2013 NZ Marine Industry Sailing Challenge won by Events Clothing

by Tom Macky on 22 Apr 2013
Events Clothing overhauled Club Marine to win the 2013 NZ Marine Industry Sailing Challenge.

After two years of drifters the 2013 NZ Marine Industry Sailing Challenge was sailed this year in a good 10 to 15 knot south westerly. North Sails were after a third win in a row but Events Clothing had other ideas. We welcomed crews from Lusty & Blundell, led by kim McDell and KZ Marine, led by Rick Hacket, who took up the challenge for the first time.

After a tight run down the harbour the fleet rounded North Head in a bunch together for the beat back into the tide to Resolution.

Club Marine, with MRX stalwart Phil Douglas on the helm, and Events Clothing worked up the Devonport shore to emerge comfortably in front of Brin Wilson Boats and North Sails who worked up the Orakei shore. Positions remained the same on the reach to Torpedo buoy but then the battle was on.

Events Clothing, with Phil Robertson on the helm, engaged Club Marine in a tacking duel up past the Navy base to the finish to come out on top. Nick Saull’s Brin Wilson Boats crew let North Sails slip past when they chose not to take them on in a tacking duel

Congratulations to Emma Hendy’s Events Clothing crew who are the new holders of the Touch of Gloss, NZ Marine Industry Sailing Challenge Trophy.

Rick Hacket’s KZ Marine crew won the Perseverance Trophy for their good manners around North Head buoy – thank you for preserving our fleet guys!