Voodoo takes out 2010 Elliott 5.9 Auckland Champs

by Elliott 5.9 Class Association on 10 May 2010
Voodoo (Simon Manning, Andy Robertson and Phil Quinn - RAYC) was the convincing winner of the 2010 Elliott 5.9 Auckland Champs. Winning 6 of the 8 races, Voodoo finished comfortably ahead of current national champions Slam Dunk (Cameron Horne, Brett Elliott and Miles Addy).

The regatta was well managed by BBYC and sailed in conjunction with the SR26 National Champs.

With a forboding forecast on Sunday, the sailors were prepared for a windy and wet day of racing however this did not eventuate. Instead of rain, the two fleets enjoyed mild temperatures, a 10-15 knot breeze with flat water - and some very tight racing.

With a relatively comfortable lead going into the last three races, Voodoo made sure of the regatta with an all-the-way win in Race 6. Slam Dunk was second by a whisker over the fast finishing Sub 60 (Stu Clarke, Chris MacIndoe and Chris Funnell - Auckland).

In the next race, the first four boats had a close battle with Slam Dunk and Voodoo eventually crossing the finish line side by side - Slam Dunk taking it by a nose. Brzo (Gillian Williams, Andrew Cooke and Nathan Williams - Auckland) took third but again showed great speed all race.

With positions cemented prior to the final race, the fleet enjoyed another close tussle in beautiful sailing conditions. This time Voodoo broke clear and the other three leading boats fought each other around the course with Slam Dunk eventually taking her sixth second placing of the regatta.

Voodoo wins the Auckland champs for 2010, and takes a early lead in the 2010 Appleton Estate Traveller series. Brzo finished third behind Slam Dunk with Sub60 fourth. Elliott Goblit hlemed by Miranda Powrie finished fifth.

The next event in the Appleton Estate series will be hosted by Opua Cruising Club over the weekend of June 19-20. Later events are in Marsden Cove, Tauranga and Turangi.

Offering close racing and great social events built around the North Island regatta circuit, the Elliott 5.9 class is the perfect 3-person syndicate boat. The class is relatively low maintenance and is sailed by a crew of 3. No rail meat - everyone has a job!

Used boats range from $9,000 to $25,000. Fleets exist in Opua, Whangarei, Auckland, Tauranga and Plimmerton in the North Island, as well as Queenstown and Christchurch in the South Island.

For enquiries about the Elliott 5.9 class, please go to www.e59.org.nz and click on Contacts.