15th February 2009

Over twenty yachts sailed in light winds, from the southeast through to the north at times, a sunny day with the temperature in the low twenties. The Intermediate was won by Matt Ward, sailing a Starling, with four firsts to count in the five race series.
Aleisha Ferguson made a clean sweep of the Optimist races and took first place in the Junior fleet. Jaeden Buxton and Shaun Rumbles were second and third respectively.
Arthur Giffney won the final race (on the water and on handicap) and took first place in the Senior Centreboard fleet, followed by Ross Wrenn (with a first on the water in the first race of the day. Thomas and Josh who sailed in a Frostply today (in the first round a Windrush 12) took two firsts on handicap and placed third overall.
A tense battle for the overall first placing in the Trailer Yacht fleet developed, with Mike Allison (Caribou 17) having a narrow win over the Micah and Peter Wilkinson pairing (Hartley 18). Shane Buxton sailed his recent purchase, the Joker 6.7 “Sugar Shack” and lead the Joker trio over the finish line in the final race.
Other notable returns to the water included Nigel McCarter (Laser), Linda Civil back in a Micron for the afternoon, Ian Hockey jumped into Liz’s Laser to take a third place in the final race of the day.
Thanks to Jamie Rumbles for the on the water management and for updating the results in the computer. Ragina cooked the sausages and onions to perfection.

Sprint races are back on the calendar next Sunday (22nd) and promises to be great fun.

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).

1st February 2009

It might have been Sprint Races but it was races with in race; that is apart from Alex Kraayenhof aboard his Paper Tiger. Alex won all the races on the water, a really great wind for the PT to perform well. Alex’s handicap has been set to 1.0; this sees him at the head of the leader board after the first days racing.

Next on the water were the head of the Laser fleet, Arthur Giffney having the best of the day, but Ross Wrenn finished ahead in race 4. Arthur Ferguson almost had race 5 but was undone just 20 metres from the line and relegated to second place.

The Phase 2s pushed the mid fleet Lasers, showing a real improvement from earlier in the season. Micah Wilkinson with crew Linda and Hamish McPherson with crew Claire Gardiner shared the honours, both looking to have good form ahead of the Phase 2 Nationals to be held at Ngaroto on the 4th and 5th April 2009. Ann and Nadine were close behind and aiming for a faster finish.
The lead in the Starlings was also shared; Mathew Ward having the best of the mornings racing while Alex Wilkinson dominated in the afternoon.

Jaeden Buxton in an Opti finished the afternoon with a couple of wins, reversing the tables on Shaun Rumbles superior morning effort.

The 21 boats enjoyed a great wind, coming in from the southwest right on queue. The down wind start in the morning provided something a little different, the sailors quickly adapting to what was needed to start well. The 15 knots experienced at times in the afternoon tested those who could use it especially up wind. For the juniors it was a little too much for some but they still had a great sailing day.

Thanks to Jamie and Shane for the course setting, the several others who manned the tower and clubhouse.

Next weekend is the club trip down to the New Plymouth Regatta. It looks like we’ll have about eight centreboard yachts (Lasers, Phase 2s and a Paper Tiger all confirmed) going to experience the Tasman Sea. Camping is available at the club, Ross planning to be there about 5 pm with the keys.