New Zealand WetaFest 2014 - NZ WetaFest was a ripper!

by Luis Kitchen on 10 Dec 2014
Last weekend Weta owners gathered at the Tauranga YPBC for an action packed weekend.The wind was perfect for the Friday coaching blowing out the cobwebs with a 25 knot westerly.

Justina and Josh helped get them around the track getting the basics more or less sorted. The tide was the real winner sending Terry and Isabel up the harbour...Inverted...far away from familiar landmarks.

The orienteering race on Saturday was a lot of fun dashing around the harbour and the Matakana beaches looking for markers. Again the tides needed to be considered so local lad Phil was a clear winner. There were a few clear fails with crews not able to hang on to their pencils and relied on remembering ten two digit codes. Good luck with that!

The afternoon practice races were started in another westerly howler. Although the numbers were a little depleted as some crews got into an early afternoon tea or headed for the Rolling Stones concert, we had a blast on the course. The starts were well managed by Lucy and Stella setting a short challenging course close to the sandbanks. Carnage galore!

The Tauranga lads managed to snap their centreboard on the shallows and the video boat, while we were tracking Jon, managed to smack into Phil who was bearing away to avoid Jon. Roger blamed Stella, Stella blamed Josh and Phil was happy with the hole in his boat as it looked like a port hole. Jon, being the true professional, continued to the top mark as the film crew and Phil were wedged together.

The next day when the 6 back to back races were sailed it seemed so uneventful apart from the second filming clash, but that is another story. The wind was great, the tide willing, skills...well they improved but most importantly it was a huge amount of fun. Terry, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday was a total inspiration to all the sailors. He celebrated the regatta by finishing his race by falling overboard...clutched the tiller then cruised over the finish line with Isabel at the helm and Terry minus his trousers.

WetaFest is a must for all Weta sailors in 2015. We have booked the same video crew and Stella will be looking out for some action.

Thanks to TYPBC for hosting yet another outstanding Weta event.