Strong Elliott 5.9 fleet to contest open round of Traveller Series
by Gareth Howard 3 Apr 2022 03:20 PDT
9-10 April 2022
Slam Dunk - Lake Rotoiti 2021 © Elliott 5.9 Association
The opening round of the Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series will be held at Lake Rotoiti this weekend: 9 - 10 April.
Again, the fleet has attracted a strong entry list and all boats will be wanting to make a strong start to the series. As well, this event is a good hit out before the Russell based Nationals to be held 19 - 22 May.
After a very strong season last year, R+R, campaigned by Craig Sattherwaite and Richard (Bart) Breada, will start as the boat to beat. However, a number of boats with recent changes will also be hoping to get amongst the action.
Reggae Shark (formerly SMAK), helmed by Ian Baker, now has some Elliott 5.9 regatta experience behind them. Ian is likely to use this experience to push this well performed boat to the front of the fleet.
UsainBoat (formerly Blown Away) will see Matt O'Maigh from Opua start their Elliott 5.9 campaign with an eye toward the nationals on home waters in May.
Animal Crackers returns to the fleet after a period of absence. Animal Crackers will be campaigned by David Plowman and Liz Hill. Dave and Liz previously campaigned Shock Treatment and will be looking forward to testing the fleet with the well set up Animal Crackers.
Some interest will also focus on a couple of returning boats and crew. Simon Manning and Andy Roberston are making a long awaited return to the class, campaigning Blurr. As three time previous national champions in the class, they will obviously be hoping to be near the front of the fleet.
Extra interest will also focus on the relative performance of Blurr against Voodoo. Voodoo will be led by Simon's son, Jack Manning, who is heading up a youth team sailing Voodoo.
Jack has a very successful sailing CV, especially in the Starlings. Jack and his team on Voodoo will also expect to have competition from another youth program team. Reverly, who's owner Richard Moyle is out of action due to injury, has kindly made his boat available to a second youth team. It's great to see the one design Elliott 5.9 class, with its close racing and world class sailors, who are only too willing to share, keep up some of its youth training tradition.
Jo Lowery, who is based out of Christchurch, will be the most travelled of the fleet this year. Jo will again campaign Bob. Rumour has it there have been a couple of up grades, including some new sails.
With 15 or 16 boats overall expected on the start line for Rotoiti, the class again finds itself in good health. With regulars returning, crew changes, youth teams and upgrades, Rotoiti is shaping as a very interesting and competitive regatta.
There will be the traditional Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series Friday rigging catch up and the BOPTYS, who are hosting the reggatta, have arranged a Elliott 5.9 Class BBQ for the Saturday night.
Full results will be available online here and pictures online.
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.