2010 .....
Marsden Cove Regatta
The brave souls that travelled north (and some south) with a frightening forecast - (seems like de ja vu) got treated to some great sailing after the esteemed PRO Paddy decided that discretion was the better part of valour and sailed the fleet in the Whangarei harbour entrance rather than venturing offshore. (Note that this may have had something to do with the freeboard on the start boat but lets just say the 5.9 sailors weren't unhappy about the decision either!). The Saturday started a little chilly and with moderate Northerlies rising to fresh at times and generally flat water with the tide making life intriguing for the non locals! Also to be watched were the various sandbanks and several boats came to grief (who thinks the depth sounder is a silly idea now huh? - Ed).
Voodoo dominated the first day with several commanding wins - but blotted their perfect scoresheet by making a mistake in race 3 and having to do turns (sorry Hobo - but they went on to win) and eventually returning to restart race 5 only to find out that they werent over and giving the fleet a big headstart which proved too much to overcome - the race won by Slam Dunk. Otherwise the racing was as tight as ever in shortish courses and enough shifts to keep everyone in the hunt. In the moderate breezes everyone appeared to be going fast, with the usual contenders in the mix and the likes of Sub and Cut Lunch often leading races but not quite able to nail it home. The hard luck story of the day was Cocho and the Zoot team doing some blast reaching before the race 3 start as a breeze filled in breaking a lower - but doing a great job to keep the rig in the boat they missed 3 races for the day and effectively ending their regatta chances. A special mention to Luxery Liner that went aground after the first race and had a crew over the side as they got towed off - retiring for the day.
The Sunday started with an another breezy forecast, and so racing again was held in the harbour. Starting the day in sunshine and lighter conditions had the fleet on lighter jibs, but as the rain squalls arrived so did the wind and by race 4 the best downwind ride was had by all with the breeze touching 25kts from the NW. Voodoo started the day by giving the fleet a sniff - making a mess of the start, but followed that with 3 wins to put the regatta beyond doubt - then high tailed it for home with the weather looking threatening. Early on in the day with the tide running out the downwinds were interesting, then the tide turned and with the top mark close to a sand bank there was a huge elevator on the starboard layline where you could underlay by 50m and still make it even if you were nearly head to wind at the end (gotta love those whangarei sandbanks - Ed).
Voodoo 1,1,2,1,3,3,1,l,1,DNS 14
Slam 4,2,3,2,1,2,6,2,2,DNS 24
BRZO 3,6,4,6,2,4,3,4,4,1 31
Hobo 2,8,1,3,4,7,4,7,7,3 38
Zoot 6,3,DNS,DNS,DNS,1,5,3,6,2 46
Sub 5,5,5,5,OCS,6,2,5,3,DNS 46
Cut Lunch 7,4,6,4,OCS,5,7,6,5,4 48
Friv Fish 8,7,7,DNF,DNS,8,8,8,8,5 69
Lux Liner 9,DNS,DNS,DNS,DNS,DNF,9,9,OCS,DNS
Note. Is it just me or are we doing more races every regatta - does this mean we will be doing 15 races by Turangi?
Do the number of race winners reflect the increasingly competitive nature of the class? - 3 In Auckland, 4 in Opua and 5 in Whangarei
Opua puts on a dress rehearsal for Nationals
The brave souls that travelled north with a frightening forecast got a little bit of every at Opua - the location for the 2011 Appleton Estate National Championships to be held as part of Bay Week.
At this point I will have to make a few stories up about the racing - as the Editor was missing in action for the regatta due to crew trouble in the preceding week!, and details of the weekend appear to be somewhat sketchy. I am unclear at this time if it is a case of what goes on tour stays on tour, or the sponsors fine product impacting the memory. So the results will have to do the talking.
It was noted that the Nevis team, despite having the regatta in their "back yard" was missing in action. Rumours are circulating that the boat is in for major work and will be re-launched as a e5.9 mk2 model!
