North Sails retains the NZ Marine Industry Sailing Challenge Trophy
by Tom Macky on 27 Apr 2012
North Sail's Paul Murray and crew sneak along the wharves out of the tide - 2012 NZ Marine Industry Sailing Challenge Tom Macky
The 2012 NZ Marine Sailing Challenge was sailed in a fickle light easterly breeze which had the fleet struggling to make headway against a strong incoming tide. Owen Rutter’s Events clothing team joined the regular competitors and we welcomed back Yachting Developments after a break last year.
From the start Brin Wilson Boatbuilders, Touch of Gloss and Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders struggled to make the starting line whilst North Sails lead by Paul Murray took the early lead being first to the Westhaven breakwater and out of the tide.
A tacking duel up the wharves followed with Mat Mason and Ryan Houston on Ovlov Marine chasing hard, closely followed by Ian Cook’s Yachting Development’s team and Peter Busfield, NZ Marine and guests.
Meanwhile Cameron Dunn on Club Marine went looking for the Sanya lift on the northern side of the harbour without any joy. Later Events Clothing with Chris Steele on the helm tried to work North from Stanley Point with a similar result.
In the end North Sails were in front when time ran out and held on to the NZ Marine Industry Sailing Challenge Trophy for another year and Events Clothing won the Perseverance Trophy for their persistence at Stanley Point and making the most ground North in the fleet.
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