2015 420 North Islands see new faces and new winners

The new face set from Opti & Starling brought exciting challenges to the fleet of eleven 420’s.

With day 1 blown out, day 2 presented five exciting races. Recent 2014/15 new pair Kerensa Jennings/Chelsea Rees (MBSC, finished 3^rd) presented thorough ‘race management and boat speed’ to provide a significant attempt to dominate the fleet. However the NZ 2014 Open Worlds 23^rd ranked pair Brittany Wornall/Emma Stenhouse (Mt Pleasant), delivered the required regatta 1,[5],1,2,2,1 consistency to break through and win the Regatta on 7 points. Emma later communicated the pleasure of the Regatta 1^st place achievement after many years of achieving 2nds & 3rds.

Recent Optimist retiree Johnathon Weston (WBC) helming for NZ 2014 Open Worlds 39th ranked crew Taylor Balogh, demonstrated mid regatta results consistency after an initial 6^th and 8^th in Race 6 finishing 2^nd overall. The Weston/Balogh pair showed a strong ability to work back through the fleet, if initial selection of course side choice failed.    

Of the three developing ladies teams Ava Mannering (OW 2014 Silver Fleet 24^th) & Lola Stoodley (4^th); Courtney & Brianna Reynolds-Smith (5^th); Emma Hyde/Annabel Cave (7^th), 1 point resided between them over night. Ava/Lola demonstrated strengths of their recent Australian 2014/15 Nationals campaign from the benefit of additional on water time, by leading the fleet in Day 2’s Race 6 of oscillating light airs, until a wind shift and shortened course finished Ava/Loa in 3^rd. Both Ava/Lola & Courtney/Brianna highlighted the importance of ‘equipment’. Ava retired in Race 5 after a pole breakage and Courtney highlighted the performance opportunity available from a newer hull & equipment purchase. The new pair of Emma Hyde helming for Annabel Cave regularly challenged Regatta the leaders, but were limited by the constraints from  ‘the development requirements’ of a new pair, influencing overall performance. Developing MBSC boys team Michael Stern/Blake Nicholson demonstrated regatta consistency 5,(7),6,5,4,5 finishing 6^th.

Aside from Results board winners, the Regatta hero’s included Henry Haslett/Jeremy Mitchell and Napier crews Hazel Mannering/Caitlin Faulknor and Nils Drewnick (GER)/Luke Dixan. All three pairs completed their goals by giving the Regatta ‘A Go’. It was fantastic sight to see Henry with Jeremy back on the water to successfully re-check progress through the goal of two races, finishing 2nd & 4th. Equally Hazel/Caitlin and Nils/Luke joined the Regatta to explore the fun opportunities available beyond Starling. They pleasantly surprised from the pleasure they received from 420 performance racing experience and fun, communicated their lack of patience for more.

The 420 presents as a performance sail craft, different to what some people know as a Teams Racing 420 used by Schools Teams Racing. The 420, a stable boat with 3 sails and a trapeze can plane upwind. The 420 is a performance sailing alternative for those 55kgs, 13-14 years of age seeking to have fun while learning about sail setting, spinnaker handling and race tactics. The global 420 Association growth initiative now permits NZ to enter 6 additional crews to 420 Open World Championships. The new under-17 age division allows an additional 3 x u17 Ladies and 3 x u17 Open Teams to join the existing entitlement of 7 Ladies and 7 Open Teams. This change allowing additional NZ Teams to attend Worlds provides a significant opportunity for any 420 Team seeking a World Championship experience. 

Hazel Mannering/Caitlin Faulknor, Emma Hyde and Luke Dixan having seen the light and communicate how much fun the 420 performance sailing experience is. They follow in Nils Drewnick’s (GER) and many young European sailors footsteps who wish to gain a strong hold of performance racing experience before they are either too heavy or age out.

The NZ 420 Schedule ahead includes: