Final Results 2008 Javelin Skiff NZ Nationals
by David Brown on 26 Mar 2008
Martin Stacey / Colin Shanks blasting around the bottom mark - Javelin Class 2008 Nationals Wayne Brown
The 2008 New Zealand Javelin Nationals were sailed over Easter Weekend in Wellington from the Heretaunga Boating Club. The event was well attended with 16 Javelins from far and wide competing for their National Title.
Conditions ranged from extremely windy to drifting. Day one recorded max wind gusts at 41 knots with several boats suffering gear damage. Day 2 had 15 - 20 knots, Day 3 saw 5 - 15 knot winds, and Day 4 brought 0 - 20 knot winds. The conditions saw racing in all wind ranges meaning no one got their 'Perfect Conditions'.
The racing was extremely close, with five boats still in contention for the title going into the last 2 races. David Brown and Graham Roberts sailing 'Flying Circus' won the regatta after a tight battle with Ben Bax and Adam Scott Mackie on 'The Unknown'. Race 10 saw 'Flying Circus' beat 'The Unknown' by just inches on the finish line.
The final race saw Craig Gilbert and Rob Fordyce sailing 'Bungholio' sail away to win the race, while 'Flying Circus' and 'The Unknown' match raced around the track in an epic battle with the wind now over 20 knots.
David Brown and Graham Roberts who also won this title last year made it hard for themselves after damaging the mast on the way to the start line on race 1. As a result they headed back to the beach for repairs (more carbon!) missing the first two races and effectively starting the series with no discards up their sleeves.
Top 10: David Brown / Graham Roberts 1st, Ben Bax / Adam Scott Mackie 2nd, Nick Talyor / Jason Parkin 3rd, Craig Gilbert / Rob Fordyce 4th, Stuart Goodes / Ollie Scott-Mackie 5th, Martin Stacey / Colin Shanks 6th, Roger Barnes / Royce Lovelock 7th, Richard Bell / Todd Gilbert 8th, Antje Muller / Hillary Sutherland 9th, Callum Gilbert / Peter Gilbert 10th.
Full results and stories can be found at www.javelins.org
Next season will see New Zealand Hosting The South Pacific Javelin Championships from Tauranga (26th Jan - 6 Feb) with boats coming from Australia. Right now the Javelin Fleet are in good shape to take on the challenge from their Australian counterparts.
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