Saturday, 6 March saw the 15th edition of the venerable Rata Road Regatta sailed off North Shore's Cheltenham Beach. Confined to 'locals' the event is one of the mostly keenly contested regatta in New Zealand carrying gold plated bragging rights the next 12 months.
Some of New Zealand's top sailors compete, well they've done pretty well in days gone by, and this regatta is their opportunity to prove that they are still on top of their game.
Twenty Lasers in varying degrees of repair were generously made available by their owners in the knowledge that it was unlikely that they would draw their own boat – an unorthodox starting platform for what is regarded as one of the most cherished trophies in NZ yachting circles as the pantheon of past winners attests – Len Light (twice), Keith Chapman, Paul Page, John Dowsett, Ian Gladwell (twice), Kenny Davern, Geoff Topham, Pete Thomas, Christopher Hancock, Mike Keeton and Mark Page. This is a regatta steeped in tradition, ritual and rich laughter. Fifteen years without a protest, although the Three Pronged Garden Fork has been presented in past years for 'agricultural' start line behaviors.
One long standing mystery was cleared up on the day. Simon Gundry came forward at the pre match briefing and offered a most heartfelt and sincere apology to the yachting fraternity of New Zealand – a stirring speech in the finest style of groveling apology so in vogue these days – grab a hanky before you click play.
Four heats were sailed in light, challenging conditions. Victories secured by the usual suspects - Robbie Naismith (with crew, son Lochy, our youngest ever heat winner), Ian Gladwell, Luuk Batenburg, Pete Thomas
As the five minutes counted down for the Plate Final a near perfect 15 to 20 knots of south easterly set in true to provide those who obviously spend too much time in the gym the right conditions to stretch out and charge as well as offering the supporters a terrific spectacle of the bottom mark set only 25 meters off the beach. The timing of the arrival of that breeze had a few gazing skyward.
The Rata Road Regatta format lived up to its reputation with a number of intense one on one matches developing within the fleet. The Plate Final was secured by Wayne Ferguson, narrowly edging Mark Bell out for second.
A star studded fleet contested a tight Grand Final. At the bottom mark there was nothing in it between most of them. An immaculate second beat saw Ed Crook achieve a handy lead which he successfully defended from a charging Ian Gladwell.
Our thanks to Stephanie and John for sharing their lovely home with us again.
There have been numerous demands for a fixture date to be set immediately for 2011. The Race Committee have accepted the challenge and will make an announcement shortly.
Heat Winners, from the left – Robbie Naismith and son Lochy, Ian Gladwell, Peter Thomas, Luuk Batenburg. Lochy is our youngest ever heat winner. Rata Road Regatta, Cheltemham Beach, March 2010 - Event Media Click Here to view large photo
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