A fine rather windless day saw no races sailed. Pokuru races 4, 5 and 6 will be moved to the 18th April. The "Sailing Triathlon" will be moved to the 25th April (ANZAC Day) but starting at 13.00 hours. Members have been active on the water over January and February, at Kawhia New Year Regatta Owen Johnston took back the "Kawhia's Cup". A great weekend away was had at Lake Tarawera; a sail to Hot Water Beach, a sail/tramp to Okatina, sail boarding skiing, biscuiting and the heavans even opened from time to time (testing tent durability!). The 2010 Phase 2 National Champs (and Youth Champs) are from Ngaroto, Micah and Alex Wilkinson. Congratulations on the titles that were decided on the results of the final race (another 1st place and then the final regatta position decided on count back). Linda and Brian also sailed with distinction. A Newsletter will be printed later this week; more detailed articles will attract your attention.

The Waikato Thames Yachting Association 2010 Centreboard Champs are being held at Lake Ngaroto on the 20th and 21st of March 2010. All the regions sailors are strongly encouraged to attend and help make the regatta successful both on and off the water. The NOR is on this web site and in the Newsletter. Helpers are needed for this regatta; contact any committee member re your availability. The first round of the Mark Foy series is to be sailed next Sunday the 28th February, briefing at 10.30am. Slower boats are sent off early and those traditionally faster craft/sailors will have a fight on their hands to try to cross the finish line first. Great fun!

Congratulations to Pete Horton aboard his recently acquired Davison 16 Trailer Yacht. In true form Pete arrived late, not allowing enough time to make the start of the first race; so he went for a shake-down cruise instead. With increase breeze and a satisfied stomach he showed the Ngaroto regulars just how it's done sticking close enough to the Joker 6.7s to take the all important handicap honours. Peter van der Stap lead this race for some time (missed the morning race as seeing the All Blacks deal to the French was more important, and it truly was!) before giving away the lead. In the morning ResiVor sailed from the back of the fleet, picking off all ahead before the finish line. Ross Wrenn and Arthur Giffney duelled in the first race, Ross coming out on top with two marks to go, and just hanging on on the final two off wind legs. Danny Padman made it a trio at the front in the afternoon race, Ross managing to keep a narrow lead to the finish. Five other Lasers had a tightly contested battle further back, a capsize or two in the 10 to 15 knot north westerly breeze was the undoing of some. The Prindle 16 with Brian and Alex aboard (well at least mostly) was beached in the morning race for a re-righting. In the afternoon they showed the fleet a clean pair of heals in the strengthened breeze (no further rash excitement). Micah Wilkinson got some good practice in his Starling ready for his trip to Lyttleton Harbour early next year for the Starling Nationals. Thanks to Tom and Ann for keeping the water and land based activities on course.

Next Saturday the 5th December, at 11.00am (on the dot) the Annual Six-Hour Race begins. There's plenty of interest in this prestigious event, Plates (and honours) are up for grabs. A Pot Luck dinner follows then a night to remember at Ngaroto.

Mark Bell took out the regatta from 22 other sailors representing nine yacht clubs from throughout the North Island. Bell from the Tamaki River Multihull Assoc placed not lower than 3rd in the six-race regatta. The win was however not certain with a strong challenge from Hayden Percy, Napier, who finished with two first placings on Saturday, eventually settling for second overall and the first "B" grade sailor. Last years winner Terry Valder (Ngaroto) was always well positioned to pounce but the 3rd and 4th places on Sunday put him to third on count back with Hayden. Scott Pederson from Napier took second place in the "B" grade (5th overall) and Stuart Taylor (New Plymouth) place 1st in the "C" grade (9th overall) ahead of Alex Kraayenhof (Ngaroto).

Wind from the northwest, five to 15 knots predominated over the weekend, but interspersed with some marked shifts on Sunday when the final two races were completed. The wind gave opportunities for many great photos (Mike Allison and Ross Wrenn) that complemented the hampers presented to first and second places in each grade. The atmosphere at the regatta was festive right from the outset, with many sailors arriving and camping from Friday evening. The Ngaroto hosting crew provided fine cuisine to add to the shore based activities, even a two-hour power outage on Saturday evening was overcome. The Ngaroto regatta is well established in the series that also includes Horowhenua, Turangi and Taupo; a series that is a credit to the Paper Tiger sailors and the Association.

