Liefting and Dickson win back to back RS Feva National Championship

Eli Liefting and Rose Dickson - 2017 RS Feva National Championship Suellen Hurling

Hamish McLaren and Henry McLachlan - 2017 RS Feva National Championship © Suellen Hurling

Hamish McLaren and Henry McLachlan, also from RAYC finished second overall with current Optimist National Champion Seb Menzies sailing with Robbie Wooldrige finishing third. This was Menzies’ first experience in the RS Feva Class and he was happy with his result.

Seb Menzies and Robbie Wooldridge - 2017 RS Feva National Championship © Suellen Hurling

'It was so much fun!' said Menzies post racing.

The fleet of 22 boats and 44 sailors were dealt with rather horrendous conditions for the two day regatta. With strong westerlies and torrential rain, the RAYC Race Management team opted to race the fleet in the more protected area of Mechanics Bay as appose to the exposed area of Northern Leading. But the protected area came with it's own challenges with the fleet forced to deal with more tidal influences racing closer to shore.

Fleet - 2017 RS Feva National Championship © Suellen Hurling

On day one of the regatta four races were completed, but it wasn't an enough to secure a National Championship. Fives races were required for the regatta to count. The RAYC Race Management team were adamant they would get a series in and get racing away on time on the final day.

'We will definitely get the races in,' said RAYC Commodore Sally Garrett who was keeping a watchful eye on everything from the start boat. 'We are very fortunate to have a very strong mark laying and safety boat team out there who are ensuring everyone is ok and that we have fair races,' continued Garrett.

Eli Liefting and Rose Dickson leading the fleet - 2017 RS Feva National Championship © Suellen Hurling

With breaks in the weather all of the planned races were completed.

The 2017 Nationals is the third major event for the RS Feva Class in New Zealand and was supported by The Water Shed Takapuna who provided the sailors with some fantastic prizes.

Maddie Couwenberg and Mia Horton - 2017 RS Feva National Championship © Suellen Hurling

Top 5 Overall

1st - Eli Liefing and Rose Dickson (RAYC) - 8pts
2nd - Hamish McLaren and Henry McLachlan (RAYC) - 15pts
3rd - Seb Menzies and Robbie Wooldridge (MMSC/WBC) - 22.5pts
4th - Harry Butler and Harry Firman (RAYC) - 28pts
5th - Cameron Todd and Danny Su (RAYC) - 37.5pts

First All Girl Crew and Most Improved

- Maddie Couwenberg and Mia Horton (RAYC)

Results: