Woodstock wins 2007 CRC Pied Piper Nationals

by Pied Piper Class Association on 1 May 2007 The 2007 CRC Pied Piper National Championships were held over the weekend of 28 and 29 April 2007, run flawlessly by Teresa Tootil and her dedicated team of volunteers from BBYC Yacht Club.

Leading up to the regatta the weather forecast looked ominous, with winds up to 30knots predicted for Saturday morning. Luckily uncle Huey looked kindly over the almighty Piedys and both days were blessed with a range of weather conditions to widely test the boats and crew out.

Saturday morning rolled round and a record 23 Pied Piper yachts dropped their moorings, or pulled off marinas and started making way to the race course which was positioned between Browns Island, and Bean Rock.

The first race was completed in very light conditions, complete contrast to the forecast. Graeme Robbins and his crew aboard Woodstock got an early lead and extended out for a comfortable win. After a 1 hour wait after the finish of the first race, waiting for the wind to fill in, race 2 got underway in 12knots of wind. Rat Catcher excelled in this race to narrowly beat Woodstock to the gun.

Race 3, 4 and 5 on Saturday became repetitive with Woodstock taking the gun in all three, and the 3-5th position being tightly fought.

Saturday night saw a good party at the BBYC Yacht club with Wind Warrior yachts kindly sponsoring a BBQ to make sure the crews were drinking on a full stomach, followed by a stumble down to the BBYC Loading dock to create a dock party aboard the Rum-Go and Bandelero.

Sundays weather had a bit more of a wet look about it with cloudy skies and 15- 18 knots of wind. Three races were run with Woodstock struggling to keep up their four guns effort of Saturday, and racing saw Infatuation and Rat Catcher stealing guns off Woodstock who managed to win the second race as the wind lightened off a little.

Graeme Robbins and his crew of Rob Hielkema, Adam Minoprio, and Phil Robertson took overall honours for the regatta, with Ratcatcher (Hamish Crossan) chasing them up followed by Motamouse 3rd and Yosemite Sam 4th

Sunday night at BBYC was a big night, thanks again to Grant and Jan from Wind Warrior Yachts for supplying the BBQ so the boys had some fuel in the tank for a big night drinking. Prize giving was a humorous affair with people being rewarded for various wipeouts, and user errors. Including the glamour hoist half way up a beat by Vestalia! Many a rum was drunk and many a lie told on Sunday night at before we were finally asked to pack the party up in the early hours of Monday morning!!

A Big Thanks goes out to Teresa and her team of volunteers who ran the regatta, BBYC Yacht club for putting up with us and supplying the bar for us to prop up. Title sponsor CRC, Windwarrior Yachts for the BBQ, Waitemata Riggers, Mad Dogs and Englishman (the bar) and the White Horse bar, RFD, Burnsco Marine, War Paint, Corona, Mt Gay Rum, and to anyone else who helped us out. A regatta worth booking in on the calendar for next year!