2010 RS:X & TECHNO Nationals - Report

A very good regatta with 16 RS:X 9.5 (Men’s Fleet) 17 RS:X 8.5 (Women’s & Youth Fleet) and 22 TECHNO sailors. We had a number of overseas competitors in each fleet including several from Europe enjoying our summer while those at home still freeze!

The weather on 3 days was beautiful for the beach goers and fishermen but very frustrating for the sailors and race management team.

Thursday was very light and variable and only one race was completed for the RS:X in pumping conditions!

Friday was the reverse!! Winds were averaging 20+ knots with the odd squirt of 30+ and the last of the easterly swells from the storm in the Pacific rolled in. This was J.P’s day but a number of the Youth sailors struggled but survived! There were breakages and gear swaps but an exhilarating day with 3 races completed for all fleets.

Saturday was another frustrating day with the 3 races completed after a break ashore after the first race while we waited for the wind to settle.

Sunday did not look hopeful – clear & cloudless but Gulf Harbour reported a steady 12 knots from the south on their side of the Peninsular. We waited, attempted a start in 6 knots and blew it up with 20 seconds to go when the anemometer barely read 2 knots! We did get 2 races completed in 7- 9 knots which was not enough to attempt a third race without a recovery break and the time limit ran out!

With the promised forecast we were probably lucky to complete the 9 of the 12 scheduled races.

The Formula Boards were also scheduled to race with us but only competed in the 3 races on Friday as the winds over the other 3 days were not to their liking!! They did not complete their series.

Sailing the RS:X with the 8.5 rig were the Women and the Men’s & Women’s Youth sailors. On Thursday all completed the course for the I race which was sailed but on Friday, when conditions were very fresh a number of sailors failed to handle the conditions. The overseas visitors led the way in both the men’s and women’s fleets with Kate Ellingham leading the New Zealand Team home. Oliver Gunman was the leading Kiwi youth sailor. Both Kate and Olly are Takapuna members.

In the Bic Techno Fleet 7 sailors from Noumea gave our Kiwi sailors someone to chase.  On Friday, the first day of their regatta, the strong conditions proved very testing with a number failing to complete the first race and then stayed ashore for the rest of the day. The leading Kiwi was Hamish Dunning-Beck, son of a well known name in windsurfing fleets, while Isabel Hawkins led the Kiwi girls. Both these sailors are from Wakatere Boating Club.

For the Men’s RS:X fleet the wind strength each day can be judged by results! In less than 10 knots Tom Ashley was unbeatable and when the blew over 20 knots for races 2, 3 & 4 it was J.P. Tobin’s Day! Both are Takapuna members. These 2 led the fleet that included 9 overseas sailors enjoying our summer while the temperatures in their homelands were still in winter mode!

For the full results go to the SAILING page on this website under RESULTS

or refer to the Manly Sailing Club Web Site www.manlysailingclub.org.nz