SLAM 1,3,1,1,1,1,4,2,2 12
Zoot 5,5,5,2,2,2,2,1,3 22
Sub 60 3,4,3,3,5,4,1,5,1 24
Cut Lunch 4,1,4,4,4,3,3,4,4 27
BRZO 2,2,2,5,3,5,5,3,5 27
Friv Fish 6,7,7,6,6,7,7,6,6 51
Lux Liner 7,6,6,7,7,6,6,7,7 52
Finally! The unbeaten streak of SLAM DUNK ended at 2010 Auckland Champs
The seemingly unbeatable Cam Horne and the SLAM DUNK team have finally had their domination of the Elliott 5.9 fleet stretching back to the Nationals in 2009 ended when they finished second in the Appletons Estate 2010 Auckland Championships hosted by Buckland Beach Yacht Club.
Voodoo the perennial bridesmaid in 2009 and again in the 2010 Nationals dominated the 8 race regatta, winning 6 of the 8 races and finishing narrowly second in the remaining two. Sailed over two days on the 8/9th May in beautiful sailing conditions of 10-16kts N-NE and flat seas between Browns Island and Rangitoto, Voodoo excelling in similar conditions that won them the 2008 Auckland Champs in a clean sweep- once again showed an edge of pace in close short course racing to lead the fleet home.
After a pleasant two sail reach out to the course on Saturday Morning - racing got underway with an ominous forecast for gales that never eventuated. Instead in very stable conditions from 12-16knts 5 races were held in conjunction with the SR26 Nationals. Voodoo dominated the day with 4 wins and one second to BRZO, but only after several close battles including pipping SLAM on the line in one race. In the rest of the fleet Sub showed glimpses of form, as did the charter crew of the Miranda Powrie skippered Gobblit. Close racing was also being had by the two new crews in the fleet of Frivilous Fish and Rapido.
With 3 races for the Sunday, Voodoo wrapped it up by winning the first of the day, then got pipped on the line by SLAM in the second which confirmed SLAM for second overall in slightly lighter conditions of around 10-12knts.
Many thanks to the race team at bucks (and the very obliging tow they provided to get us out to the course on time on Sunday!) for a well run regatta.
Focus now shifts to the Opua regatta on 19/20 June. Rumour has it the refurbished rocketship Nevis will be making its reappearance in the hands of the locals (ex Viper team). As Viper hasn't sold then presumably its available for Charter - so contact Pete Warren!
See you all there!
A case of Deja Vu for the 2010 nationals?
The Elliott 5.9 2010 nationals was hosted by the RAYC Orakei Auckland from 4-6 March. In a replay of the 2009 Nationals it all came done to the 12th and last race, with SLAM winning the race with Voodoo second - once again meant that Cam Horne and the team from SLAM retained their National title by 1 point from Simon Manning and the Voodoo team.
While the end points result was the same as 2009, getting there was completely different for 2010. Over the 3 days the fleet experienced a range of conditions not predicted in the forecast - starting with strong 20+ knot southwesteries on day one, moderate shifty southerlies on day two, and light to perfect 12knt everything from Sou West to East on day 3!The first day was being dominated by SLAM, when in race 3 a broach near the finish in what would have been a 2nd place had them end up outside the finish line and unable to get their kite down, and were unable to recover it and had to retire for the day. This meant the super consistent Peter Burling and the Icebreaker team was leading after day 1. SLAM continued to dominate proceedings in day 2, with IceBreaker, BRZO, Voodoo and Sub60 also featuring at times. But with only 1 drop counting by the end of day 2 Icebreaker led with SLAM and Voodoo tied on points for second.
So going into the last day it was all on - after a small delay the 9th race was started in light SW conditions with SLAM leading around the top mark, the breeze completely failed and then swung through 180 degrees at times the fleet was becalmed with SLAM managing to wriggle clear and finish a shortened race, when enough breeze arrived from the east to get the rest of the fleet home it reshuffled the fleet standings in what appeared to dent the Icebreaker title hopes and put paid to Voodoos.
