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There was plenty to talk about in Christchurch last weekend during the 420 national championships, not least of all the strength of both the class and the wind.
As many as 15 boats battled it out for the top male and female spots in winds ranging from 5-35 knots, showing the depth in the class as well as the wind range these boats can sail in.
Lucas Day and Sam Scott won seven of the nine races to finish first overall and first males, five points ahead of Hugo McMullen and Tim Howse. Alex Norman and Alex Hebberd were third.
Siblings Megan and Rebecca Hume had a tight battle with Vivien Webster Chung and Kiera Sinton, eventually finishing six points ahead (and fourth overall) to claim the female title. Amelia Peel and Brianna Mitchell were third.
Day one saw the fleet sailing the upper end of the race limit, with gusts up to 30 knots and sailors using seamanship as much as racing strategy to finish the only race of the day.
A typical sea breeze built during the second day, when the race committee did well to catch up by holding four races, and sailors got a chance to switch gears on day three when an unusual north-west breeze funnelled over the hills and saw a wide range of 5-25 knots.
“We never get these conditions,” some local sailors explained.
The wind built close to 30 knots on the fourth and final day when only one race was completed.
A feature of the weekend was the barbecue held on the outside deck at the Naval Point Club Lyttelton, highlighting the friendships the 420 sailors have between Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland.
The class also elected a new president, Paul Sinton, and thanked Wayne Keen for his contributions to the class over the years. Keen will continue to support the class as a committee member.
"A big congratulations to all the sailors for completing races in such challenging conditions," Yachting New Zealand coach development manager and 420 class coach Peter Soosalu said. "It was a real showcase of the sailors as well as the 420 class and showed why the 420 is a top youth class to develop sailing skills."
A handful of sailors are expected to join the class over the winter and Yachting New Zealand will be hosting an Aon New to Youth clinic in the coming weeks for anyone looking for an introduction to the class in their own boat.
If your region is looking to host a 420 Aon New to Youth clinic and has three or more teams interested, please contact Peter Soosalu at peters@yachtingnz.org.nz. You can also register for the Aon clinics here.
Results and standings from the 420 national championships at the Naval Point Club Lyttelton:
Female
1st: Megan Hume / Rebecca Hume (Murrays Bay Sailing Club) 6 5 4 3 4 3 4 (8) 3 - 32 points
2nd: Vivien Webster Chung / Kiera Sinton (MBSC / Wakatere Boating Club) 4 4 5 7 (16 RAF) 4 3 4 7 - 38 pts
3rd: Amelia Peel / Brianna Mitchell (Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club / MBSC) (16 DNF) 12 6 10 8 7 12 13 8 - 76 pts
Male
1st: Lucas Day / Sam Scott (MBSC) 1 1 1 1 1 (2) 2 1 1 - 9 pts
2nd: Hugo McMullen / Tim Howse (MBSC / Kohimarama Yacht Club) 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 (3) 2 - 14 pts
3rd: Alex Norman / Alex Hebbard (MBSC) (16 DNF) 3 3 4 3 5 6 2 4 - 30 pts
Full results here
- Outgoing class president Wayne Keen presented Sam Scott (left) and Lucas Day, and Megan and Rebecca Hume with their trophies. Photo: NZ 420 class association.
