E5.9 Nationals: Newcomers make an impact but R+R wins again
by Gareth Howard - Elliott 5.9 Association 29 May 2022 03:48 PDT
29 May 2022
Still tight at the top mark - Elliott 5-9 Nationals - May 2022 © Russell Boating Club
The 2022 Elliott 5.9 National Championship was held across the three days in strong to blustery conditions, by the Russell Boating Club from 19 - 21 May in the picturesque Bay of Islands.
The venue proved to be a great location and the club's hospitality to the class was outstanding. A big thanks to the race day sponsors, North Sails, Harken and Mount Gay Rum.
Despite a building breeze on Day 1, the race committee, led by Megan Kensington, did well to get five races away on the first day. The breeze was out of the NW and strengthened as the day continued. With a short chop, it was challenging and tough sailing conditions.
Day 2 dawned with the threat of high winds. The breeze had changed to a more westerly direction and this presented a flatter and more manageable sea state. The race committee got away two races before sending the fleet home to avoid the developing 37 knot forecast breeze.
Day 3 looked like producing the most conducive sailing conditions. The breeze had backed further around to the SW and the fleet was again presented with relatively flat water. The breeze looked like 18 to 20 knots so the day was looking ideal for the remaining five races.
However, the breeze built beyond the forecast and the fleet found itself sailing in blustery and shifty conditions. This was a great test of sailing skill and for a number, a great test of seamanship. Credit must go to the race committee who got five quality races away despite gusts at times exceeding 25 knots with 30 degree wind shifts thrown in for good measure.
Over the three days, while the conditions were challenging, the fleet came home very satisfied with a good three days of competitive sailing, some good rides and the odd wipe out. It’s an ongoing credit to the Elliott 5.9 design that it can cope with this range of sailing conditions and still produce good quality close racing right throughout the fleet.
Again, there was no denying R+R (Craig Satterthwaite, Richard (Bart) Bearda, Ben Patterson). They again proved that consistency is the key to winning these championships. With a worst result of sixth, they again took the title from Slam Dunk (Stu Clark, Cam Horne, Stu Malloy). The ability of R+R to always remain toward the top end of the fleet is reflected in the fact that every other boat picked up a result of at least 11th or worse, such is the competitive nature of the fleet.
Two boats and crews that made their mark after extended absence for the fleet. Nevis/Blurr (Brian Kent, Bruce Goodchap, Keith Hogan) and Shapeshifter (Brett Elliott, Nick Bastow, Matthew Stuart)
Nevis/Blurr held third place after day one and went on to also pick up a race win along with three third places to eventually finish fourth overall.
Shapeshifter picked up three race wins, a second and a further three thirds to overtake Nevis/Blurr and eventually take third place overall.
Another eye-catching result came from local Northland boat Usaian Boat (Matt O’Maigh, Evan DeSilva, Elliot Bexon) who placed fifth overall. With this only being their second regatta in the fleet, they must be one to watch out for in the future.
In total, there were five different race winners and many boats will go away with a few what if’s. However, nearly all of the nationals fleet will be competing in the next Traveller Series to be held in Whitianga over 18 - 19th June, which is now just three weeks away.
Potentially this will be a record Traveller Series fleet and those with unfinished business will soon get their chance to get back into the thick of the action.
Full results online elliott59.weebly.com/results.html and pictures online www.facebook.com/elliott5.9
For more information on the Elliott 5.9 Class Association visit www.e59.org.nz
A full list of previous National Champions can be found online here elliott59.weebly.com/nz-national-champions
About The Elliott 5.9
??The Elliott 5.9 emerged in the early 1980’s as a high performing trailer yacht and continues to deliver competitive one design racing in a welcoming fleet of world-class sailors and novices alike. The boats started a revolution with their well-balanced and cost effective design, and quickly became the boat of choice for top club training schemes and a breeding ground for NZ’s America’s Cup, Ocean Race and Olympic champions.
Sailed by a crew of three, the Elliott 5.9 remains a low maintenance sailboat with an efficient single spreader fractional rig, a well-balanced sail plan and practical deck layout. Whether sailing among mixed trailer yachts, sport boat fleets or in a one design setting, the 5.9 is celebrated for its responsiveness and outstanding value.