Elliott 5.9s: Boat One continues dominance in South Island Southern Circuit at Naval Point Boat 1
by Mark Howard - Elliott 5.9 Association 16 Dec 2023 17:46 PST
17 December 2023
Elliott 5.9s sailing in the 2023 South Island Southern Circuit © Elliott 5.9
Shane Smith's dominance aboard Boat One continued in the Elliott 5.9 Southern Circuit Round 1, recently hosted by the Naval Point Yacht Club in Lyttelton. The weekend kicked off with a robust cold southerly front on Friday, leading to a chilly rig-up.
Saturday brought sunny skies and a light southerly breeze, shifting east at midday. After a brief delay, racing unfolded into a light, building, and shifty easterly, featuring four races, with Boat One securing three victories. Andrew McFarlane on Retro claimed his first race win in his new boat.
Post-racing, crews gathered at the club for a debrief, accompanied by burgers and beers for dinner.
Sunday's weather mirrored Saturday, with a consistent easterly breeze reaching 15 knots. Three closely contested races ensued, marked by lead changes, yet Boat One maintained its lead in each race. The starts were hotly contested, with Eagle restarting in race 6 and clawing back to 4th place.
In the chasing pack, Seamus Tredinnick on Magpie secured second overall, two points ahead of Andy McFarlane on Retro. Rapido had a strong regatta, finishing 4th, two points ahead of Eagle. Chop and Erotic engaged in a close battle, with Chop securing 6th place. Some boats were missing due to crew shortages and work commitments, but hopes are high for their participation in the next regatta.
With Round 1 completed, the fleet eagerly anticipates heading north in January for Round Two hosted by the Tasman Bay Cruising Club on the 20th and 21st. Sailors are invited to enter at //https: www.tasmanbaycc.co.nz for a chance to navigate the beautiful waters of Tasman Bay in the upcoming leg of the Southern Circuit."