Elliott yachts perform well in Coastal Classic

by Jo Elliott on 29 Oct 2013
The Coastal Classic always attracts a number of Elliott yachts and this year was no exception. First Elliott to finish was Crusader, Anthony Leigh’s E35SuperSport, launched 12 months ago. In Div 1 Crusader was ninth on line, after 14 hours 37min 54 secs. A remarkable result for a 35 footer.

Leighs reports; 'It was a fantastic race, which we thoroughly enjoyed, and I must say, another fantastic day sailing Crusader, which is proving to be a sensational yacht, am absolutely loving it, only wish I could spend more time in Auckland going sailing. We got off with a fantastic start, flying our fractional code zero. We settled in to a long beat north keeping ahead of the majority of the mono hull fleet with the exception of the top fifty foot boats and Giacomo.

During the rest of the beat we had periods of cracked sheets and had some good periods of up to 11 knots of boat speed. Once the winds changed, we enjoyed some great sailing with our A3, with speeds topping out just under 20 knots. The crew did a sensational job, sailing the boat really well and tactically making some very good calls. We finished the race ninth monohull over the line, first boat under fifty feet.' Crusader holds the Coastal Classic record for the first yacht under 40ft and under 35ft divisions.

The new Elliott 35 Bushido, owned and skippered by Wayne Woods raced in the double handed division. Built by Yachting Developments in Auckland, and like sistership Crusader, sporting a North Sails inventory, Bushido will be set up primarily, for short handed sailing.

Wayne commented on his yacht’s first major race. 'Recent winds in Auckland played havoc with our preparation these past couple of weeks and we had only a couple of days sailing before the start. To finish 14th on line in Division 1 was a great result. All the boats ahead of us were fully crewed. It was always our intention to use this race as a step on our way to the 2 handed RNI race next year. There is a lot to work ahead of February but initial impressions are that we have a fantastic boat here which will only get better.'

Elliott cruising yachts were well represented in the race, with a number of Elliott Tourers competing. Bill Dalbeth’s Fiction, a 1350Tourer was another star performer in Division 1. Fiction crossed the finish line in 14 hours 52minutes, in the company of many larger race yachts. Sistership Flyer, was racing in the double handed division and finished second on line and handicap. Stuart reports that he and Malcolm were 'happy with our performance and I think we sailed a steady race, basically sailing the rum line.'

Elliott 1450Tourer Ubique took line honours & second on handicap in Div 8. Owner, Ian Studd has won the no extras division several times in previous years.

At the tail end of the race fleet were Elliott 770 Crocodile and Elliott 7 Elevation. Elevation (Tony Poolman) took line honours and third on handicap, and the Cockleshell Trophy for the smallest yacht to finish. Crew member, Brett Gray comments 'it was a great trip with Tony, John and Garth it's fair to say the little ship has had a good salt water rinse inside and out.' E770 Crocodile performed well in the heavy conditions, finishing fourth on line and handicap.