Big fleet contest 2020 Property Brokers NZ O'pen Skiff Nationals
by Di Goodall 17 Jan 2020 14:23 PST
18 January 2020
2020 Property Brokers NZ O'pen Skiff National Championships - Napier - January 2020 © Bob Sheldrake, Napier Sailing Club
The 2020 Property Brokers NZ O’pen Skiff National Championships finished in Napier on Sunday.
Around 60 sailors competed in the nationals Under 13 and Under 17 divisions held at the Napier Sailing Club – 10-12 January 2020. Competitors came from throughout New Zealand with eight competitors entered from Hawaii.
Sir Russell Coutts who supports the O’pen Skiff class described it as a popular class with a growing fleet and exciting prospects. “These championships really allow young sailors to push themselves and have fun at the same time. The nationals have really set the scene for taking a good squad to the O’pen Skiff World Championships in Calasetta, Sardina Italy in July this year,” Sir Russell Coutts said.
Winner details:
Under 17 Division – New Zealand title
1ST Ben Tapper – Manly Sailing Club Auckland (age 14)
2nd Jack White – Marakura Yacht Club (age 13)
3rd Jack Callear – Paremata Boating Club (age 14)
Under 13 Division – New Zealand title
1st Finn Pye - Manly Sailing Club Auckland (age 11)
2nd Kosta Gladiadis - Manly Sailing Club Auckland (age 11)
3rd Makani Andrews – Kaneohe Yacht Club (age 12)
Conditions during the three day competition were favourable with 4 to 13 knot winds with sailors contesting nine races on a Trapezoid Course.
A number of competitors will go onto complete in the O’pen Skiff World Championships in Calasetta, Sardina Italy - 12-18 July 2020.