CLICK HERE To be added to our mailing list.
by Fendall Halliburton
A weekend with little wind was the promise and lots of sunshine.
Friday
On Friday Okahu Bay was glassy and the Waitemata not much better. 1500hrs was our agreed drop dead time and urged on by Harry Handley the now heavily caffine soaked fleet took to the water. Bean Rock reported an encouraging 7 knots from the north and racing got underway in winds peaking at 9 knots. Sailing between Tamaki Drive and North Head was very colourfull. Nigel Williams and Geoff Faulkner showed the form to be expected of the title defender to be a clear overnight leader. We were gratefull to have the first 2 races on the board.
Saturday,
Day two, began with little promise of wind but the fleet was launched at 1330 hrs as the wind built to 7 knots from the South. Sailing again between North Head and Tamaki Drive Harry Handley opened the scoring with a very coolly judged finish to pip Nigel Williams in the final 200 metres of race three.
The breeze built to a very satisfying 12 knots and 4 races were completed before the fleet begged for mery and were sent ashore.
Nigel Williams had built a small lead but Andrew Springford and Conrad Caunce had settled to the task at hand and were a very well placed second. In third overnight Harry Handley and Hayden Whitburn had everything to play for.
Sunday
Was a new day and Easterlies were expected. At 1230 hrs the breeze had built to the magic 7 knots and the fleet launched.
For the Hobie 16 fleet this was a full length regatta completed in perfect summer conditions before an audience on Tamaki Drive. For the RAYC race management team it was a lot of fun to work with a fleet committed to enjoying themselves.
Nigel Williams with Geoff Faulkner successfully defended his title. Five different crews won races. The fleet was notable for the many families represented who did not sail on the same boat. A really sensible idea I think all families would agree with at times.
