Harken Young 88 Nationals - Waka Huia wins after start controversy

by Georgia Witt, RNZYS on 10 Apr 2016 Bill Dalbeth and his crew of Richard Bicknell, Ross Weauer, Chris Maddock, Oliver Scott Mackie, Ian Vickers and Ned Dalbeth-Hudson are the 2016 Harken Young 88 National Champions.

Dalbeth also claimed the Tanaka Cup for first owner driver on Waka Huia. The tem scored 17 points over the regatta, with an eighth, two third’s and two guns.

After a lengthy protest hearing the committee ruled that Waka Huia was not over the start line in Race 3 and she was reinstated in first place to secure the regatta for Dalbeth.

Mike Sanderson on Flash Gordon had less luck in the protest room but still managed to finish second overall, carrying a disqualification for starting over the line, two seconds, two thirds and one gun with a final score of 25.

Third placed Nathan Williams on Slipstream III sailed a consistent regatta to finish with four fourths and two fifths, also finishing on 25 points but taking third place on countback to Flash Gordon.

The Corinthian Award went to Roger Sims and his crew on the eighth placed Heartlight, showing the experience and calibre of the teams competing this year. The Young 88 Association also awarded the prize for 2016’s Handicap winner to Edward Massey on Undercover, winning on countback from second placed Philip Rzepecky and his crew on Medium Dry.

Today’s conditions proved to be just as trying as yesterday, with the race committee just squeezing in the six races off Northern Leading beacon. Race Officer Celia Carson said she was happy to have got the required racing in, but would have loved more wind to finish the event off.

Final results available click here to view