Slam Dunk wins first regatta in 2011 E5.9 Traveller Series

by NZ Elliott 5.9 Class Assn Media on 14 Apr 2011
Slam Dunk (Cameron Horne - RAYC, Auckland) won the 2011 E5.9 Auckland Champs, the first event in the 2011 E5.9 North Island Traveller Series.

Hosted by Bucklands Beach Yacht Club and sailed in conjunction with the SR26 and Magic 25 Nationals, the regatta was notable for a weekend of brilliant weather, light winds, competitive racing and the return to the circuit after an absence of 4 years of The Blurr.

Cam Horne showed his experience in the class to take a solid win after 8 races. Also featuring strongly were overnight leader The Blurr (RAYC/BBYC Auckland), helmed by last minute stand-in skipper Des Davis, which finished second overall.

Zoot Allures (Dave Cochran, OYC, Whangerei) finished third behind Slam Dunk and The Blurr. Brzo (Gillian Williams, Auckland) was fourth and Sub 60 (Stu Clark, BBYC, Auckland) was fifth overall. These 5 boats all featured in the close racing over the weekend. The class of Slam Dunk was evident in the final results as they won the final two heats to take the title.

The class is notable for the longevity of the boats and as one of the very first E5.9's built, The Blurr has been relaunched after sitting idle in a Karaka shed for 4 years. New owners Simon Manning and Andy Robertson normally race Voodoo, the current National Champion. However with Voodoo increasingly in need of a renovation, Team Voodoo recently purchased and refitted the Blurr and will campaign the boat in 2011.

The 2011 Traveller Series encompasses regatta in Whangarei (Onerahi YC, 9-10 July), Marsden Cove (27-28 August), Opua (24-25 September) and the North Island Champs in Turangi that counts for double points (19-20 November).

The Elliott 5.9 Class Association operates a website that is in the process of being rebuilt (www.e59.org.nz) and a new Facebook page (www.facebook.com/elliott5.9) that contains details of events, boats for sale and many photos. Several boats for sale are listed as well as gear layout shots.