Sail-World.com : Gair wins New Zealand Etchells Nationals from Australian crew
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Gair wins New Zealand Etchells Nationals from Australian crew |
Alastair Gair and crew of Andrew Wills, Rhys Johnson and Derek Scott held off a strong challenge from the Australian crew of Jake Gunther, John Collingwood and Russell Tyson, to win the 2009 Etchells National Championships on Saturday and Sunday.
Third placing went to Anatole Masfen, Matt Kelway and Troy Tindall.
Going into the last race of the seven race series, 1 point separated the top two boats. Unfortunately the Australians were too eager on the start line and recovering from their recall was too much. A slight anti climax to an otherwise close regatta for these two crews. Conditions varied from a stiff 20 knot wind against tide on Friday through to 10-15knot for the remaining Saturday and Sunday racing.
The regatta was a great introduction for the newly established fleet, with positive feedback from competitors and the general yachting fraternity experiencing the sight of this magnificent International One Design Class on Auckland Harbour. Racing was ably conducted by OD John Sinclair of Gulf Harbour Y.C, Warwick Gair and Ian Seaton, long time supporters of the class.
The Etchells Class is extremely strong in Australia (check out www.etchells.org)
Future events in Auckland are planned to include Australian crews, using the NZ boats in round robin series.
Currently three NZ crews including Alastair Gair participate on the Australian circuit, with Andrew Wills sailing on the winning boat at the Worlds in Perth two years ago, and Alastair Gair and crew placed second.
Alastair has also claimed runner up on a couple of other occasions since then in the Australian Nationals and the Aucklander is amongst the favourites for the 2010 Murphy & Nye Etchells Australian Championship in January 2010.
Those who have followed this talented crew see victory in the near future! The worlds are to be raced in Sydney in 2012 which the NZ fleet is working towards.
Future racing is on selected Tuesday evenings at Westhaven throughout the summer.
Enquiries please call Lindsay Kennedy 021 530 177.
by Scott Kennedy
7:10 AM Thu 19 Nov 2009 GMT
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