Issue date
The Elliott 5.9s head to Sandspit this weekend for the final round of the 2022 Traveller Series with the overall title still up for grabs.
Slam Dunk (Stu Clark) and R+R (Craig Satterthwaite) will battle for the overall title in the fifth and final round of the series.
Slam Dunk currently hold a handy 13-point advantage over R+R going into the event but a good regatta from R+R and the potential to drop a couple of higher scores means R+R are in with a real chance to retain their title.
The battle for third is even closer. Zoot Allures (Dave Cochran) hold a narrow points lead over a Shapeshifter (Brett Elliott) team that has had some good results at recent regattas and slowly been closing the gap on Zoot Allures.
A good regatta from Shapesifter will allow them to drop a couple of their higher scores and put pressure on Zoot Allures, however, Zoot Allures are unlikely to give up a podium place easily. A light-air regatta will suit the wily Dave Cochran and the three-times national champion is sure to put up a good fight.
Nevis (Brian Kent) still have a chance of jumping into the mix for a podium finish and have performed consistently this season across all conditions. They have steadily worked their way into contention after missing the first regatta and some good results this weekend will allow them to drop some of the higher scores from that first regatta.
Although much of the focus will be at the top of the fleet, there will be many other battles to be settled in the 19-boat fleet. The one-design racing has provided competitive racing and bragging rights for the season are likely to come down to the narrowest of margins.
Full results will be available online https://elliott59.weebly.com/results.html and pictures online www.facebook.com/elliott5.9
Once the Elliott 5.9 2022 Traveller Series wraps up, the South Island fleet will be assembling at Lake Aviemore for the Elliott 5.9 South Island Championships to be held over Labour Weekend. This event will also double as the first event in the three-regatta Southern Circuit.
The Elliott 5.9 2023 national championships have been confirmed for Queen Charlotte Yacht Club on March 23-25. This event is expected to attract the largest fleet of Elliott 5.9s in some time with more than 20 boats lining up and the possibility of an Australian entry also in the pipeline.
On the development front, the Elliott 5.9 Association have an Elliott 5.9 available for use by up-and-coming crew.
Full details are yet to be released but the proposal is to accept requests from a development crew who can commit to competing in the full Traveller Series.
The boat will be insured and ready to go but the successful crew will need to tow the boat to each regatta.
The class sees this as a great continuation of the place that the Elliott 5.9 has had over the years in the development of New Zealand sailors.
