Sail-World.com : Derek Scott wins 3.7 Class National Contest

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Sail-World.com : Derek Scott wins 3.7 Class National Contest

Derek Scott wins 3.7 Class National Contest

Twenty-nine 3.7's attended a closely-fought 'Carson Taylor Ford 3.7 National Champs' contest over Easter at the Rotorua Yacht Club. Many budding trapeze artists were frustrated when light airs prevailed, and only two late-afternoon races provided enough wind for true trapeze sailing.

Derek Scott 10 points (winner of the Tanner & Tauranga Cups double in the mid-90's) proved strongest and sharpest, just holding off a very strong challenge from Hamilton's Alan Paine 15 points. Originally from Hamilton, Mark O'Brien (2005 & 2006 titleholder) just back from London, was also = on 15 points, 3rd place only by countback. Just behind these three in fourth place was Rhys Johnston of Auckland a recent convert to the Class, 23 points.

Each of the six races was won by a different person, with standout wins going to Brett Gray (Rotorua) in race 1; Rohan Cooke (Auckland) in race 4, and former titleholder Lance O'Connell (Rotorua) in Race 6. Lance in fifth place overall also took out the Veterans' Cup (over-45), while the Under-21 Cup went to Nick James of Christchurch, after a close fight with David Laing (Rotorua). The first three placegetters also took one race each.

A vast array of new sails and carbon rigs made the fleet look very classy. The 3.7 provides an unequalled bang for your buck and everyone had a great contest without any protests being lodged. The Rotorua Yacht Club members gave up their long weekend and did a superb job of hosting the contest both on the water and on shore.

Of special note were a number of aged Starling sailors who have now moved on to the 3.7 Class and whose light weight has made them rockets upwind. The fleet had seven sailors under 21 and also seven veterans 45 and over. All age groups were represented in the fleet and the growth potential of the young ones is great for the future. When so many Starling sailors eventually have to call it quits; we have another option for them to move on to; more FUN and at the SAME price as their old Starling!

The class keeps a list of boats for sale and those wanting to buy, but a lot of boats are changing hands on trademe these days, it is very buyer-beware and anyone purchasing a boat is recommended to contact Class Secretary/Treasurer John Elliott (jelliott@slingshot.co.nz) to ascertain if the boat has ever been measured and/or when it was last measured to avoid any surprises.

3.7 Website http://www.sentech.co.nz/farr37/

Class Contact: Chris@AES.net.nz

Photographs from the first day of racing are soon to be available from http://jamesmoorephotography.co.nz

Full results for the contest should soon be on the Class website and http://www.rotoruayachtclub.org.nz

Event sponsor Carson Taylor Ford http://www.carsontaylor.co.nz/home.html

by John Elliott & Chris Mitchell Share 5:42 AM Wed 26 Mar 2008 GMT

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