challenged some skippers. Starting in the light and somewhat changeable winds favoured crews with good awareness of the current conditions and those travelling across the lake. Being on the start line on time was troublesome for some, greatly favouring those who were and moving. With a cool and patient head the Johnston’s aboard “ResiVor” prevailed with three firsts for the day.
“ResiVor” (Owen and Janice Johnston) took the Joker 6.7 class trophy from “Bojangles (Trevor Crosbie and Hoel Kruse). “Aperitif” (John Klinkhamer and Barry Kemps) retained the Joker 820 Class trophy (all first placings to count) from “Keeladen” (Peter Stark and John Bennett).
Thanks to the Clubhouse crew (including Claire, Linda, Alex, Liz, Jo and Regina) for tending the BBQ and the wonderful meal on Saturday night. Also to Jamie and Shaun for getting the patrol boats on to the water, to Evan for assisting on the water both days and Danny and Nigel on Sunday, also with putting everything back shipshape ready for next weekend. Damien skippered the video boat and helped so ably over the radio and around the course.
Joker class yacht enthusiasts, those seeking to show their short course racing skills assembled at Lake Ngaroto for the 2008 Championship Regatta. The fleet may not have been numerically the strongest, but by briefing at 10.00 am on Saturday (in true Joker fashion just a little late) the atmosphere in and around the Clubhouse was full of anticipation of a great regatta. The forecast was looking perfect, south westerlies developing, starting near 10 knots and reaching 15 to 18 knots (some gusts to 25) by mid afternoon. Past Champions were present, could the Johnston combination aboard “ResiVor” keep the “6.7” crown; could John Klinkhamer retain the 820 title? Would it be time for some new blood to forge ahead, there was certainly a lot of talk about the changing of the guard!
The Ngaroto Sailing Club team are champions at running the Joker Regatta, the regatta would have their well honed race organisation crew to ensure the racing program of eight races would fit into the weekend around the hospitality and culinary delights exuded from the famed Ngaroto rural kitchen.
Joker sailors assembled for the briefing wondering about the complexity of the courses, a simple lot they were, but under the direction of the OD they agreed that they understood how the course was shaped. (On the water a few whistles, a wave of the hands kept the boats on course (it’s best to have the sailors feeling good and having finished the course), but a radio call about which side of the finishing line to sail was a bit much to respond too, thankfully Fantasia made the correct choice when after a DNF in race one they were then positioned at sharp end of the fleet in the next race!
Most unfortunately, later in the day “Fantasia” felt the stainless steel bow of another competitor, a solid not so glancing blow to the amidships and was forced to retire from the competition. The injury to “Fantasia” was more than the shore crew could tackle and she limped back to Mac’s place to be accessed for more major surgery.
The combination of the experienced hands and new blood aboard “Espresso” (and there was a rumour she might be up for sale) saw her at the head of the “6.7” fleet on more than one occasion. Despite some uncertainty with the course she knew where the finishing line was and could very proudly look back at the rest of the fleet three times on Saturday!
True to the weather forecast, winds were more variable on Sunday, light and between the south at the days start and finishing from the northeast. An interesting windward leeward course incorporating a “Gate” added interest and challenged some skippers. Starting in the light and somewhat changeable winds favoured crews with good awareness of the current conditions and those travelling across the lake. Being on the start line on time was troublesome for some, greatly favouring those who were and moving. With a cool and patient head the Johnston’s aboard “ResiVor” prevailed with three firsts for the day.
“ResiVor” (Owen and Janice Johnston) took the Joker 6.7 class trophy from “Bojangles (Trevor Crosbie and Hoel Kruse). “Aperitif” (John Klinkhamer and Barry Kemps) retained the Joker 820 Class trophy (all first placings to count) from “Keeladen” (Peter Stark and John Bennett).
Thanks to the Clubhouse crew (including Claire, Linda, Alex, Liz, Jo and Regina) for tending the BBQ and the wonderful meal on Saturday night. Also to Jamie and Shaun for getting the patrol boats on to the water, to Evan for assisting on the water both days and Danny and Nigel on Sunday, also with putting everything back shipshape ready for next weekend. Damien skippered the video boat and helped so ably over the radio and around the course.