Issue date
The four Yachting New Zealand regional development managers take a look at what has been happening in their areas and urge clubs to add their events to the YNZ regatta calendar.
This is the last Briefings for 2022 and the Regional Development Managers would like to wish all club members a very Merry Christmas. It’s been nice to have a more settled year and be able to sail and compete at regattas around the country.
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Waikato Yacht Squadron - Ponui Regatta
Rain didn't dampen the spirits of 12 trailer yacht crews to turn out for the annual Ponui Regatta hosted by the Waikato Yacht Squadron.
A good time was had by all during the race which circumnavigates Ponui Island, with a range of conditions to keep sailors on their toes. A tricky beat with fickle winds was followed by an enjoyable kite ride to the finish, as the breeze filled in to 10-12 knots.
Commodore James Hepburn with his son Nick onboard Ghost Train were first across the line, followed by Philip Rayner on Escargot and Hugh Beecroft on E Type 2. As with most Waikato Yacht Squadron races, the boats rafted up in McCallum Bay after the race for an informal prizegiving and debrief over a few drinks.
Kohimarama Yacht Club and Murrays Bay Yacht Club - P Class Tanner Cup Trials
The P-Class fleet is alive and well with strong turnouts for the recent Tanner Cup trials at two Auckland clubs. Twenty-two sailors from South of the Bridge and 22 from North of the Bridge competed in the hotly contested trials last weekend at Kohimarama Yacht Club & Murrays Bay Sailing Club respectively. Conditions were testing and particularly wet on day two. But the smiles shone through, and some great racing was had at both venues.
Well done to the North Harbour representatives Will Mason (WBC), Nathan Soper (MBSC), Blake McKinnon (MBSC), Arran Begic (MBSC) & Ashton Cooke (WBC).
Congratulations also to the Auckland representatives Oli Stone (KYC), Nelsen Meacham (WBC), Bella Jenkins (KYC), Callum Hyde (WBC), Keaton Lay (RAYC) and Callum Noyer (WBC).
The Tanner Cup (Inter-provincial) and the Tauranga Cup will be raced at the Zhik P Class Nationals at Plimmerton Boating Club from 3-8 January 2023.
North Harbour trial results - Click here. Auckland trial results - Click here.
Howick Sailing Club - A Class, Paper Tiger and Weta Auckland Championships
The A Class, Paper Tiger & Weta did battle last weekend at Howick Sailing Club for their respective Auckland Championships.
Good wind and a relatively calm spot between weather fronts showcased fairly typical Howick weather, with a bit of rain also in the mix. Seven races were completed over the weekend with some very close racing, especially in the Weta class with Bryan Roberts narrowly beating his fellow Torbay Sailing Club member, Terry Bailey on countback. John Kennett from Whangarei Cruising Club won the A Class fleet with Derek Scoot from Torbay Sailing Club taking out the win in the Paper Tigers.
There was great support from HSC volunteers, including the juniors who helped with trolleys and the fantastic race management team. Special thanks to Richard Lane, the resident National Race Officer for managing the weekend on the water.
Full results can be found here:
Cambridge Yacht Club - Starling Match Racing Waikato Championship
Eight sailors from across Cambridge and Hamilton turned out for the Waikato Starling Match Racing Championships over the weekend.
Two round robins were completed on Saturday with semis and finals sailed on Sunday amidst challenging weather conditions. Nice northerlies greeted the fleet for the most part, but heavy rain and lightning on the Saturday afternoon was enough to call the sailors off the water early.
Well done to all of the sailors who competed, and Ollie Plant who played a great tactical game to win the championship. Ollie will now represent the Waikato at the Match Racing Nationals hosted at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in January next year.
Credit must go to Sheridan for putting the match racing regatta together in her first foray as the event organiser. She also made the most of her national umpire qualifications to keep sailors on the ball.
Final placings:
- 1st - Ollie Plant
- 2nd - Eoghan Harris
- 3rd - Ben Williams
- 4th - Carly Terelmes
Ngaroto Sailing Club - Hansa 303 Nationals
The Hansa 303 Nationals were sailed in both doubles and singles classes in Te Awamutu over the weekend. A good fleet of 14 singles and 5 doubles turned out to enjoy a variety of conditions over three days at Ngaroto Sailing Club.
Well done to Wellington sailors Darrell Smith and Graham Hook for coming first and second in the singles, followed by Pauline Chamberlain from Tauranga in third.
In the doubles it was Stuart Nicols and Darrell Smith taking the win with Toby Ireland and Graham Hook second and Rhonda Ritchie / Chris Cargill from Tauranga third. The Kiwi cup was contested by the doubles this year and was won by Stuart Nicols and Darrell Smith.
It has been heartening to see the resurgence in Sailability groups across the country after much covid-related disruptions over the last few years. We now look forward to the North Island regatta in Wellington in early March, and the Hansa Liberty Nationals in Auckland in late March.
Plimmerton Boating Club - Upcoming Tanner and Tauranga Cup
Plimmerton Boating Club will host the Tanner and Tauranga cup (Zhik P Class Nationals) early in 2023, following on from the North Islands the club successfully hosted last year. The P Class has had a long history in the Wellington region, with the trials attracting 10 sailors. No doubt there will be several old-time P-Class sailors back for a look!
The Plimmerton Boating Club has seen a resurgence in dinghy fleets this season, and will also play host to the Finn North Islands and Nationals in February 2023.
