Ovlov Marine take out inaugural NZ Marine Industry Sailing Challenge
by Tom Mackie, MRX Yachting on 20 Apr 2009
North Sails finished third in the Inaugural NZ Marine Industry Sailing Challenge MRX Yachting
www.mrxyachting.co.nz
The inaugural Marine Industry Challenge was organised by the MRX Fleet with the backing of their Marine Industry sponsors. It took place in ideal 8 to 12 knot North Easterly winds on the Waitemata Harbour, on Thursday 16 April 09.
A star studded line up of 88 sailors competed for the Touch of Gloss NZ Marine Industry Sailing Trophy.
The sailors featured a who's who of the NZ Marine Industry with Ray Davies and Rod Davis from Team NZ making guest appearances.
The event was showcased as a fun afternoon and an opportunity for the industry to get together outside of business but it was clear when the fleet of one design MRX yachts lined up on the starting line that you cannot hold competitive sailors back!
Ovlov Marine Volvo Penta, helmed by Ray Davies, established an early lead over Rod Davis and his team of Invitation Allstars on Club Marine with North Sails and Josh Tucker in hot pursuit.
Racing remained tight throughout the 2 hour race with Hall Spars and Yachting Developments securing 4th and 5th place. The last four places were not decided until the results of some Americas Cup style match racing tactics had sorted themselves out in the last 30 seconds of the race.
A magnificent trophy which features an original wooden block off Ranger from Ian Cook, Yachting Developments, was presented to the winners at the prize giving in the Dinghy Locker by Dale Pennington of Touch of Gloss.
With all the yachting talent on the water we congratulate Peter Jacobs and his crew from Ovlov Marine with a little help from Ray Davies for taking out the trophy!
The event is now established in our yachting calendar with crews and guests all agreeing that they will be back bigger and better next year!
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