Serious Fun - 2012 Quayside Marine Elliott 5.9 Nationals, Marsden Cove

by NZ Elliott 5.9 Class Assn Media on 6 Mar 2012
The 2012 Elliott 5.9 Nationals will be sailed from Thursday March 8 to Sunday March 11 2012 from the Marsden Cove Marina, hosted by Onerahi Yacht Club. The course area will be the waters of Bream Bay, outside the Whangarei harbour.

The 2012 fleet will be markedly bigger than in 2011 reflecting growth in active boats, particularly around the North Island. Opua is currently has most activity with around 8 boats actively club racing with the Opua Cruising Club and will provide strong representation.

However the top competitors are likely to come from further south including the evergreen Zoot Allures (Dave Cochran) and Hobo (Rob Ward), both representing the host club.

Auckland is sending a strong contingent led by defending NZ champs Simon Manning and Andy Robertson (RAYC) - this year sailing The Blurr with regular bowman Phil Quinn. Multiple national champion Slam Dunk (RNZYS - Cam Horne, Nick Bastow and Brett Elliott) and Brzo (RNZYS - Gillian Williams, Andrew Cooke and Nathan Williams) are also both expected fight out the top placings.

The other strong contender, Erotic will be sailed by usual crew Sam Edwards (Picton) Keith Hogan (Auckland) and Greg Wagstaff (Wellington). This team has been together for many years and has won multiple national titles together.

Last year's national champion, Voodoo, will be making a reappearance after a r12 month efurbishment programme and will be sailed by a crew of Flying 15 sailors, helmed by Craig Coulam (RAYC, Auckland).

The regatta commences on Thursday 8 March with measuring and the class AGM, with racing taking place from Friday to Sunday.

Offering close racing and great social events built around a North Island weekend 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! There are active fleets in Opua, Whangarei, Auckland, Wellington, and New Plymouth with boats in other venues like Picton, Lyttleton and Queenstown.

The Elliott 5.9 Class Association operates a Facebook page (www.facebook.com/elliott5.9) that contains details of events, boats for sale and many photos. Boats for sale are listed as well as gear layout shots.