Auckland Optimist and Starling Championships- Final Results and Images

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com/nz on 26 Jan 2015 After three days of racing in champagne conditions the largest junior one design regatta ever staged in New Zealand is over

Sailed from Wakatere Boating Club, with assistance from several Auckland yacht clubs, and many volunteers, the racing was virtually incident free, with three races per class being sailed on each of the three days.

Winds were from a NE direction on each of the three days which is a seabreeze, or onshore breeze at Wakatere which is sheltered by Rangitoto Island.

A strong outgoing tide made the courses a little one way, winds were always in the rang of 8-15kts, usually with bright sunshine.

In the Starling class which attracted 75 boats, Josh Armit (Murrays Bay) won four straight races, and won by 7pts from Scott Mckenzie (Kohimaramara) with Jordan Stevenson (Wakatere) in third overall, 5pts fruther back. Full results can be viewed by clicking here

Despite only winning three of the nine races sailed, Andrew Stetton (Lake Taupo YC) was an easy winner of the 51 boat Green Fleet for first year Optimist sailors. He won by a 23pt margin from Suede Cowley (Queen Charlotte) with Auckland's Robbie Woolridge in third. Full results can be viewed by clicking here

Results for the Open Gold fleet can be viewed by clicking here and the Open Silver fleet by clicking here

The Open events were contested by 110 boats from six countries.

To view the images below in full screen just left click on any image and a full screen slide show will start