Race 10 was sailed in approx 8 knot easterly and from before the starting gun Icebreaker hunted SLAM and match raced him the entire race driving them further and further back -to the extent that they were a leg behind the race winner Voodoo. As the time limit expired both SLAM and Icebreaker scored DNF's - now meaning that SLAM would be forced to carry at least 1 DNF, and possibly 2 if as looked likely the entire series could not be completed. So Icebreaker now led the series from Voodoo.
By race 11 the breeze had built to 10-12 knots, Voodoo got away in good shape from the start while Icebreaker was back in the pack. Voodoo led around every mark chased by SLAM with Icebreaker getting back to 4th. With the boats finishing 20 minutes before the cut off before the last race could be started the series lead had shuffled again. With only the one drop being counted Voodoo led from Icebreaker with SLAM still counting 2 DNF's.
The last race was set off by Paddy the class OOD without any on board mutinies - and it was all on. SLAM got away to lead, but both Voodoo and Icebreaker chasing hard. But SLAM kept them both at bay, leading round every mark by a couple of boat lengths. With SLAM winning the last race and having the largest benefit of the second drop coming into effect - when the scores were added up ashore SLAM had retained their National title - in an impressive display of sailing winning even including in their final score a DNF result.
Many thanks to the class sponsor Appletons Rum - who provided an excellent and informative Rum tasting evening, and RAYC for hosting the event and Paddy for running another excellent regatta.
The next regatta and the 1st of the 2010 Appletons Estate series will be the Auckland champs hosted at BBYC.
Elliott 5.9 Class continues long association with Appleton Estate Rum in 2010
The Elliott 5.9 Class Association is delighted to announce the continuation of it's long-standing association with Appleton Estate Rum.
For 2010, Appleton Estate will continue to provide sponsorship for the class National Championship and the successful North Island Travellers Series that takes in several regattas in venues ranging from the Bay of Islands to Turangi each year.
Upcoming regattas include the 2010 Appleton Estate National Championship for the Elliott 5.9 class to be sailed at Royal Akarana Yacht Club from March 3 to 6, 2010 and the Auckland Championship a few weeks later, which is the first event in the 2010 Appleton Estate Travellers Series.
Offering close racing and great social events built around the North Island regatta circuit, the Elliott 5.9 class is the perfect 3-person syndicate boat. The class is relatively low maintenance and is sailed by a crew of 3. No rail meat - everyone has a job!
Used boats range from $9,000 to $25,000. Fleets exist in Opua, Whangarei, Auckland, Tauranga and Plimmerton in the North Island, as well as Queenstown and Christchurch in the South Island.
For enquiries about the Elliott 5.9 class, please click on Contacts.5.9 nationals 4-6 March
The countdown is on to the 2010 National Championships hosted by RAYC and sponsored by Appleton Estate Rum. Boats are available for charter if anyone is interested - please see crew.org for details.
Traveller series regatta Turangi - and North Island Champs November 2009
The 5.9 class headed to Turangi in late November for the last regatta in the 2009 Appletons Traveller Series and the North Island champs. SLAM continued their dominant form for the year remaining unbeaten and securing the North Island and Appletons Traveller Series titles - the first time in several years that one boat has held the trifecta (including National Champs). The results from the small but quality fleet f were:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Total
SLAM
1
3
1
3
1
3
2
2
13
Zoot Allures
2
1
2
4
5
7
1
1
16
Voodoo
5
2
3
1
2
1
3
OCS
17
Yank Wing & Ballcock
3
4
6
2
3
2
4
3
21
Sub 60
7
7
4
5
4
6
6
5
37
Viper
4
5
5
6
7
5
8
OCS
40
Cut Lunch
6
6
7
DNF6
4
5
6
40
Slippery Slope
8 8 8 7 8 8 7 4 50
The next 5.9 class regatta will be the 2010 Nationals hosted by the Royal Akarana Yacht Club in March. There is some interest in the class doing the BMW regatta - so anyone interested please get in contact and we will see if there is enough to make a fleet and a separate start.
