Maverick wins Etchells Auckland Champs

by Alex Webster on 25 Feb 2015 Having waited until race six of a six race series to pick the right side of the race course, your correspondent then picked the wrong winner.

At last nights prize-giving, hosted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, the Auckland Champs Trophy - replete with the names of some legendary past winners - has handed over to a grateful, but perplexed Willzy and the crew of Feng Shui (1348) .

However sharper minds and keener (younger) eyes soon spotted the missing 'drop' and it is therefore with great pleasure that I can announce that class debutante Lincoln Fraser and the crew of Maverick (1077) are Auckland Champions for 2015.

After a nail-bitingly close regatta over two nights, only 2.5 points separate the top four finishers and on average the fleet was separated by just over a minute.

Day One delivered lively conditions, congested mark-roundings and a few legislative posers. Bobby's Girl (1058) took two bullets, but posted an eighth place in race 2 (which was won by Valsheda (950)) to finish the day first overall from Maverick (1077) and Valsheda (950).

Maverick (1077) continued a consistent regatta on Day Two until the final, single-lap race, when competing breezes inevitably wrought a massive hole, into which the majority of the fleet haplessly drifted. Valsheda (950) and Feng Shui (1348) both found pressure on the left hand side of the work and at the top mark Valsheda (950) rounded first. Feng Shui (1348) launched their chute before the offset mark and rolled Tortuga (779) to take second place.

With Maverick (1077) finishing a distant eighth, the top three boats were then only separated by 1.5 points and with a discard Maverick's rock-steady performance won out.

Many congratulations, then, to Lincoln Fraser Simon Baker, Georgi Yankov and Sam Melville and thanks to all who competed in a hugely enjoyable regatta.

Many thanks also to Megan Kensington and the RNZYS race committee and to Melanie Best and the race management team.

February 18 - Post Christmas Series Flight 4 welcomed Hugh Rebbeck as the new owner of Echelon (1083). Hugh and his crew, Jono Howson have served their most recent Etchells apprenticeships aboard Tortuga (779) and their results eloquently attest to their faithful attendance to the tutelage of your correspondent. Fleet veteran, Gavin Gerrard was on hand last night to correct the worst of the damage that I have inflicted and we wish Gavin all the very best for the future.

With the line set excitingly close to the Westhaven breakwater, a fleet of 11 enjoyed three quick and grippingly close races with Valsheda (950) taking a clean sweep. Bobby's Girl (1058) (minus Johhny Melville) took second and Maverick (1077) just eased out Upfront (814) for third place.

After racing, Jenny Cooper of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club gave a brief, impromptu presentation at Swashbucklers to invite all Etchells sailors to the 2015 Worlds, to be held in Hong Kong in November. Information regarding this event can be found on the RHKYC website, or by emailing Jenny (etchells.hongkong@gmail.com). The Worlds in Hong Kong is a truly mouth-watering prospect and all New Zealand sailors are encouraged to participate.

Further information regarding the Worlds will be posted on the website over the next few months.

Next week, the Auckland Champs, hosted by the RNZYS, will be held on successive evenings (Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th). A dozen Etchells are expected to compete and all are invited to attend the prize-giving at RNZYS on Tuesday after racing.