Zephyr Nationals- Three way battle after three days in big fleet

by Tauranga YPBC Media on 12 Feb 2015 The Zephyr Nationals are in full swing with some exciting racing happening right in front of the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club.

A good-sized fleet of 46 Zephyr sailors from around the country is here with some beautiful boats. The age of the sailors range from several teenagers to seasoned sailors in their 70’s with some being past world and national champions with vast yachting experience. The fleet is predominantly mature men but we have three female sailors, Carla Holgate, Erica Minter and Annie Oxborrow competing for the women’s trophy.

Come down and see the action. Thanks to the big team of volunteers working on and off the water at the event.

Day 3: 12th Feb
Approx 8-12 knots from ESE. Grant Beck (Wakatere BC) leads by a small margin after six races from Tim Snedden and Steve Pyatt. Just six points separate the top three competitors.

Results up to and including Race 6 click here

Day 2: 11th Feb
Approx 15-22 knots from the East. Two races sailed.

The breeze for the first two days has been southeast and easterly. Quite an unusual direction, giving gusty and shifty breeze coming from the shipping wharf. The breeze has ranged from 12 to the mid 20 knots causing a few capsizes, tense gybes and good photos.

The front-runners in the results have already shown good consistency in their results even while the conditions have been shifty; maybe the years of experience are showing through! The starts have all been great with most boats right on the line, keeping Race Officer Bill Whitiskie on his toes. Grant Beck ‘Boardsailing and coaching legend’ from Wakatere, Auckland, has extended a small lead overall with second in Race 1 and winning Race 2 and 3 with some very tidy sailing.

Always in the front group is past National Champion Tim Snedden second and Steve Pyatt third pushing hard as well. Mark Thomas is the first of our sailors after some great races at the very front of the fleet, sitting in fifth and Andy Knowles close behind in seventh. Racing continues on Thursday, Friday and the final race and prize giving on Saturday.