Fun times at inaugural Weta New South Wales Championship + Video
by Miranda Powrie on 12 Oct 2013
Weta NSW Championships - Image by Colin Bresnahan Weta Marine
www.wetamarine.com
Chris Kitchen from Weta Marine in New Zealand was at first skeptical when Issac, his 12 year old super helm declared 'we will go around the top mark, blast downwind, then when we turn round the bottom mark we will have dolphins on the bow', but sure enough there were four dolphins cruising off the bow of his Weta!
Six boats attended the first New South Wales Weta regatta, from Victoria, ACT and NSW with a mix of double and single handed. Lots of wives and kids joined in for some races, so the focus was just on up-skilling the fleet and having a bit of fun.
Saturday was a warm but shifty offshore wind of about 10-18 knots, perfect Weta weather, gusty with flat water. Chris took out Glenn Marney’s kids Issac and Jack, who were stoked to win a race with Issac steering and Chris playing tactician. Chris was stoked that a kid who was a bit worried about going out in the morning ended up steering with the gennaker blasting over the finish line in Race 3.
Sunday was perfect beginner’s weather, offshore (flat water) again with 1-4 knots building to 12-15 knots. Everyone got comfortable in the light winds and enjoyed a blast once the wind came in. Chris took out a local kid, Sean from the club, who couldn't go out in his own boat so he went for a blast in the Weta. The highlight was Sean helming on a tight reach while blasting past Spirals and Tasers!
Racing was very close between the three doubled handed crews, Leigh and Brian both took their wives with them and they both got right into the racing. Geoff a Weta newbie took out the Victorian dealer Colin who gave him some good tips to get him started and then on Sunday Geoff took his son out.
The racing was followed up on Saturday with something no Aussie regatta is complete without; a dinner at the local RSL (Returned Services League). It rounded out a great weekend, we will be sure to do it again soon, keep an eye out for the next one.
A big thank you to Jervis Bay Yacht Club and Glenn Marney from Weta NSW for putting on a top regatta! Website
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/115516