Traveller series regatta Tauranga September 2009
The 5.9 class headed to Tauranga in early September and was part of the Trailer Yacht North Island regatta for the New Zealand Trailer Yacht Association hosted by the Tauranga Boating Club.
The forecast was for light North Easterlies and Saturday arrived with flat calm and the usual "light" tidal flow that accompanies sailing in the Tauranga inner harbour. With slack tide not until 2.30pm the fleet headed out (read paddled, towed etc) towards the matakana side of the harbour due to expected shipping in the port.
The races that followed became a bit of a blur (although that may be contributable to the bbq social and rugby that night), but the OOD did a fine job in a breeze that moved about 30 degrees over the course of the day and topped out at about 10knots to get away 6 races. As always in that amount of breeze the fleet racing was exceptionally tight, particularly if just behind the leader. With no bottom gate the first round the bottom mark typically got control of the favoured side and with the added bonus of tidal help, and in a few of the race managed to build a healthy lead - but it was no guarantee of a sure thing as at least in a couple of races the leader got done late in the race by a late shift. Boats to the fore throughout the day were the ultra consistent series leader SLAM, the rocket ship Zoot, and the Voodoo team. BRZO was one of the unlucky ones, having sailed away from the fleet on race 3, were left stuck on what had been the favoured side of the course down the last run, only to get done by the other side. The day finished with Voodoo dusting of the cobwebs and getting more consistent in the afternoon to lead SLAM by a point heading to the BBQ.
Sunday started even quieter than the Saturday and there was a delay while the OOD waited for the breeze to settle down, various 5.9 did scenic tours of the harbour courtesy of the fast flowing tide. The time wasted wasted however as Jocko was able to share his wisdom on the merits of the All Black team which had been rounded trounced by the Boks the night before. When racing did finally get away he obviously hadn't quite calmed down as the Yank Wig and Ballcock were OCS, taking voodoo with them, so with time running out it was an all or nothing battle on the last race for SLAM and Zoot. SLAM was deep for most of the race but saved the best to last down the last run to keep their weekend with nothing worse than a 3rd and another regatta win for the season.
Thanks to the TBC for a well run and friendly regatta - there is talk of making it an annual event -and the 5.9 class enjoyed being with the wider trailer yacht community.
Its now all on for the North Islands in Turangi to see who can break the SLAM dominance of the season.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Total
SLAM
1
2
3
1
3
3
1
3
14
Zoot Allures
5
1
6
2
2
2
4
2
18
Voodoo
3
6
1
3
1
1
OCS
6
21
BRZO
4
5
2
5
4
4
2
1
22
Spurt
6
3
4
4
6
93
8
34
Erotic
2
7
5
6
96
6
4
36
Yank Wig & ballcock
7
4
8
85
5
OCS
7
43
Elliot Goblit 9 8 7 7 8 7 OCS 5 49
Viper
8
9
DNF
DNS
7
8
5
9
55
Traveller series regatta Opua 2009
Good to see some new faces for the latest regatta in the traveller series held in Opua over the weekend of 17/18 July, and the absence of some of the regular boats didn’t diminish the competitiveness and good fun we have come to expect from the class.
The forecasted for the weekend was for fresh westerlies and clear skies, and that is pretty much what we got which provided for some great yachting between Russell and Pihia.
Day 1 started in solid 15 knots and steadily built throughout the day causing a skippers vote after 3 races whether to continue as it was getting a but marginal, however the majority were keen to continue pounding their ever ageing bodies….. By the end of the race wind speeds were consistently in the mid 20’s and gusts up into the 30’s. A good effort to only see 2 DNF’s for the entire day, rumour has it Roughy was sick of swimming after the Animal Crackers (sailed by Rob Ward of Hobo fame) having 2 swims in race 4 (apparently the first time ever he has ever swam off a 5.9) (well he obviously enjoyed it if he went back in again - ED)
After a few medicinal refreshments at the club and a trip to the local pub to watch the mighty All Blacks beat up Australia in the Tri Nations, an early night was had by most (very unusual in my experience for his class, we must all be getting a bit old and soft!!!)
