The Blurr is third winner at 2011 Elliott 5.9 Series at Marsden Cove
by Elliott 5.9 Class Assn. on 31 Aug 2011
Elliott 5.9 fleet racing - 2011 Elliott 5.9 Traveler Series - Marsden Cove Regatta Rob Gill
A small but quality 6-boat fleet of Elliott 5.9's contested the 2011 Marsden Cove leg of the 2011 Elliott 5.9 Traveler Series hosted by Onerahi Yacht Club over the weekend of 27-28 August. A few last minute withdrawals meant fleet numbers were down on expectations for the regatta however the racing was as close as usual.
The Blurr, back on the water after an extended period in storage was the winner. The new owners of Blurr, Simon Manning and Andy Robertson (RAYC, Auckland) also own current National Champion Voodoo, which is undergoing a restoration after many seasons of hard racing. Blurr sailed the weekend with young BBYC member Ludy Marthe on bow.
Nine races were held on Bream Bay in light breezes and and tricky conditions. This was particularly true on day one where the fleet experienced huge variations during each of the five races and Class PRO Paddy Simms and his team had to work hard to get all the scheduled races in successfully.
After the first day, The Blurr, Brzo (Gillian Williams, Auckland) and Zoot Allures (Dave Cochran, Whangerei) were closely placed with Blurr having won three races and Zoot Allures two. Brzo was consistent with a long string of second placings. Hobo (Rob Ward, Onerahi) and Frivolous Fish (David Krebs, Opua) both managed good placings during the day and overall the racing was competitive as usual.
In the final heat of the day, Zoot Allures sneaked across the line to win with the last of the breeze while Slam Dunk (Cameron Horne, Auckland), Brzo and The Blurr crews struggled to make headway in the drifting conditions. Finally the first of the land breeze arrived to take the three boats across the line just inside the cut-off, with The Blurr.
On Sunday the fleet was towed outside in glorious but still conditions and the sailors enjoyed the spectacular views of the Whangarei Heads. A light breeze arrived and racing started an hour later than scheduled.
The Blurr won all four races to pull away and take the regatta, while Zoot Allures, Slam Dunk and Brzo fought out for second. Zoot Allures emerged to be the runner-up from Brzo.
Offering close racing and great social events built around a North Island weekend regatta circuit, the Elliott 5.9 class is the perfect 3-person syndicate boat. The class is relatively low maintenance and is sailed by a crew of 3. No rail meat - everyone has a job! There is a growing fleet in Opua with interest and new owners also in Auckland, Picton and New Plymouth.
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.
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