North Sails 2010 International 420 Class NZ National Championships

by A Dunning on 25 Feb 2010 Day 1:
It was a frustrating day on the water off Murrays Bay today with the race committee having to contend with extremely variable wind conditions. The start of race 1 was delayed and then required 2 course changes as the wind shifted 1200half way through the race. A lot of mark shifting and flag flying ensued with the course finally shortened to complete Race 1.
Race 1 Results: first James Turner & Logan Dunning Beck
2nd Tomer Simhony & Brad Moss
3rd Khairunnnisa Afendy & Norashikin Sayed (Malaysia)


Following Race 1 the race committee faced weakening and unstable wind conditions. The course was moved several times and at one stage the Americas cup boats could be seen sailing down the harbour under spinnaker in a S breeze while the 420 sailors sailed up the harbour with spinnakers in a NE breeze!

After a delay of several hours, a race Abandonment and a General Recall, race 2 was held.
Race 2 Results: first Ky Anas & Moho Hafizyddin (Malaysia)
2nd Stacey Swanson & Alice Pearson
3rd Sam MacKay & Wade Tresadern

Race 3 begun around 5pm under the I and Z flags. The southerly wind settled in at 12 to 15 knots. James and Logan took an early lead and extended it throughout the race to win buy over a minute from the next boat.
Race 3 Results: first James Turner & Logan Dunning Beck
2nd Ky Anas & Moho Hafizyddin (Malaysia)
3rd Thomas Saunders & Chris Steele

It is an excellent fleet competing in the 420 Nationals with 30 boats sailing. For many of the crews it is their first regatta and while a couple of the female crews would have been pleased to be right up there on the start line, one of them had 3 OCS results and the other crew had 2x OCS's!

Racing is scheduled through to Sunday with the 470 Fleet joining in tomorrow for their North Island Championships.
Full results will be available from The Murrays Bay Sailing Club website. http://www.murraysbay.org/