Flying Fifteen New Zealand National Championship 2023 at Lake Taupo Yacht Club
by Sally Garrett 16 Nov 2023 15:16 PST
11-12 November 2023
Thirteen Flying 15 from across the North Island converged on Taupo last weekend for the 2023 New Zealand National Championship. The fleet included six of the boats that travelled to Fremantle for the World Championship in March, plus sailors from Whangeri, Napier and Wellington.
The entire of the North Island was covered by a strong high pressure for the three days of the regatta, bringing clear skies, sun, excellent visibility and yes little wind. Ruapehu covered in snow was visible throughout the racing. The sailing was mentally tough with only one race a day completed on Friday and Saturday, then a flurry of 4 races on Sunday.
Hayden Percy and Scott Pederson sailing their beloved Fflorin won the first three races of the event, showing once again that silver boats are still competitive. They showed good speed in mirror to 5 knots, navigating between the puffs to stay out in front. Behind them the fleet was incredibly tight with 7 boats finishing in just over 30 seconds in the first race.
On Sunday with winds rising to maybe 6 knots the President found her speed as her crew Neil Easton finally made it to the windward side of the cockpit allowing them to win the 4th race of the event.
The last race was won by Wayne Avery and Jake Pye, a new combination from Auckland. Jake is better known for his successes in the foiling moth, being NZ and UK National Champion in the International Moth and also leading the World Champs until it was abandoned due to lack of wind.
Off the water the fleet enjoyed the camaraderie of the NZ Sport Boat fleet joining them at Two Mile Sailing Club for beer and pizza. The next event on the calendar is the Auckland Champs at Royal Akarana Yacht Club December 9 and 10, where the fleet will race with the Sport Boats, SR26 keelboats and the 18ft Skiffs.
Overall Results:
1st All female crew - FFortune - Jenny Price and Alana Pooley
1st Mixed crew - The GodFFather - Sally Garrett and Neil Easton
1st Skipper over 60 not in the top three - Rob Ward
1st Silver Boat - FFlorin - Hayden Percy and Scott Pederson
1st Classic Boat - FFidgit - Daren Courtnage and Alan Swinney
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 3091 | Hayden Percy | Scott Pedersen | Napier | OTL | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 1 | ‑8 | 11 |
| 2 | 3662 | Wayne Avery | Jake Pye | Manly sailing club | OTL | ‑10 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 14 |
| 3 | 3840 | Murray Gilbert | Jonathan Burgess | Royal Port Nicholson YC | OTL | 2 | ‑4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 14 |
| 4 | NZL 4003 | Sally Garrett | Neil Easton | Royal Akarana Yacht Club | OTL | ‑7 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 17 |
| 5 | 3714 | Rob Ward | Mike Valiant | Onerahi yacht club | OTL | 6 | 5 | 3 | 5 | ‑7 | 3 | 22 |
| 6 | NZL 3841 | Marc Richardson | David McIntyre | Sandspit Yacht Club | OTL | ‑9 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 27 |
| 7 | NZL3740 | Sarah Reynolds | Peter Macartney | Royal Akarana / Ponsonby Cr | OTL | 5 | 7 | 5 | 6 | ‑10 | 6 | 29 |
| 8 | NZL 3754 | Gavin Earle | Graeme Robinson | Napier Sailing Club | OTL | 3 | ‑9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 35 |
| 9 | 3771 | Sel Pedersen | Nathan Percy | Napier | OTL | 8 | ‑10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 36 |
| 10 | NZL 3739 | Jenny Price | Alana Pooley | RAYC | OTL | 4 | ‑11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 43 |
| 11 | 3088 | Andrew Fowler | Steve Potbury | Napier Sailing Club | OTL | (DNF) | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 52 |
| 12 | 39 | Daren Courtnage | Alan Swinney | Paremata | OTL | 11 | (DNF) | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 59 |
| 13 | 3552 | ROGER KNIGHTLY | ALLAN DRAFFIN | ONERAHI YACHT CLUB | OTL | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 70 |