Tricky conditions ar Turangi for 2013 12 Foot Skiff Nationals
by Chris Reid on 24 Mar 2013
Alex Vallings on C-tech Performance launching through the finish line for the win - 12ft Skiff Interdominions - Races 6 and 7 Richard Billett
On the 16th and 17th of March, the 12ft skiff nationals was held from the Turangi Yacht and Power Boat club.
Conditions over the weekend were always going to be tricky with a variable forecast.
Despite the light winds the race committee managed to get 3 races away, by way of a 2hour break on the beach after race 1 until the breeze filled enough for the start of races 2 and 3.
Thank goodness for the big rig!
Day two produced a more unsettled weather pattern which made the rig choice more challenging.
Three of the boats dropping to a second rig with the rest of the fleet sticking with the #1 rig.
Three races were sailed which provided some exciting moments with solid gusts occasionally blasting down the course.
Racing went down to the wire, with the two C-Tech boats turning in an equal scorecard of 1,1,1,2,2,3.
Alex Vallings and Lyn Holland ( C-tech White )coming through on a count back for winning the final race.
Chris Reid and Andrew Clarke ( C-tech Grey ) was second overall with Tim Bartlett and Dave Healy sailing the Frankenskiff rounding out the podium for third.
A great weekend was had by all of the 11 boats entered with everybody keen to come back again in the future.
It was great to see so many new teams amongst the fleet with everyone keen to contest the starts and get amongst the action.
We are looking forward to continuing to grow interest and numbers within the fleet in the future.
Special thanks go to Wally and his team of volunteers at the Turangi Yacht and Powerboat Club for their time and effort, also to the Motuopa Motor Camp for being so accommodating.
And a big thanks to Belinda and Phil of the Lake Taupo Yacht Club for the loan of their RIB for the weekend.
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