Day 2 dawned fine and clear with little wind (a relief for many bruised and battered bodies) but it always looks like it would build as forecasted. By the start of the first race of the day we had 8-10 knots and by the end it was back in the teens. Although it continued to build all day it didn’t ever get out of control like Saturday. I did however ask at 1 point while sailing downwind in a pretty strong puff “How are we going??” the reply “Pretty good, there are only 2 others sailing – the rest are lying on their sides….”
The lighter breeze brought the fleet back closer together making for some exiting racing. BRZO continued on from Saturday winning all 4 races to take control of the regatta. Sub 60 sailing consistently in the top few secured 2nd and the mover of the day was a well sailed Elliott Goblet edging ahead of Animal Crackers for 3rd.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Total
BRZO
11
1
1
1
1
1
1
7
Sub 60
22
2
2
2
4
3
2
15
Elliott Goblet
5
65
4
3
2
2
5
26
Animal Crackers
3
4
3
DNF5
3
5
3
26
Viper
6
3
7
6
4
84
4
34
Elliott Ness
4
5
4
3
66
6
6
34
Cut Lunch
7
8
6
DNF7
5
7
7
47
Slippery Slope
87
8
5
8
7
8
8
51
A big thank you to Peter Warren for getting the regatta off the ground. And also Chris Hornell and the Opua Cruising Club for putting on such a well run event and making us feel very welcome in their club, let’s hope it becomes a regular event on the 5.9 calendar.
The next regatta in the series is in Tauranga on the 12/13 September hope to see you all there.Nathan - BRZO
13/05/2009 SLAM DUNK'd again! Auckland Championships
Slam Dunk with Cam Horne, Graeme Sutherland & Derek Scott have won the Auckland Elliott 5.9 Champs hosted at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club sailed over the weekend of 9th-10th May. Continuing on from their stellar recent form of the North Island and National Championship wins - SLAM DUNk continues to be a class above.
The regatta had a variety of conditions from 8 - 22 Knots and sunshine, to heavy rain over the weekend.
Slam Dunk sailed a very consistent regatta with 1,3,1,1,1,1,2,4. Second Place went to the ever consistent Voodoo with a ring in Craig Coloum steering in Simon's absence. Third went to Sub 60 with sparky Stu Clarke and a new crew.
Saturday saw the regatta start off with some close racing in race 1 with the first 6 finishing very closely. Race 2 saw more close racing right from the start, BRZO started but then had two pull out with a broken forestay which ended their day. During the race one of the many mini wind and rain fronts came thru seeing a few broaches and chinese gybes(aye Cam!) with Voodoo taking victory - one of the few Slam Dunk didn't win. Sub 60 was 2nd, Slam 3rd and Erotic 4th. Race 3 saw another rain squall come thru with over 20 knots out of the start making for some exciting sailing, Erotic lost a full length batten in their main seeing them pull out and head for the barn to see if they had a spare. Slam 1st, Voodoo 2nd and Sub 60 3rd and the ever there Viper coming in 4th. Race 4 was again close with a more consistent breeze saw close racing with the lead changing at every mark rounding, Slam 1st Sub 60 2nd Voodoo 3rd Yank 4th. Race 5 saw another squall come thru at the start for some more fun sailing straight out of the blocks, with Erotic making it out for the last race of the day with their spare main on, close racing again with broaches and chinese gybes around the place again. Sub 60 rolled into a exciting chinese after impeded by a broaching voodoo, loosing Stu the helmsman over the side. While he practiced impersonating a floating log, Sub and Voodoo attempted to get back to him in trying conditions. With the race extended for a up wind finish and closer to enticing bar at RAYC, saw further carnage with Viper breaking their boom just a 100 odd meters from the line leaving them to fall back to 6th and Voodoo getting up to a creditable 3rd after their actions earlier in the race. Slam 1st Yank 2nd.