A 20 to 25 knot northwesterly breeze ripped over the Lake from midday, with some sailors changing their tack for the day. Arthur pulled out a 4.7 Laser rig, Blake a Radial rig; Nigel left his Laser on the trailer and hopped aboard Pete Horton's Davidson 16 Trailer Yacht. Owen left ResiVor tethered to the wharf while he crewed for Mike Allison. Danny helped Kate with the OD duties who probably were pleased with her position on the roster. The sole intermediate sailor, Alex aboard her Starling had no trouble with the conditions. Arthur soon found that the 4.7 rig was a little lacking as the wind steadily dropped in strength, being 10 knots by the start of the second race. Blake enjoyed a close battle with Arthur; the final beat in race six saw an intensive tacking duel with Blake making the top mark and then the finishing line first. Pete Horton made a rare appearance, this time in his recent purchase a Davidson 16 that was never too far from Micah and Peter in their Hartley 18. Thanks to Danny and Kate who oversaw the racing activities in what saw a drop in temperature and persistent light rain, enough to lower the body temperature under summer sailing attire.

A similar windy weekend for next weekends Paper Tiger regatta would be pretty much perfect. Briefing for this regatta is at 10.00am on Saturday. Club members are welcome to help especially on Saturday evening (dinner time); also to watch the spectacular racing in the Ngaroto leg of the Paper Tiger North Island Freshwater Series.

The breeze albeit a little light to start with did strengthen for the second race of the afternoon, enough to cause some capsizes for the unwary. Fifteen yachts competed in the 3rd and 4th races in the six race Mangapiko Series. Shaun Rumbles is finding his feet in a Starling; Anita Ferguson is trying her hand in a Viking (they do power up a little in a breeze). Tegan Hollow-Byford (P Class) and Jaeden Buxton (Firebug) shared the first places in the Junior fleet. The Laser fleet supported some close racing. Kate French had a taste of the lead in the first race, then fell into a hole and spent the balance of the race catching up and finishing mid fleet. Ross squeezed home ahead of the fast approaching Danny Padman. Owen Johnston in ResiVor kept a narrow lead on the water in the Trailer Yacht fleet. But Mike Allison in the Quintet 6 did enough to win both races on handicap. Next Sunday (15th November) sees the final two races of the series sailed. A tight finish is assured.

The Junior-Intermediate, Open Centreboard and Laser classes were all won by the Hamilton YC visitors. Annie Oxbarrow sailed her P Class for four wins from the four races. John Elliott (3.7) also had four wins keeping ahead of the two Phase 2s and the Flying Dutchman (on the water and on handicap). In the Laser fleet three sailors shared the gun in the individual races. Ken Atchison won the day on count back from Arthur Giffney and Ross Wrenn third. The wind, the lack of it at times and the changes in direction tested both the sailors and the officials (Owen and Shane) who managed to successfully run four races under the unstable conditions. The predicted westerly eventually arrived at times in race three and stabilised more in the forth. The 3.7 had its wire stretched on rare occasions late in the day, the majestic Flying Dutchman with Philip Phillips at the helm responded to the puffs and the Laser sailors had moments of hiking.

