Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series: Shapeshifter masters Marsden Cove thriller to claim Round 2 victory

Shapeshifter delivered a masterclass in consistency to win a fiercely contested second round of the Burnsco Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series at Marsden Cove Marina, overcoming a highly competitive 11-boat fleet in one of the closest regattas of the season.

Racing on the open waters of Bream Bay, crews were greeted by challenging light-air conditions and constantly shifting breezes on Saturday, creating a tactical contest where every decision mattered. While Sunday’s lack of wind ultimately forced organisers to abandon racing, the five races completed on the opening day provided more than enough drama to settle the standings.

With no discard available, every result counted.

The regatta produced four different race winners across five races, highlighting the depth of competition throughout the fleet. In the end, however, Shapeshifter’s ability to avoid costly mistakes proved decisive.

Fresh from claiming the Elliott 5.9 national championship earlier this year, the team showed impressive composure with a scorecard of 3, 1, 2, 3, 4. They were the only boat to finish every race inside the top four and repeatedly fought back through the fleet when under pressure, securing overall victory through consistency rather than outright dominance.

Revelry finished second overall after another strong performance. Three second-place finishes highlighted their pace, but a fifth and sixth place ultimately left them short of challenging for the win. The result nevertheless extends Revelry’s lead at the top of the overall Traveller Series standings after backing up their opening-round victory at Lake Rotoiti.

The story of the regatta belonged in part to local favourites Zoot Allures, who looked set to claim victory on home waters. After posting a second place and consecutive race wins in races three and four, they entered the final race of the day in a commanding position. However, a costly 10th-place finish in Race 5 proved decisive, dropping them to third overall despite spending much of the regatta in control.

Zoot Allures spent much of the regatta at the top of the leaderboard but finished third overall after a costly 10th place in Race 5. Photo / Elliott 5.9 Class Association

Behind the podium finishers, the battle throughout the fleet was equally intense.

Reggae Shark opened the regatta with victory in Race 1 and continued their strong form from Lake Rotoiti to finish fourth overall. Dirty Circus delivered one of the most consistent scorecards of the weekend to secure fifth, while Bloodline’s victory in the final race lifted them to sixth overall. Slam Dunk claimed seventh, highlighted by a third-place finish in the final race, while NYX rounded out the top eight.

The closest contest of the weekend came further down the standings, where just a single point separated ninth, 10th and 11th places. Razorback and Class Act finished tied on 49 points, with Razorback taking ninth on countback courtesy of a stronger final-race result. Local entry Frivolous Fish was only one point behind.

Off the water, the class once again showcased the camaraderie that has become a hallmark of Elliott 5.9 racing. Competitors gathered at the Marsden Cove Fishing Club on Friday evening before heading to the Porthouse Bar & Eatery on Saturday night, where crews packed in to watch the Super Rugby semifinals.

With both the Chiefs and Hurricanes advancing to the final, regional rivalries within the fleet have only intensified, setting the stage for plenty of banter when racing resumes.

The Burnsco Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series continues in Whitianga on 1 to 2 August as competitors look to build momentum in the race for overall honours. - with Elliott 5.9 Class Association