Sunday saw lighter breeze from the NW
Race 6 Saw only 4 boats make the start on time with Viper back out with BRZO's spare boom and BRZO back out with a repaired forestay - Erotic and Voodoo just made the 5 minute cut off and the rest of the fleet had to sit it out.The race wasn't overly exciting with the breeze swinging thru over 90 degrees causing the first half of the race to be a precession reaching to and from top mark, a new top mark was laid for second beat but race was already pretty much a forgone conclusion with Slam 1st BRZO 2nd Sub60 3rd.
Race 7 The Breeze settled in the SW once again saw close racing around course with lead changing regularly, BRZO went from 6th to a comfortable lead with a big shift in the bottom right and finished comfortably ahead of Slam 2nd Erotic 3rd and Voodoo 4th.
Race 8 Saw a shifty SW again provide close racing with lead changes thru out race with shifts in the left and right. (speaking from experience the middle was not the place to be as we were being done on both sides - #Ed), Erotic and Sub 60 picked the last shift of the day which was a massive lefty to finish 1st and 2nd respectively with BRZO coming in 3rd and Slam with their worst race of the regatta in 4th.
Huge Thanks to Tash and the RAYC for a great fun regatta.
Come on the rest of you - get yourselves sorted, and get to the next regatta on July 18th and 19th up north, and lets see if we can get a big fleet attending.
15/03/2009 SLAM DUNK are the 2009 National Champions 2009 National Champs 12-14th March
In what has been typical of the highly competitive 5.9 National championships over the last 5 years, this years National title was decided on the last wave of the last run of the last race - with victory going to SLAM DUNK skippered by Cam Horne. In 3 days of excellent sailing in conditions ranging from 5knts to 30knt guts and a big chop, 12 races were held off Marsden Cove contested by a highly competitive fleet of 13 boats.
The regatta hosted by the Onerahi Yacht Club but run out of the excellent facilities at Marsden Cove, included several land based social activities, great scenery, and a well organised regatta with good courses set by the fleet Race Office Paddy.
On day one in challenging SW conditions of around 15-22knts and the occasional squall touching 30knt but a shifting breeze and in the afternoon steep waves against the tide, provided some brilliant downwind conditions for the fleet and trying racing. The heavies on Voodoo dominated the day with 4,1,1,1 placings, but subsequently a DSQ in race 4 put a dent in the day and ultimately the championship hopes. Others to feature were the renovated BRZO (although this hasn't extended to a new paint job just yet!) and the ever consistent SLAM - who was handed the win in the last race as BRZO and Voodoo got up close and personal.
On day 2 it was more of the same with a tad more southerly in the breeze, a bit lighter between 12-20 knots but some massive shifts to give everyone a chance at glory and a very steep chop. The Voodoo boys continuing on from the previous day in conditions to their liking put out a 1,1,1,2 day, but equally impressive was the well sailed SLAM always getting back into hunt with a 2,2,2,1 day.
On day 3 - the decider, the forecast was for 25knt easterlies but the tow out was in flat calm conditions and the first race got underway in 5knts and a patchy breeze going anywhere from Se to E. The locals were immediately to the fore and Zoot Allures and Hobo The Butcher stand outs. Voodoo had a couple of bad ones -so the regatta was getting tight. In the 3rd of the day in a building breeze of 12knts Voodoo lead for most of the race - getting run down by Erotic on the last run. So to the last - Voodoo got to the lead just ahead of SLAM, as the two boats chased by Viper got a break on fleet. Voodoo led by 1.5 boat lengths at the top mark for the last time and set of down the run - in 12knts and surfing waves SLAM slowly edged closer gybing right on top of Voodoo in the run for the line. Side by side each boat tried to eek out a bow on the waves - eventually 3 boat lengths from the line SLAM with better technique got the one that counted -and surfed through for the win and the National title.
