Bay of Islands turns it on for the 470 Nationals

by Lesley Haslar on 4 Mar 2013
Well known Northland sailing identity, Lesley Haslar gives her view of the New Zealand 470 National Championships sailed from March 1 to March 3 and irganised by Kerikeri Cruising Club, in her beloved Bay of Islands:

Nine eager pairs on the 470 class sail boats battled across the start line in each of the ten races off from Kerikeri Cruising Club in the Bay of islands. Day 1 Harris Bindon and Alexander Bryning (local Kerikeri boat #43) said 'the wind was up and down today and we had a few breakages, let’s hope that doesn’t happen again. One of our goals is to beat my local mate Ned Dalbeth-Hudson on #21' - and they did.

Said Wakatere Yacht Club racer Paul Snow-Hanson pairing with Daniel Wilcox 'the winds are shifty making for very interesting sailing'; Richard and John Power reiterated the comment adding they enjoyed the sailing but had fun with skittery breezes continually changing direction.

Sam Barnett and Jack Merton from Tauranga Yacht Club were in their first 470 race – last week racing 420’s - this week 470’s. Is this a challenge or what……

Snow-Hanson/Wilcox were tied with Glendowie Boating Club Day One - Francisco Lardies and Luke Stevenson. Day Two Snow-Hanson took three firsts, followed by a mixed bag on Day Three, but enough ‘firsts across the line to bring home the bacon’ taking First Overall in the 2013 NZ 470 Nationals.

James Turner and Carl Evans were a pair to be recognised; Evans represented NZ in the Beijing Olympics 2008. 'You’d find it hard to have a better place to stay and sail than the Bay of Islands' The fleet was a mixture of the more experienced competitors, a middle group followed by the four Junior Sailing crews.

The Prizegiving was held at the Kerikeri Cruising Club. Tony Dalbeth and Garry Colebrook were recognised by all as having organised such a successful and fun three days. It was an honour to have Torben Grael (from Brazil - six time Olympian with five medals) to present the prizes.

1st Paul Snow-Hanson & Daniel Wilcox
2nd James Turner & Carl Evans
3rd Francisco Lardies & Luke Stevenson

Masters Class
1st Richard and John Power

Junior Class
1st Gareth Moore & Vicky Francis