Macandrew Bay Boating Club - Open Skiff, Feva and Sunburst South Island Championships
Sailors came from as far as Nelson and Queenstown came to Dunedin for the South Island Championships hosted by Macandrew Bay Boating Club from 3-4 December.
Fleets included Open Skiffs, Feva and Sunbursts, and a six-race series was sailed under willing wind conditions.
Commodore Ross Whitburn said it was great event and the next step in the clubs strategic direction, being the first event of significance for many years.
The Club is also on the pathway towards obtaining its MOSS certification and exemptions as well being the first RŪNĀ hub in the Otago Southland Region. The club has just undertaken a refurbishment of the club rooms, in the process of getting a Bar license as well as purchasing new support boats, fevas, Quests and Open skiff.
Christchurch Yacht Club - Takamatua Club Camp and 2022 Graham Mander Regatta
Takamatua Club Camp
This year many of the clubs juniors joined the live in camp at Takamatua. The live-in experience gives young club members a fun atmosphere to participate in coaching and skills clinics, while also developing a passion for the water. A big effort was put in by the clubs' young leaders and appreciated by all its members.
Graham Mander Regatta
Rounding off a busy month for Christchurch Yacht Club, the Graham Mander Regatta was sailed with a full 6-race series completed. Three fleets were contesting their respective championships, with 36 boats overall and a solid turn out to enjoy an amazing meal at prize giving. Big thanks to CYC's awesome catering team, Chris and Kaye.
In the P Class, they were competing for their Canterbury and South Island Champs. This was a down to the wire event, with the top two boats equal on points, each with three firsts and three seconds - it was decided on the winner of the final race!
1st - Cadence Grindley-Jones (WSC) / 2nd - Rachel Croft (NPCL) / 3rd - Benji French (CYC)
The ILCA Fleet was competing for their Canterbury Champs:
ILCA 7 (Full Rig)
1st - Kaspian Evatt (CBYC) / 2nd - Richard Ineson (CYC) / 3rd - Sean Thomson (CYC)
ILCA 6 (Radial Rig)
1st - Miro Luxford (CBYC) / 2nd - George Wills (MPYC) / 3rd - Sam Nicholl (CBYC)
A team of four Green Fleet Optis came over from the Naval Point Club to compete in the regatta, and all performed really well - a testament to their coaches and parents.
Vauxhaull Yacht Club - South Island ILCA Championships
Ideal racing conditions greeted the fleet of 26 ILCA sailors who travelled to Dunedin for the South Island ILCA Championship hosted by Vauxhaull Yacht Club. Competitors came from as far as Pupuke Yacht Club in the north to Whakatipu Yacht Club in the South to participate in the 7 race series.
Well done to Daryl Parkes of Bluff Yacht Club for taking out the ILCA 7 title, and Jenny Armstrong of the Otago Yacht Club for taking out the ILCA 6 title.
Full results can be found on the clubs facebook page here.
Nelson Yacht Club - South Island Championships / Nelson Marlborough Championships
Record numbers attended the South Island and Marlborough Championships, with sailors from as far as Auckland and Christchurch converging at Nelson Yacht Club.
An impressive 106 sailors turned out across 15 classes, with the Zephyr fleet seeing a particularly strong showing of some 30 sailors.
Racing was spread over two courses, with the juniors sailing close in and the seniors heading out further into the Tasman Bay.
The wind as forecast came in 20 knots at times, and sailors enjoyed the downwind surfs.
As always events like this take a mammoth amount of organizing, especially with so many classes. Thanks must go to all the volunteers, the volunteers from QCYC and especially to Tim as convener and Geoff as Principal Race officer. It was great to see the NYC Manager after putting in countless hours organizing the event being able to jump into a Europe, complete all the races and taking out the South Island Europe Championship.
Pigeon Bay Boating Club
Pigeon Bay Boating Club was the place to be over 10-11 December with a great turn out for the clubs' Christmas regatta. Eighteen boats from a spread of classes included Noelex 22’s, Lasers, Finns, Weta’s, PT’s, and Hobie 16’s.
Perfect weather was complemented with great competition, and there was a definite sense of camaraderie over the delicious Christmas dinner and party.
Host and decorator Jackie Ball dressed the club to perfection, and also made fabulous cocktails while Nikki Luisetti prepared and served dinner. Father Christmas even paid a visit with the help of his Elf, with secret santa presents to add some festive cheer.
Kerikeri Cruising Club - North Island Foiling Moth Championships 10-11 Dec 2022
Perfect sailing conditions prevailed despite a dire forecast for the Doves Bay Foiling Moth Regatta, with a steady 10-12 knots over the two days.
Racing was close, exciting and controlled by the extremely skilled race official team including Ray Haslar, Mike Quilter, Andy Sheilds and Doug France. They ran 6 races on Day 1, and 4 races day 2 in the Te Puna Inlet.
Breathtaking sailing skills were showcased across the fleet, with overall winner Mike Bullot closely followed by Mattias Coutts, with Kerikeri Cruising Clubs own Jake Pie in fourth.
We wish the sailors the very best as they load their racing machines and head to Australia for more racing. Many thanks to a great team of volunteers who made the event happen.
Devonport Yacht Club - Seatalks
See above information for the Seatalks evening tomorrow night at Devonport Yacht Club, featuring guest speaker Joey Allen.
