Final Report BIC Techno Oceania's and RS-X Nationals

by Brian Haybittle on 21 Feb 2012
February proved again that the wind can be very shifty and light for running events. Great for socialising on the beach but more difficult for setting courses. The boards again took to the water after lunch and only managed one short race in each class before the wind dropped. Even though the wind was onshore it proved to be very shifty.

The Techno competition doubled as the Oceania's and the NZ Nationals. We had four from Noumea and one from Australia as well as a bunch of new sailors in this class. For the first time at a Techno Nationals we had a small Green Fleet that was mentored and coached by World Class Coach Grant Beck.

Grant Beck's impression of the Techno Fleet was that Australian Jessica Crisp is truly World Class. The New Caledonians proved that they are better in the light and unfortunately with the lack of wind couldn't prove how quick they really are in the breeze too! All though they did demonstrate this the previous weekend at Junior Sail Auckland at Kohimarama.

The regatta proved to be very competitive throughout the middle of the fleet with many close battles being fought in the ages groups. Technos have under 17 and under 15 male and female classes as well as the newly formed Green Fleet. There were numerous lead changes upwind and those with strong downwind pumping technique were the fastest downwind. Alex Hart from Tauranga recovered from a drop sail on the start line to win the final race. Alohkaa Pequeux and Under 15 Boy Finn Croft came second and third.

Manu Goyard of New Caledonia brought a very capable team from New Caledonia. They had a great time here sailing for three weeks at the Sail Auckland, Junior Sail Auckland and the Techno Oceania's. They were made to feel very welcome. Charter boards were made available from the Techno Association and BoPSAT. New Caledonia is again looking to host any Techno Sailors wanting to race in their Nationals in late November early December. This will be held most likely in Noumea this year.

In the RS:X Fleet Antonio Cozzolino won the Open Men's. He was very proud to be at an event that celebrates Windsurfing in NZ. He felt honoured to be around such a great bunch of sailors and in particular all the Juniors on their Techno's 'The future of his sport'. He would like to thank his Parents, High Performance Sport and his good friend and training buddy Tom Ashley. According to Grant Beck the results didn't show how close the fleets were. In most races the leads changed often due to the shifty wind.


Overall Results:
Techno Oceania's and NZ Nationals
Overall Winner: Alohkaa Pequeux FRA ACVP
Open Boys: Aaron Gibb-Pearson Wakatere
Open Girls: Paris Stowell RFBYC
Under 15 Boys: Finn Croft Manly
Under 15 Girls: Maiya Holton Takapuna
Under 17 Boys: Alohkaa Pequeux ACVP
Under 17 Boys (NZ): Alex Hart TYPBC
Under 17 Girls: Xanthe Bowater NPCL
Green Fleet: Hilary Comber

RS:X Results:
Mens 9.5: Antonio Cozzolino NZL Wakatere
Women 8.5: Jessica Crisp AUS MHYC
Youth Men 8.5 Quentin Cottereau FRA ACPV
Youth Women 8.5 Audrey Yong SIN SAFYC

https://www.facebook.com/pages/RSX-and-Techno-Association-of-NZ/283652325034783?sk=wall
http://www.manlysailingclub.org.nz/
http://www.windsurfingnz.org/category/windsurfing/competition/racing/class/techno293