Etchells- Post Christmas Series - Flight 8 - Feng Shui takes the day

by Etchells NZ media on 21 Mar 2015 In Race 1 Captain Pete (716) charged out of the blocks from the Committee boat end and had a very solid lead by the top mark in some very shifty conditions, leaving everyone else to play catch up.

In winds ranging from 10 - 20 knots, Captain Pete (716) took first place, followed by Feng Shui (1348) and Affinity (1059).

In Race 2, Johnny Melvile in Bobby's Girl (1058) was unstoppable up the first beat with his crack crew of Stu Malloy and a fellow crew-member from Abu Dhabi filling in. They lead around the top mark, followed by Upfront (814) , Affinity (1059) and Feng Shui (1348).

Bobby's Girl (1058) had an issue at the bottom mark and Upfront (814) took the lead, but didn't cover up the beat and got nailed by a shift which Bobby's Girl read beautifully and took the win from Feng Shui (1348) and Affinity (1059).

Race 3 was a one lap affair, as the breeze was dying out and getting dark quickly. It was a lovely sight with the harbour bridge lit up green for St Patrick's Day...

It was all on at the start with a big log jam at the committee boat end, forcing a few boats to tack off early to clear some air which new comer to the class Hugh Rebbeck on Echelon (1379) mastered superbly and controlled the right, but Feng Shui (1348) managed to get a great shift from the left with Bobby’s Girl (1058) closing the gap it was all on, with all boats finishing very close - showing how great the racing really is.

In the end it was Feng Shui (1348) followed by newcomers Echelon (1379) and Bobby’s Girl (1058).

This report is courtesy of Hayden Whitburn (your usual correspondent having been stranded on the beach for Flight 8).

Results are here (Flight) and here (Series).