Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series #1: Close racing in light airs - six winners from nine races
by Gareth Howard 23 Apr 2022 10:57 PDT
24 April 2022
2022 Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series © Tony Poolman
Light breezes were a feature of the Rotoiti Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series #1 but this did not detract from some incredibly tight and close racing.
R+R (Craig Sattherwaite, Phil Jamieson, Stu Betthany) were deserved winners but they did not have it all their own way. There were six different race winners across the nine races completed but no one else could match R+R's overall consistency. R+R eventually picked up three race wins and a run of other top five placings with their only real blemish an OCS (on course side) in race 6.
After a slightly slower start in the first two races, Slam Dunk (Stu Clarke, Cam Horne, Stu Molloy) found good form through the middle of the regatta to pick up second overall. At ten points behind R+R, Slam Dunk may be ruining the OCS which potentially cost them the outright win.
Blurr (Simon Manning, Andy Roberston, Carl Syman) made a successful return to the fleet to pick up third overall including two race wins. Not only will Blurr be pleased with their well deserved third place, they also managed to hold off the youth team which was led by Simon Manning's son, Jack, on Voodoo.
Voodoo hit their stride in the middle section of the regatta and seemed to relish the light air. They opened the second day by crossing the line first in Race 5. They then followed this up with a second in Race 6, only to find that they were OCS in Race 5. Another OCS in the last race pushed them down the overall results, but this youth team was definitely competitive.
Top rookie prize went to Ice Breaker (Tom Maidment, Olly Maidment and Stefano) sailing Icebreaker. Icebreaker picked up seventh overall including a couple of top 5 placings.
With a fleet of 15 competitive boats on the start line, light conditions and a forecast that indicated racing may be unlikely, the race committee from BOPTYS did a great job to get the nine race starts away.
Again, the one design Elliott 5.9 provided really tight and competitive racing. There were some great downwind tussles as each boat searched out small gains. Mark roundings were incredibly tight with 10 boats plus converging on the bottom gate marks at the same time. Tactical awareness and boat positioning played a major part in achieving consistent results.
The Elliott 5.9 fleet will hit the road again for the Nationals Championships to be held at Russell 19 - 22 May. With up to 20 boats expected and an amazing location, another close competitive and enjoyable regatta is expected.
Full results here.
For more information on the Elliott 5.9 Class Association visit e59.org.nz
A full list of previous Champions is here