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O'pen Skiff

Tight finish to O'pen Skiff nationals

Issue date

Tight racing was a feature of the O'pen Skiff national championships at the Napier Sailing Club, with the under-13 division in particular going down to the wire.

Only one point separated the under-13s, which went to Finn Pye. Fellow Manly Sailing Club member Kosta Gladiadis was one point behind in second with Makani Andrews of Hawaii level on points but third on countback.

A Manly sailor also took out the under-17 division with Ben Tapper finishing ahead of Jack White and Jack Callear.

A feature of the event was a wide geographical spread among the sailors and there were even eight competitors from Hawaii.

A number will have their sights on July's O'pen Skiff world championships in Sardinia. Manly Sailing Club hosted last year's world championships when more than 130 sailors took part.

Napier dished up light to moderate conditions of 4-13 knots over the three days which allowed nine races as well as a fun two-person race inside Napier Harbour which also featured the 'Bridge of Doom'.

Sir Russell Coutts has played a leading hand in promoting the class in New Zealand and was on hand for the start of the regatta. He also held a coaching session with many of the participants before racing got under way.

“These championships really allow young sailors to push themselves and have fun at the same time," he said. "The nationals have really set the scene for taking a good squad to the O’pen Skiff World Championships in Calasetta, Sardina Italy in July this year."

Results and standings from the Property Brokers O'pen Skiff national championships at the Napier Sailing Club last weekend:

Under-13 division (30 boats)

1st: Finn Pye (Manly Sailing Club) 3 1 (8) 3 3 2 6 2 (12) - 20 points
2nd: Kosta Gladiadis (Manly Sailing Club) 1 5 (9) 5 (11) 1 3 5 1 - 21 pts
3rd: Makani Andrews (Kaneohe Yacht Club/HKBC) 4 2 1 1 (14) (19) 4 3 6 - 21 pts

Under-17 division (27 boats)

1st: Ben Tapper (Manly Sailing Club) (5) 1 1 2 4 2 1 1 (6) - 12 pts
2nd: Kack White (Marakura Yacht Club) 1 (5) (3) 3 2 3 3 2 2 - 16 pts
3rd: Jack Callear (Paremata Boating Club) 4 4 2 5 3 1 (6) 5 (7) - 24 pts

Development fleet (3 boats)

1st: Jade Pedersen (Napier Sailing Club) 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 (3) (3) - 10 pts
2nd: Taane Rhynd (Point Chevalier Sailing Club) (3) 2 1 1 2 2 (3) 3 2 1 - 14 pts
3rd: Alana Bennett (Rotorua Yacht Club) 2 (3) (4 DNS) 3 3 3 2 2 1 2 - 18 pts

Full results

  • Pic: Ben Tapper won the under-17 division at the O'pen Skiff national championships in Napier. Photo: Bob Sheldrake / Napier Sailing Club.