Tamaru takes 86th Lipton Cup

by Janet Watkins on 17 Mar 2007 Nine L-class Mullet boats started in the 86th Lipton Cup. The event is one of the classics on the Auckland sailing calendar for a trophy donated by Sir Thomas Lipton.

The Course is set prior to the briefing at 0830 and is required to be 22 miles approx. The start is always on the wind and then Harbour Race marks are designated.

The forecast SW to NW winds dictated the course which started of Stanley Point in a westerly wind, with a beat up to a laid mark near the Harbour Bridge, a reach across to Barwell Buoy off the Ponsonby Cruising Club, a spinnaker run to Bastion Buoy and then Rangitoto Buoy. Trouble is this mark is not yet laid so the launch 'Karros' was anchored in position flying the 'M' flag - for the crew aboard 'Karros' we had grandstand seats of spinnaker jibes & mark roundings!!
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From 'Karros' boats raced to Cable Buoy, back to 'Karros', to Narrowneck Buoy and home to the finish off Westhaven. Winds were between 10 and 18 knots - great sailing conditions - for all except 'Orion' whose mast snapped as she eaded for home off Narrowneck beach!

The Results on Line and winner of the Lipton Cup:
L61 Tamarau - Jim MacKay, L58 Girlie - Gifford Linder, L56 Scullet - Richard Blatch, L60 Martana - Dave Nigh, L30 Rainbow - Mike Thomson(previously Tirros!) L45 Vamoose - Lance Brown, L51 Honey - James Davern, L38 Taotane - Robert Algie and L53 Orion - Martin Robertson withdrew.

L58 Girlie won the Overseas Cup for second place on line and Girlie also won on Handicap.

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