Eleven yachts braved the changeable weather conditions for the opening round of the Mangapiko Series. Warmth and sunshine at times, rain with a cool wind at others but some great conditions for racing; ask Alex Kraayenhof aboard his Paper Tiger if he could be caught. Always in the lead on the water, ahead of the chasing Lasers, and deservedly had a second and then a first place on handicap. Arthur Giffney sailed well to lead the Laser sailors most of the time apart from the odd excursion from Ross Wrenn. Nigel and Danny traded legs to share the next places. Some took a few dunkings; Ross and Blake were amongst wetter sailors. Shane Buxton convinced Regina that the race would be just a cruise while Melissa and Jaeden stayed safely below decks. Alex Wilkinson survived both Starling races, heading off Shaun Rumbles before Shaun headed to the shore as the wind increased. Training in the morning included the inaugural viewing of a DVD describing the rule(s) taking precedence on the start line. Thanks to Cedric Ingerson for production made after some incidents at the recent Joker Championships. The production had the younger sailors eyes fixed to the TV screen, taking in the situations described by Cedric. Thanks to Murray Wall for leading the training that on the water included a great drill "Jack Rabbit" where only Murray knew when the start was taking place; the sailors were best served by sitting just short of the line ready for the surprise start whistle. Jaeden and Blake featured at the Boat Show, Mystery Creek on Saturday; sailing a couple of Club Optis including both dry and wet capsizes in the confines of the "lake" to the delight of the spectators. Well-done guys! The next sailing at Ngaroto is on the 1st November, briefing at 10.00am for the start of the Waikato Lakes series. All Waikato sailors welcome and encouraged to sail at Ngaroto.

The racing tested the sailors nerves and skills along with the OD Murray Rumbles. The forecasted westerly sea breeze did eventually kick in but only as the afternoon racing was about to finish. Meantime Murray got the racing underway, the leaders were those with a good eye for the breeze, making the most of it from where ever it came from, a little luck was additionally favourable. Trevor Crosbie (National Joker Champ) with crew Claire Gardiner (National Phase 2 Champ, crew) aboard Bojangles did just enough to squeeze in a couple of wins. Sugar Shack pushed hard in the morning but settled for second. ResiVor pushed Bojangles even harder in the afternoon but fell six seconds short. Micah had a couple of good wins in the Starling fleet. Brian and Alex aboard the Prindle 16 had a good deal of speed as the wind increased. John Elliott was seen on the wire of his 3.7 in the afternoon, testing a new rigging combination. Arthur Giffney headed the open centreboard fleet on most legs of the course. Murray and Lianne Wall with the orange spinnaker hoisted demonstrated how to plane downwind. Philip Phillips installed a new storage unit for the marquee that doubles as a couch and bed. A big thanks to Philip! Next Sunday training starts at 10.30 am and racing starts with a briefing at 12.45pm with two races to follow.

Water-water everywhere, in the sky, in the lake, on the reserve and under foot. Luckily warm showers followed a rather cool afternoons sailing. Owen and Shane's OD skills were tested with an unusually variable wind. It came in from the northeast, the north, the northwest, west and south at times with a great sailing breeze. Between changes it was light and variable; skill with a little good fortune paid well. Seven Lasers and two Starlings took to the water for the first race of the day, but the fleet dwindled for the second race as the cool wet conditions took it' toll on sailors. Arthur Giffney took out the Laser class after a count back with Ross Wrenn. Matthew Ward with four first placings headed off Jaeden Buxton in the Starling fleet. Tegan Byford-Hollows only sailing on the second day of the series won the junior fleet. "ResiVor" with Owen and Janice Johnston (Janice very happy to settle for clubrooms duties today) took first place from Shane Buxton "Sugar Shack". The first round of the Club Champs series starts next Saturday the 11th October with a briefing time of 10.30 am. One race is scheduled for the morning and a second following lunch.

Bo Jangles skippered by Trevor Crosbie with crew of Shaun Rumbles turned on top performances on the final day of the 2009 Joker 6.7 Class Regatta to take the title off the 2008 trophy holders Owen and Janice Johnston in ResiVor. Shane Buxton along with Murray Wall in their second season aboard the Joker Sugar Shack pushed hard all weekend, their places included three first placing's but had to carry some lower placing's in their total. Peter van der Stap and Evan Ward took out the eighth and final race in Espresso and forth place in the seven strong fleet. Peter Stark and Neal Richard in Keeladen took out the Joker 820 title from the 2008 holder John Klinkhamer and Barry Kemps in Aperitif.

