Jollyboat Nationals sailed at Howick Sailing Club
by Tim Nichols on 2 Apr 2017
Jollyboats - Jollyboat Nationals 2017 Tim Nichols
The 2017 Jollyboat Nationals was hosted by Howick Sailing Club between the 17th and19th March. The 3-day series provided sailors with a wide-range of sailing conditions under near perfect blue skies.
20 boats contested the series, with competitors travelling from Torbay, French Bay and Maraetai. 2 races were sailed on Friday in very light and shifty conditions, 4 races on Sunday in near perfect 14-16 knot conditions from the south and a further 2 races on Sunday afternoon after a 2 hour delay due to lack of wind in in 7-8 knots.
Jolly boats are unusual as they can be sailed competitively as a single-handed boat, or with a second person – making them a great choice for parents with children. Hamish Hall-Smith from French Bay won the regatta with 5 wins. Second and third were Graham Fleury from Torbay and Mark Winters from Maraetai sailing club.
Overall the event was a great success with a spit roast on the Saturday night laid on by the team from Howick Sailing Club, giving sailors a chance to wind down and share their triumphs and tragedies from the day’s racing. The regatta was generously supported by Yamaha, New World, Seaside, Coke, Countdown and Fulton Hogan.
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