WASSUP? Magic 25 Nationals – Bucks April 9th & 10th 2011 - That's what
by Anne Hirst on 12 Apr 2011
Anne Hirst
What happens when you get the Magic 25’s together? Some outstanding, one design sportboat racing - very close racing, no room for error, and plenty of stories at the club!
The NZ Magic 25 Championships, held on 9-10 April by the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club in the Waitemata harbour was a great example of this! Eight windward leewards over two days for glory and the impressive trophy!
The event was supported by our generous sponsors – Harken, Burnsco and Doyles Sails. Huge thanks go to Garry Lock and George Clark of Harken, Peter Davidson of Burnsco and Gavin McPherson of Doyles.
Weather for both days was sunny, with glassy conditions in the mornings but building in the afternoons. The Race Officer, Teresa Tootill, Hamish Tait, Andrew Walker and their teams did an outstanding job getting 8 races away, including two one-lap races – very intense – with four boats finishing within 5 seconds of each other for one of them!
After the first day the fleet was very close – only three points separating the top three boats, with Team Sex two points ahead of the fleet, and a forecast of no wind for the following day. Much was hoped for by Team Sex over a delicious dinner at BBYC and a few too many rums afterwards…
On the second day, after a delayed start (and more hope from Team Sex!), the racing started. Wassup, with new owner and helm, Gavin McPherson from Doyles pulled an amazing three-wins out of three races to come out ahead to win the trophy. Despite being his first time as owner, Gavin has been sailing Magics on and off for over ten years, and will now have his name on the trophy for the forth time!
Second for the regatta, was Maine Magic, with Erwan Grossman and his European team – who are nominated for ‘Most Dedicated’ award for sleeping in the carpark! And third was Team Sex, helmed by Simon Everest, recently returned from sailing SB3 sportboats in the UK.
The Magics were sailed back to Westhaven after racing, and then the lucky crews transported back to BBYC for the prizegiving by Cliff Gordon (skipper of the Magic 25, ‘Sign It’) on his very comfortable launch!
Background to Magic 25's
Magic 25’s are one design sportsyachts, designed by Ian Murray and Associates in Australia for speed and close racing. They are four-man boats with three trapezes. They use a 2m prod to support a gennaker and the boats have been known to reach speeds of 25 knots downwind. The keel is a retractable fin with torpedo, the mast is carbon, and there is a hydraulic mast ram to deliver an active rig.
Basically the Magics deliver skiff-rated adrenaline, but with a greater chance of staying dry!
There are fleets in New Zealand (Auckland), Australia and Hong Kong.
If you are interested in the Magics, please contact the New Zealand Magic Association President Anne Hirst on anne@phenomenon.co.nz
Secretary Pete Davidson peter@burnsco.co.nz
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