One Design Elliott 5.9s gear up for their flagship 2022 Traveller Series
by Gareth Howard 16 Mar 2022 05:42 PDT
9-10 April 2022
Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series © Elliott 5.9 Class Association
As other sailing events start to wind down, the very successful Elliott 5.9 fleet are again gearing up for their hugely successful Traveller Series.
The 2022 Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series will run from April to September and will also incorporate the Elliott 5.9 National Championship. The full series consists of five events:
Traveller Series # 1 9 - 10 April Rotoiti
Traveller Series # 2 19 - 22 May Russell Bay of Islands (Nationals)
Traveller Series # 3 18 - 19 June Whitianga
Traveller Series # 4 13 - 14 August Bucklands Beach TBC
Traveller Series # 5 24 - 25 September Sandspit
After a great 2021 series, which attracted 20 boats, Stu Clarke, the Elliott 5.9 Class Association president, is expecting another very successful series.
With a couple of boats changing hands and some boats returning from a short break, the class not only expects to build on the Traveller Series but also strengthen the 16 boat strong 2021 nationals fleet when it holds the 2022 nationals in the iconic Bay of Islands at Russell.
Stu feels that the continued success and growth of the class comes down to a few significant points. The class is one design and this makes for really cost effective and close competitive racing. The boats are also easy to hook up to the car and tow around the country so it's really simple to get to some great sailing locations.
The Class Association has also settled on a strong formula for the Traveller Series, with five events targeted over the winter months leaving the summer months free for family and other sailing or sporting pursuits. This definitely works in attracting some of New Zealand's top sailors and the results board continues to have a list of America's Cup, Round the World and Olympic sailors
While the sailing is close and competitive, the social side is also great. With a crew of three, not only does everyone have a job on board, there is a good number and mix of people to ensure a good positive social atmosphere on shore.
While the class is currently in good heart, proven by the good fleets and competitive sailors involved, the class association is also looking ahead beyond the 2022 Traveller Series.
With a now well established South Island fleet, which held the inaugural Elliott 5.9 South Island Camps last year, the class is looking to potentially support and promote a South Island based Summer Circuit to further enhance the one design Elliott 5.9 experience.
The class is also discounting the 2022 Traveller Series entry fee for South Island based boats to support their effort and extra cost involved in competing in the 2022 Traveller Series.
With the Traveller Series #1 at Rotoiti now less than four weeks away with good early entries, the Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series is ready to roll.
Full results will be available online here and pictures on Facebook page here.
For more information on the Elliott 5.9 Class Association visit e59.org.nz.
A full list of previous Champions can be found online here.