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Andrew and Cameron Brown might have wrapped up their sixth consecutive national Sunburst title at the weekend but this one will live long in the memory.
That's because it was achieved over a period in which Wellington lived up to its reputation. Winds averaged about 28 knots on Sunday, gusting into the mid-30s, and racing was cancelled early on Monday with strong winds buffeting Wellington harbour.
"It was the windiest I have seen or sailed in for a long, long time," Andrew Brown said. "I'm pretty sore now.
"It was definitely one of those special ones because it was so demanding but it was also a lot of fun. It will be memorable for a long, long time."
The Sunburst lends itself to family sailing and it was certainly the case at the pointy end of the fleet. Andrew (father) and Cameron (son) finished three points ahead of siblings Penny and Harvey Linton with Scott (father) and Jack (son) Beavis a further seven points behind in third.
The Browns, who sail a boat named Vagrant, won their first national title six years ago when Cameron was six years old and the youngster often takes the helm. He steered the pair to the last two North Island titles but Andrew took the tiller for most of the nationals due to the wind strength.
"He was pretty excited to win this one because it was so windy," Andrew said. "A couple of years ago he wouldn't have been yachting in conditions like that."
Results from the 2019 Sunburst national championships held at the Worser bay Boating Club recently:
1st: Cameron Brown and Andrew Brown (Wakatere Boating Club) 1 1 (4) 1 2 3 - 8 points
2nd: Penny Linton and **** (Worser Bay Boating Club) 2 2 (6) 4 1 2 - 11 pts
3rd: Scott Beavis and Jack Beavis (WBC) 3 (33 RET) 1 3 5 6 - 18 pts
