Issue date
The first weekend of the new Covid Protection Framework (traffic light system) was ushered in with some great racing and hospitality at the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club earlier this month.
About 80 competitors converged on Picton for the Marlborough Nelson Regional Championships, South Island Zephyr South Island Championships and Flying Dutchman South Island Championships.
The Orange framework came into action one day before the start of the regatta and the club responded swiftly to stage a fully vaccinated event that essentially allowed for a 'normal' regatta.
A gate was set up at the entry to the Shelley Beach Reserve and all competitors, officials, volunteers, and spectators were MVP scanned and issued with an event armband.
"The process went very, very well and 99.9 percent of people were really positive about the experience and ability to continue unrestricted with an event and sport they love," a club spokesperson said.
Six races were competed in varying conditions, with the rain just holding off until after packdown on the Sunday
Tim Pitcaithly of the Nelson Yacht Club took out the ILCA6 (Laser Radial) by one point from local Emily Overend.
The Zephyr Class saw 24 entries and Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club sailor Mike Hood won by a convincing 12 points from fellow Wellington sailor James Macrae. You can watch a video of the regatta below.
Full results can be found here.
The 2022 Regional Championships are scheduled to be held at Nelson Yacht Club.
