Please select your home edition
Edition
TNI Pindar SW Ads_728x90px-5 TOP

Record fleet at 29er National Championships

by Yachting NZ 15 Jul 2020 20:05 NZST
Record fleet numbers at the 29er Nationals in the Bay of Islands © Yachting New Zealand

Mattias Coutts and Cailen Rochford emerged from a strong field of 40 boats at the 29er national championships in the Bay of Islands.

The Manly Sailing Club pair narrowly beat George Lee Rush and Josh Schon from the Wakatere Boating Club, with Brayden Hamilton (WBC) and Seb Menzies (Murrays Bay Sailing Club) third.

Both top teams ended up tied on 30 points each with Coutts and Rochford winning on countback and going into the final day any boat in the top 10 could have taken out the title.

The first female team was Alex Maloney and Molly Meech, second was the youngest female team of Lucy Leith and Lizzie Shapland (MBSC) and third went to Sophia Fyfe (MCC) and Ella Gladwell (WBC).

There was a good mixture of top youth sailors, juniors stepping up, a strong contingent of female and mixed combinations as well as a handful of well-known faces on the start line. Two teams from Nelson made the journey North, which was a great effort.

No racing was possible on the first day due to light winds and unsettled conditions but race management packed in five races on days two and three. Maloney and Meech, who are used to intense racing, commented on how tough it was.

"With such a big fleet it was superb racing in mostly moderate wind conditions but it also meant very tricky starts given the number of boats and occasional wind lulls. There were plenty of overtaking lanes given the significant variations in pressure across the course in most races, making it impossible to defend a lead against all boats, so it was a case of making sure teams posted consistent scores to minimise the damage."

There has been an influx of sailors into the 29er class in recent times, and there was also several new combinations, mostly due to the cancellation of this year's Youth Sailing World Championships in Brazil, which provided several exciting sub-plots.

"You can't beat good quality racing in big fleets," Yachting New Zealand talent development manager Geoff Woolley said. "This was an opportunity to stay race sharp, and without a doubt, this is the biggest youth double-handed class event in this country in recent history and the biggest 29er regatta ever in New Zealand. This quality fleet fills the void of not being able to travel."

It's one of the reasons why Maloney and Meech were on the start line. The Olympic silver medallists, who won the 29er national title together in 2011, competed along with three-time 18-foot skiff world champion David McDiarmid, who teamed up with two-time Youth Worlds 29er medallist Kate Stewart.

On top of that, youth worlds silver medallist Seb Lardies competed with Pat Morgan, and former 29er world champions Crystal Sun and Olivia Hobbs also jumped back into the boat after spending the last couple of years in the 49erFX.

"It's awesome that a bunch of former 29er sailors and senior skiff sailors are looking at an event to do," said Woolley, who won the 29er national title with Mark Overington in both 2001 and 2002. "It's something we encourage."

"It's a fun class, and there are good numbers building, so it's some of the best racing you will get at the moment in New Zealand. This country has an excellent history in the 29er, and there is a lot of knowledge people can tap into with recent sailors and coaches."

Full results here.

Related Articles

29er EuroCup at Alsóörs overall
The championship concluded with a dominant Hungarian performance Alsóörs hosted the 29er European Cup and National Championship last weekend, an event marked by challenging wind conditions and thrilling finishes. Over the course of three days, 26 teams from five countries competed in nine races on Lake Balaton. Posted on 22 Sep
29er EuroCup at Alsóörs day 2
A refreshing southwesterly breeze at Lake Balaton Today's weather forecast once again proved accurate, bringing a refreshing southwesterly breeze to Lake Balaton. Posted on 20 Sep
29er EuroCup at Alsóörs Marina Sailing Club day 1
The weather matched the forecast perfectly The 29er EuroCup started today, organized by the Alsóörs Marina Sailing Club. Following the ceremonial opening, competitors attended the skippers' meeting where Race Officer Péter Farkas, IRO, introduced the officials and outlined the day's schedule. Posted on 18 Sep
Introducing the Youth Sailing Worlds GBR Team
The countdown to Portugal begins as this year's talented squad is announced Sixteen of the nation's top young sailors have been selected to represent Great Britain at the prestigious Youth Sailing World Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal, taking place 12-20 December 2025. Posted on 18 Sep
29er European Cup set to begin in Alsóörs
Hosted by the Alsóörs Marina Sailing Club The 29er European Cup and Hungarian Championship will officially start tomorrow, hosted by the Alsóörs Marina Sailing Club. Posted on 17 Sep
The Soak Insure Tide Ride Returns in 2025
Bigger, Faster, and More Exciting Than Ever! Following the roaring success of its comeback in 2024, the Soak Insure Tide Ride will return to Hayling Island Sailing Club in 2025 for two thrilling days of high-octane racing, running Saturday 8th November to Sunday 9th November. Posted on 14 Sep
Meet the fleet: Lucas and Moritz Hamm
Interview with the 2025 European Champions Interview with the 2025 European Champions after they won their first big international title on Lake Garda. Posted on 31 Aug
29er World Sailing Championship Porto concludes
More than 400 young sailors, representing 26 countries, battled intense conditions The vibrant Atlantic coast of Porto hosted a spectacular week of high-stakes sailing as the 29er Porto World Sailing Championship 2025 came to an exhilarating close. Posted on 10 Aug
29er World Championship at Porto overall
Danish–Norwegian team of Nicklas Holt and Philip Forslund crowned champions The 2025 29er World Championship in Porto ended in high suspense — but no further racing. The results from yesterday held firm after light winds kept the fleet ashore until the final possible start time at 4:00 p.m. Posted on 8 Aug
29er World Championship at Porto Day 5
Yet another shift in the competition The penultimate day of the 2025 29er World Championship in Porto brought yet another shift in the competition, as light wind conditions continued to challenge sailors and reshuffle the standings. Posted on 7 Aug
Vetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTERKZRaceFurlersSwitch One Design