Neil Hodges along with his crew of Scott Hodges, Jean Miles and Barry Upson aboard their Ross 780 “Fast Forward” took first place in Division One by taking four first placings and a second place to count. They also claimed the John Dixon Memorial Trophy presented to the winning yacht after combining the times with Division two and recalculating. They had travelled from New Plymouth over three weekends for the series, repeating their winning performance of 2007. Second place in Division One went to Ian Horner and crew K Quickenden and Charlie Quickenden sailing another Ross 780, “Bonkers” also from New Plymouth. The first Waikato sailor Rob Ebert and crew John Barnard and Austin Ebert placed third in their Young 6m “Winsome II”.

Division Two (yachts with a smaller handicap rating) was won by Dick Newman with Ron Bachhouse, John Pease sailing a Nolex 22, “Concrete and Steel” who had five first placings to count in the Division. Second place went to Don Latimer and Ron Shapley (Whakatane) sailing a Cherry 16. Their regatta included a capsize in race four after being hit by a squall combined with a jammed cleat and a broken rudder and later being towed to shore. It was great to have them back for the final days races. Murray Wall and crew Linda Wilkinson and Kate French were pushed into third place on a count back with Latimer.

The day started with a good frost but soon warmed up accompanied by a light breeze. The final race starting mid afternoon saw the best of the wind, hitting ten knots at times. After the recent wet rainy period the lake was full, the water being up to the base of the car park area but did not dampen the spirit of the sailors. Thanks must go to Shirley Wall and Anne Byford for their valued assistance in keeping the regatta running.

The Annual Ngaroto Trailer Yacht Regatta on the 27th and 28th September 2008 is the next major regatta to be held at Lake Ngaroto. Briefing is at 10.30 am. The Pot Luck dinner on Saturday night has an “Under Water” theme; get your thinking caps on and come prepared with your creation!

www.teawamutu.net/nbc