R+R wins the Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series at Whitianga
by Gareth Howard - Elliott 5.9 Association 24 Jul 2023 10:16 UTC
24 July 2023
R R hold out Reggae Shark - Elliott 5.9 Travellers Trophy Whitianga, July 2023 © Elliott 5.9 Class
After a couple of regattas away, R+R made a triumphant return to the Harken Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series. After a solid first day, R+R dominated the second day to take out a convincing overall win.
Day 1: Conditions on the first day were relatively light and offshore. This breeze built throughout the day and allowed the race committee to get six races in for the day. The offshore breeze created a number of opportunities and all of the leading contenders managed some good results. However, everyone also came home with a result that they would probably prefer to forget.
Day 2: The breeze was still offshore, but had built in intensity and continued to build as the day went on. With some strong gusts, lanes of breeze and flat water, there were some great rides to be had downwind. However, these gusty conditions were also a good test of boat control and some good wipe outs were had by a number of crew. These wipeouts and general loss of control would prove very expensive on the points table with the close racing meaning any error was severely punished.
It was R+R who used their experience to make the most of these conditions. While others struggled for consistency, R+R put on a bit of a master class to rattle off three straight wins, before a sixth in the last race, to convincingly take out the Harken Whitianga Traveller Series event.
The challenge from Shapeshifter and Slam Dunk never really eventuated. While both boats had some good results, they also had a couple of results that put them well back in the fleet. These higher scoring races meant that they were never really able to apply the required pressure to R+R and eventually Shapeshifetre had to settle for second and Slam Dunk third.
In the overall Harken Traveller Series, Shapeshifter holds a commanding lead but the battle for the remaining podium places seems to be heating up. Reggae Shark and Revelry currently hold second and third overall but if Slam Dunk and R+R can keep placing toward the top of the fleet over the next two regatta, then this points table will continue to tighten up.
Interestingly, most boats struggled to sail above their ranking at this regatta. This may well have been a result of the conditions that meant everyone had a number of mixed results. Eventually, it was Reggae Shark who continued their on-going good season form to take out the Harken Ranking Award.
As always, Mercury Bay Boating Club put on a great regatta. Phil Hart and Jonathon Kline always go out of their way to look after the class and after the challenging year that the club has had, the Elliott 5.9 Class is again grateful to be able sail out of Whitianga
The next Harken Traveller Series regatta is Opua 9 - 10 September.
Follow results and pictures online www.facebook.com/elliott5.9 and for more information on the Elliott 5.9 Class Association visit www.e59.org.nz
Previous results can be found here elliott59.weebly.com/results.html
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 become 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.