Congratulations to Cam, Glen and Graham as the 2009 National champions. After being so close for the last 4 years - the team sailed brilliantly in what has always been a very competitive fleet and this year the standard was higher again. SLAM is the 4th boat to win a Nationals in the 5.9's in the last 4 years - proving how difficult it is to win in what could be considered to be New Zealands most competitive one design fleet.
Final Results
Boat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Points
Place
Slam Dunk
(8)
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
3
5
(6)
1
21
1
VooDoo
4
1
1
(dsq)
1
1
1
2
(8)
8
2
2
23
2
Brzo
1
3
6
2
(7)
3
5
4
4
(7)
4
5
37
3
Zoot Allures
2
(10)
7
3
9
6
(10)
3
1
1
3
6
41
4
Erotic
(9)
5
4
4
6
(7)
3
5
5
3
1
7
43
5
Viper
(10)
7
3
9
8
4
7
8
(10)
2
5
3
56
6
Hobo the Butcher
(11)
8
5
7
5
9
8
9
2
4
(10)
4
61
7
Slippery Slope
7
4
(10)
5
10
5
6
6
(12)
9
7
8
67
8
Yank Wig & Ballcock
3
9
8
10
3
(11)
4
7
9
(11)
9
10
72
9
Spurt
6
(11)
9
(11)
4
8
11
10
6
10
8
9
81
10
Cutlunch
(12)
12
(13)
6
11
12
9
12
11
6
11
12
102
11
Animal Crackers
5
6
12
(dns)
(ocs)
dns
dns
dns
7
12
13
11
108
12
Frivolous fish
(13)
(13)
11
8
12
10
12
11
13
13
12
13
115
13
Roll on the 2009 Traveller Series - photos from the Nats to be posted shortly.
2008 .....
24/11/2008 Slam Dunked in Turangi 2008 North Island Champs 22-23rd November
A small but high quality fleet of E5.9's got given a sailing lesson by the crew of SLAM DUNK in the North Island championships and last regatta in the 2008 Appleton Rum traveller series. sailed in Turangi. Despite ominous forecasts the Saturday turned warm and sunny with 5 races completed in light N/NE breezes of 4 to 8knts. On the Sunday it was more of the same albiet overcast and N/NE breeze from 7 to 11knts. In typical Turangi fashion the breeze was often unstable with some large shifts and patches of breeze, but the right hand side dominating the beats. On the trickier first day, SLAM was almost untouchable winning all but one race, where boat speed through the fleet was similar with SLAM and SPURT having a small but noticeable edge down hill - but the stand out feature was the slick crew work and excellent positioning by SLAM to work to the front and stay there. On day 2 it was more of the same with SLAM to the fore, with improvements from VOODOO and BALLCOCK (the boat has had so many name changes that its just easier to call it the Plumber - Ed) making the racing very tight and even, where getting to the first mark in good shape was the key. In the end it was all about the scrap for second with consistency being the order for the day. VOODOO got up for second in the regatta and overcoming the hex of the previous year took out the overall Appleton Estate Traveller series for 2008 with regatta placings of 1,3,1,2.
Overall Results of the 2008 Turangi North Island Championships
1st SLAM DUNK
2nd VOODOO
3rd ZOOT ALLURES
4th EROTIC
5th SPURT
6th HOBO THE BUTCHER
7th VIPER
8th RAGGS, WIG and BALLCOCK
Thanks again to the hospitality of the Creel Motor Lodge - but can they make sure that SKY SPORT 1 is in ALL rooms next year! Good to see Spaggs make a star appearance - and after the hangover had resided on day 2 the boys were on fire - which is more than can be said for his old boat which started the full rebuild process months out and still didnt get finished on time! Big ups to the Kiwi league team - we have to admit we all bailed after 18 minutes when a hiding looked in the offing - oh ye of little faith!
Note there is talk on either going North to do Bay Of Islands week - or a weekend regatta in the 2009 Nationals venue of Marsden Cove early next year to fill the gap before the Nationals.