Winds strengthened in the afternoons of both days allowing the scheduled eights races to be sailed. The five races on Saturday in winds up to 18 knots pushed the sailors through to after 17:00 hours, when they then went onto the traditional regatta dinner flavoured with a "Gangster" costume theme. Thanks to all those people who ensured the regatta was fun for the 30 plus sailors. Our Club stars from the Phase 2 National Champs back in April went onto head the Ngaroto Regatta aboard their Hartley 18 NAF. Micah, Alex and Peter Wilkinson stuttered early on but won the final four races to get ahead of Hamal the Hartley 16 of Rob Greenwood and Lloyd Knauf. Third was taken by the early leader Mike Allison and Tim Buxton who could not hold onto their Saturday's form. Paul Moriaty helmed the New Plymouth domiciled "Bonkers" and along with fellow sailors Wayne Sattler and Ian Horner collected the Open fleet prize.

Fifteen boats and their crews enjoyed another light wind day in the Paterangi Series. Fresh back from the NI Trailer Yacht Champs at Tauranga Shane Buxton had confidence that his form could continue. But alas Owen and Janice downed Shane’s expectations even if they had to make a come back to do it. Janice’s skills are an obvious part of the successful “ResiVor” team! With the Joker Championships next weekend at Ngaroto another sailing duo to watch out for are Chappy and Angela aboard “Columbine”. Their time is certain to come according to an un-named tipster. The Ngaroto Trailer Yacht Regatta is being run concurrently with the Joker Regatta. We look forward to having visiting yachts to support our local sailors. A Pot Luck dinner will satisfy the famished sailors on Saturday night (the Club will help out if some sailors are travelling a little light). Don’t forget the “Gangster theme for the dinner, give it your best shot (no live rounds please)!

Back to today’s sailing; battles right from the start, with one end always too well favoured. A wind direction change as the last race of the day started caused most of the boats to raft up at the committee boat. Ross and Blake made the most of the opportunity to lead the fleet to the first mark, Ross continuing on to the finish. Nothing was for certain with several positions changing on the final leg. Results are on the web. Best of luck (and favourable winds) to the Trailer Yachties for the 27th and 28th Sept.

Shane's Crow - Did you hear that Shane Buxton beat Owen Johnston in the NZTYA North Island Champs? Yep, it's true. Shane had some great races and some really terrible ones too. Owen was "Mr Consistency" as usual.

Eight races were sailed, six on the Saturday and 2 on the Sunday. There was hot competition between the two Jokers with tic for tac sail changes on day one. Owen running a reacher for race 1, Shane adding a spinnaker for race 2, Owen fitting a Genoa for race 3, Shane fitting a Genoa for race 4. With the sail lockers empty it was boat speed, tactics and some really interesting sail combinations, like Owen poling a reacher out one side while poling the Genoa out the other on the down wind run. Was this allowed in the rules? Who knows, no protests, just increased competition. At the end of day 1 the inter Joker score was 3 races each. The regatta results had Owen in 5th with Shane last in 8th place. Shane had to pull an amazing comeback out of the sail locker if he was to beat Owen both in the regatta and the inter Joker competition.

A good nights sleep and it was back out onto the water for more racing. No wind, built to light winds, to a good 7 to 10 knot steady breeze. Three races scheduled but only two run due to the late start. Race 7 was very close with the lead changing at virtually every mark rounding culminating in a very tight final down wind run with Owen in front by several boat lengths. Owen's unique downwind combination was no match for Shane's spinnaker in the light winds and Shane pulled head to beat Owen by a mere 9 seconds. Close racing indeed. Race 8 was Shane's from the start to the finish, a good race plan had been laid and executed with precision with Shane pulling away from Owen on every leg. It wasn't until Shane was ½ way through the final downwind leg that he realised that he was in front of all the Nolex 22's in his fleet and he was in 2nd place on the water. The look of surprise on his face was priceless The race finished with much excitement on Sugar Shack having beaten Resivor 5 races to 3 in the inter Joker competition.

It was not until the prize giving that Shane discovered that he and Owen were on 37 points each with Shane taking 5th place and Owen 6th on count back. What a come back from 8th place the night before. I can't wait until the Joker Champs in 2 weeks time for the rematch. Sugar Shack, Shane Buxton with Murray Wall as crew and coach. Resivor, Owen Johnston with Tim Buxton and Mike Alison as crew.

Paterangi Series

Opening Day

Working Bee

Brass Monkey Regatta

John Dixon Memorial Regatta