Stefan Goldwater and team take National Keel Boat Championship Title!
by Mark Overington on 7 May 2010
Perfect sailing conditions day three - NZ National Keelboat Championships Mark Overington
The 2010 Club Marine NZ Keelboat Championships concluded with Stefan Goldwater and his team of Alistair Gair, Jason Herbert, Derek Scott and G (Matt Kelway), taking the title comfortably ahead of Simon Dickey and crew in second place and Reuben Corbett and crew third overall.
The 12 race regatta started on Friday in light winds in which Reuben Corbett's team shone and claimed 3 out of 5 bullets on day one. Day two brought more breeze and the Platu yachts showed their pace and excelled in the stronger breezes giving the crews some exciting and exhilarating racing in which Stefan Goldwater and team gained the lead. On the third and final day it was like summer had returned with perfect sailing breezes and Stefan Goldwater remained super consistent to take the win and finish the series with only two races outside the top two!
Simon Dickey produced a few great races on day two and three to keep his team in the hunt. With a race to go, Simon Dickey (crew - Andrew Barron, Dave Cosgrove, Conan Hunt and Martyn Baker) and Reuben Corbett (crew Brad Farrand, Adrian Short, James Sandall and Thomas Bentham) were tied on points. In the final race Simon ultimately broke the deadlock in points by finishing third with Reuben in fourth.
The regatta once again was well run by Fred Price and his team from the Royal Akarana Yacht Club completing all the 12 races scheduled in a variety of conditions. The two overseas competing teams thoroughly enjoyed the experience of racing against the top NZ sailors and have promised to be back next year better for the experience.
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