Flying Fifteen and Fyling Dutchman Nationals conclude in Nelson
by Nelson Mail on 9 Feb 2013
Aaron Goodmanson and Alister Rowlands (NZL) racing on Day 2, 2009 Flying Fifteen Worlds, Port Phillip, Melbourne Richard Gladwell
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The former world No 3-ranked duo of Aaron Goodmanson and Alistair Rowlands have won a 10th national Flying Fifteen title, pipping their rivals on the final day of sailing in Tasman Bay on Wednesday.
Heavy winds on Monday and light conditions yesterday allowed only seven races to be completed, enough to crown a series champion.
Goodmanson and Rowlands of the Charteris Yacht Club (Lyttelton) went into the final day with a slim lead over Murray Gilbert and Jonathan Burges of the Royal Akarana Yacht Club (Auckland).
Goodmanson and Rowlands finished the regatta with four wins, two second placings and a third which wasn't scored. Gilbert and Burges, sailing 'Frenetic', finished with three firsts, three seconds and a 10th, which was dropped.
Along with the first and second placegetters, the next three boats qualified for the world champs taking place in Hong Kong in October.
Craig Coulam and Adrienne Rekke (Royal Akarana) were third, with John Leydon of the Motueka Club and Nelson Yacht Club member Mike Morris taking fourth. Fifth place went to Sally Garrett and Neil Easton.
However, a sixth boat will also be invited to race at the world champs, that spot going to Nelson's Sandra Williams and Napier's Graeme Robinson.
The Flying Dutchman nationals were a 'straight-bullet finish' with Nelson Yacht Club member Andrew McKee and Matthew Bismark, currently living in Australia, winning seven races from seven starts and taking the Rothman's Gallon trophy.
The national champions were kept honest by Nelson's Alisdair Daines and Dave Gibb, who finished five of the seven races in second. Peter and Joseph Bailey were third.
For the full report on this regatta http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/sport/8269371/World-class-pair-sail-to-their-10th-title!click_here
For results from both Champioinships http://www.nelsonyachtclub.org.nz/2013/02/ff-fd-national-champs-final-results/!click_here
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