Tight Elliott 5.9 Southern Circuit battle resumes at Nelson Regatta Week

The Nautilus Braids Elliott 5.9 Southern Circuit rolls on this weekend as the fleet heads to Nelson, where Tasman Bay Cruising Club will host Round 2 as part of the always-popular Nelson Regatta Week on 17–18 January.

Seven Elliott 5.9s are confirmed for the start line, and expectations are high following an exceptionally tight opening round in Lyttelton last November. Margins were fine throughout that regatta, setting the tone for what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested Southern Circuit campaign.

Since Lyttelton, there has been no shortage of speculation around the fleet. Some crews are rumoured to have spent the summer logging long hours on the water, while others have been busy ashore, fine-tuning rigs and setups in search of that crucial extra knot of boat speed. With the standings so close, even small gains could prove decisive.

Much of the attention will again fall on the rivalry between Boat 1 and Eagle, which dominated the narrative at the opening round. Few would be surprised to see that battle resume in Nelson, but the chasing pack is well within striking distance and poised to capitalise on any slip-ups at the front.

Tekno is one of the standout challengers to watch. Currently sitting third overall, the team arrives in Nelson with confidence after a strong showing across last season’s Southern Circuit. Their consistency has continued into the current campaign, marking them as a genuine podium contender this weekend.

Retro, fourth overall, is another proven performer with the pace to challenge at the sharp end. With the leaderboard finely balanced, a solid regatta in Nelson could quickly see them jump into the top three. Erotic also showed promising form during the second day of Round 1, frequently pushing close to podium positions and underlining their status as a serious threat within the fleet.

Nelson is widely regarded as one of the South Island’s premier sailing venues, and crews will be hoping the region delivers its trademark sea breezes for fast, high-intensity racing. Off the water, Nelson Regatta Week’s renowned social scene offers a welcome backdrop to the competition.

With just one further Southern Circuit round remaining in February before the South Island Championship and March’s national championships in Maraetai, Round 2 in Nelson looms as a pivotal moment in the battle for the Southern Circuit trophy.

Photo / Three 21 Photography