Representatives from Yacht clubs in Nelson, the Marlborough Sounds, Motueka and Golden Bay met over the weekend of March 9/10 for some friendly racing and aquatic enjoyment!
Light winds and lots of sunshine provided ideal conditions for a wide range of ages and abilities, sailing a varied selection of craft:
- Open Bic x3
- Topaz Uno x3
- Optimist x6
- Phase II x2
- Sunburst x2
- Laser x1
- A Class catamaran x1
- Modified Contender x1
Over the 2 days we managed 7 races in all, including an “adventure race” and racing non-standard courses between the beach and the start/finish line out in the bay.
The adventure race began with a Le Mans start from Kaiteriteri Beach and involved sailing up to and around Ngaio Island, (near Split Apple Rock) before returning to the “race box” on the beach. Winner of the junior fleet in this race was Henry Hufflet, who was awarded the new “Split Apple Rock Trophy”!
The course racing involved a fair bit of tight manoevering at close quarters as the Open Bic’s and Optis battled it out, just behind the main fleet. The Optimists had the biggest fleet, over which Max Meffan finally reigned supreme, taking away the “King of the Lake” trophy at the end of the weekend.
It was great to see the lads from Golden Bay competing in their recently restored Sunbursts and they had a good time fighting it out with each other and with some of the Topaz sailors.
Paul Hufflett gets a special mention for his entertaining start line tactics; receiving a 360 degree penalty for barging the start line on port tack!
It was really great to see such a mix of abilities at the regatta, from adults and children completely new to racing, through to some more hardened “sea-dogs”!
Thank you to all the local businesses who supplied us with generous spot prizes and especially to Andrew Meffan who provided the committee boat as well as an additional patrol boat. Thanks also to Andrew for all his time, as well as to Julian Ballance and Hilton Grant.
Results:
Optimists:
- Max Meffan – winner of “The King of the Lake Trophy”
- Todd Ballance
- Burty Meffan
Open Bic
- Henry Hufflett
- Trinity Hufflett
- Ben Roff
Topaz Uno
- Alice & Charlotte Faulkner
- Hilton & Dillon Grant
- Liz Roberts & Claire Ballance
Open Fleet
- Robert Chubb (Modified Contender)
- Hilton & Dillon Grant (Topaz Uno)
- Charlotte & Alice Faulkner (Topaz Uno)
Split Apple Rock Trophy
Henry Hufflet (Open BIC)
Spot Prize Sponsors:
Kaiteriteri Lodge & The Beached Whale
The Shoreline Cafe
Kaiteriteri Motorcamp
Aquataxi watertaxis
Abel Tasman Sailing Adventures
Wilsons Abel Tasman
Doyle Sails Nelson
New Zealand Sailing Ltd.
Chris Roff
March 2013