Triple 888 and Panama Jack take Young 88 National titles

by Zoe Hawkins on 20 Apr 2009 www.northsails.co.nz!North_Sails cemented its claim at the top end of the Young 88 fleet during this weekend’s national champs.

With 27 boats entered in the championship event for New Zealand’s most popular one-design keelboat class, racing was always destined to be competitive to the extreme, with winners rewarded for their ability to capitalise on a great start with superior boat speed in all legs of the race.

National champions in the class have long turned to www.northsails.co.nz!North_Sails to best harness wind power, and this year was no exception. Both winners – Triple 888 (Rod Davis), and Panama Jack (Stefan Goldwater) in the owner/driver division (and fourth overall) – competed with North Sails wardrobes.

With Triple 888’s owner, Roger Pagani, in Italy to prepare for the World Final of the BMW Sailing Cup, which he qualified for at the BMW Auckland Regatta and Sailing Cup, Triple 888 was under the experienced helmsmanship of Rod Davis for the event. Taking three bullets for a total of 20 points, Triple 888 was eight points ahead of Flash Gordon. Sister Moonshine took third place, with 24 points.

A south-easterly on both days of racing provided a lumpy sea state. Following two general recalls on day one, the ‘I flag’ was a near-permanent fixture on the mast of the committee boat, but five races were conducted in 8-14 knots of breeze, followed up with three races on day two, in slightly stronger conditions ranging from 10-16 knots.

Customers of www.northsails.co.nz!North_Sails also took the top spots in the 2007 and 2008 Young 88 National Championships. 'This is a great class,' says marketing manager Andrew Wills, who skippered Abracadabra to victory in the event in 2008. 'It’s exciting to sail such similar, well prepared boats. Congratulations to all of the winners and prize winners.'

More information: www.rnzys.org.nz and for full results http://www.rnzys.org.nz/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=SXbe365rK8Q%3d&tabid=36!click_here