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Craig Satterthwaite and Richard Bearda took out the Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series after the final event, due to be held at Sandspit this weekend, was cancelled due to the ongoing lockdown in the Auckland region.
The pair, who campaigned on R+R, finished comfortably ahead of the Stu Clark-skippered Slam Dunk, with Dave Cochrane securing third in Zoot Allures.
It was a disappointing way to end what had been a highly-successful series that attracted 20 boats across the four events at Lake Rotoiti, Whitianga, Napier and Auckland. A total of 40 races were held over the four regattas and Satterthwaite and Bearda, pictured above at this year's national championships, rarely finished outside the top three despite the vast range of conditions.
The Elliott 5.9 is a one-design class and its ease of being transported means the Traveller Series can go to some great yachting locations.
There are fewer restrictions in the South Island, which meant a fleet of six boats contested the inaugural Elliott 5.9 Class South Island Championships as part of the Aviemore Classic over Labour Weekend.
Although a number of northern boats were unable to make the planned trip south due to Covid-19, the Elliott 5.9 was still the largest class at the regatta with six entries.
Retro, skippered by Carla Bennett, took out the overall title but came under pressure from Saemus Tredinnick on Magpie and Michael Wright on Rapido.
The next South Island Elliott 5.9 event is the Nelson Trailer Yacht Regatta (Jan 21-23) and there's also the Royal Port Nicholson Regatta (Feb 18-20).
The Elliott 5.9 Class Association hope to release tentative dates for the 2022 Traveller Series soon.
