Joshua Weeks dominates at the Europe Dinghy New Zealand Championships

by Antje Muller on 8 Jan 2012

Joshua Weeks leading the fleet around the bottom mark - 2012 Europe Dinghy New Zealand Championships Andy Greager

A fantastic week of racing has come to a close in the Bay of Islands with a tight finish between top two sailors. This build-up to the Global Veteran Cup attracted sailors from all around the country, from Germany, and even from other classes.

World-Class OK Dinghy sailor and sailmaker Greg Wilcox joined the ranks as well as Napier OK and skiff sailor Joshua Weeks.

Organiser Andy Greager enjoying the sailing paradise of the Bay of Islands - 2012 Europe Dinghy New Zealand Championships © Andy Greager

His mother Susie is the secretary of the Europe Dinghy Association and also racing. Class veterans that have been around for over twenty years enjoyed their time on the water just as much as the novice of the fleet is McKayla Holloway who only started to sail a few months ago. The great cross-section of skills, age and sizes in the fleet illustrates the adaptability of this fun single-handed one-design class.

The conditions could not have been better. After a wet and windy Christmas season, the sun arrived in time for the first day of racing, according to the organisers thanks to a bottle of sunshine that had been delivered from Palmerston North who had enjoyed the warmest and sunniest December in years. Racing was very tight with many place changes throughout the fleet.

The sea breeze would start around 10 knots for the first race and then build to maybe 15 knots. On the first day, Antje Muller dominated thanks to her superior downwind performance, but by the end of the second day, Joshua Weeks had figured out how to drive a Europe Dinghy downwind and was not beaten again. He is so enthusiastic about his first stint in the class that he has changed his plans to participate in the Open South Pacific Championships this week as well.

Highlight of the social programme was the excursion to Roberton Island on the Committee Boat Sarrie. Perfect sailing conditions made for a nice passage, and then the sailors relaxed in the warm lagoon or walked up to the lookout to survey the many islands of the Bay.

Further details on the races as well as full results are publishes on www.boiyachtclub.co.nz in the News section, and additional photos can be viewed on the Bay of Islands Yacht Club facebook page.