Jack Tar Auckland Regatta - Beau Geste wins Big Boat division

by Sail-World.com on 20 Mar 2016 Beau Geste has claimed another regatta title in style after a top class final day for Division A in Auckland. Helmed by Karl Kwok, Beau Geste won three out of the four races sailed today in fantastic conditions for yachting off Eastern Beach.

Beau Geste was sitting in second place behind Viento 2 after Day 1, but their three solid wins and a third in the final race surged them to the top of the standings, and winning seven races of the eight sailed in the regatta.

Mayhem, helmed by Harry Dodson, also had an outstanding day's racing, taking out second place in all four races sailed today. Mayhem were sitting in fourth place overnight after coming very close to pushing into the top three. However, today's huge effort allowed to them to claim second place overall for the regatta.

Heading into the final race today, the third position overall was anybody’s to win – with Temptation, V5 and Viento 2 all in a position to take the final podium spot. Temptation, helmed by Anatole Masfen, were cool and calm under pressure - making the final dash count and claiming the gun in the final race of the regatta to seal up third overall. Beau Geste, Mayhem and Viento 2 were the top three on line at the completion of the regatta.

B division also saw some especially tight and competitive racing today, with four different race winners and a mix of six different boats claiming top three finishes throughout the day. Although there was a large mix of results, Steve Purton's Ice Breaker – who dominated on Day 1 - were clearly still the boat to beat, winning all eight sailed in the regatta which set them up for their overall B division title (Line and Handicap), a great result for the team.

Kaimai Express from Tauranga also had a glamour day after sitting in second place overnight, snatching a win in the first race followed by two third place finishes, allowing them to hold onto their second overall spot. Third place on handicap in Division B goes to Josh Tucker's Sun Fast 3600 Racing, who were rewarded for consistency throughout the regatta. Line was also hotly contested in this division, with the RNZYS YTP Team on Lawless second, and Janine Robinson’s Auckland Regatta stalwart Bullrush rounding out third (behind first placed Ice Breaker.)

The Open Multihull division was unfortunately only raced in by two boats today, Marwin Racing Team and Excess, with both boats impressively flying on their foils up and down the track, a sight which will never get old for sailing enthusiasts. Marwin Racing Team showed their class all weekend and were rewarded with the first on Handicap and Line double for 2016.

The 8.5m multi-hull division class championships were taken out by yesterday’s leader Clive Wright on board Dirty Deeds. ‘The Deeds’ won all eight races on line and were very deserved winners of the class championships, making it two in a row for Clive and his crew after also winning the title in 2015.

The big improvers today were Stealth Mission, helmed by Sam Tucker, after a tough day yesterday they found their mojo today to grab two seconds and two thirds which has handed them second overall for the division. Attitude rounds out the top three after getting two second place finishes in the four races today. On handicap, it’s Stealth Mission first, Voom second and Attitude third.

The Pacific Keelboat Challenge fleet picked up where they left of and had another highly competitive day’s sailing in the MRXs. Heading into the 12th and final race, the top spot was still up for grabs between the two Australians Chris Way (RPAYC) and Andy Kearnan (CYCA).

In what was an exciting encounter, Chris Way showed his class to clinch the gun and subsequently the Pacific Keelboat Challenge title. Andy Kearnan finished fourth in the do or die last race, but it was still good enough to hand him second overall. However, it wasn’t all an Australian affair, with RNZYS’s Matt Bouzaid showing consistency once again to hold onto his third spot, which he held for the entire regatta. A superb ending to a super weekend of racing in the MRX’s.

The Sports boats were back at full pace off Bean Rock today too, with overnight leader Badonkadonk winning the day again with three second places and a win, claiming the overall title for Division S. Phil Bishop’s Helter Skelter made the most of today’s ideal conditions, coming from fourth overnight to finish in second place overall with Chris Hirst's Enigma taking third.

Lastly, Division C was won by Rawhide, who won all four races today, with Perfect Alibi second and Meister third.

The Jack Tar Auckland Regatta would like to thank all competitors who took part in this year’s regatta. It was full of fantastic racing which was only possible due to the calibre of entrants. We would also like to thank the Race Management teams on both courses, the RNZYS Sailing Office and RNZYS Media.

For Final results click here