Elliott 5.9: Preview of the upcoming Burnsco Traveller Series #4 at Russell
by Gareth Howard - Elliot 5.9 Assoc 9 Sep 04:33 PDT
Class Act - Burnsco Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series, September 12–13 , 2026 - Russell, Bay of Islands © Elliott 5.9 Assoc
The Burnsco Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series heads to Northland for Round 4 over the weekend of 12-13 September, with the fleet assembling at the historic Russell Boating Club.
Nestled in the heart of the Bay of Islands, Russell offers an idyllic sailing backdrop, combining rich maritime history, stunning scenery, and exceptional waters.
This is the penultimate round of the five-regatta Burnsco Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series. These regattas are held around various stunning sailing locations in the North Island, with the final round to be held at Sandspit 17 - 18 October. So the pressure is mounting as boats eye up the prestigious overall title.
In a practical logistical arrangement, the fleet will launch across the harbour at Opua before heading out to race on the waters off Russell. The location is renowned for delivering tight, competitive racing, and with overall series standings poised following Round 3 in Whitianga, every race over the weekend will carry immense weight.
The standings across the top six positions show just how competitive the fleet remains:
- Revelry: 72.5 points
- Reggae Shark: 81 points
- Bloodline: 91 points
- Zoot Allures: 95 points
- Dirty Circus: 99 points
- Slam Dunk: 107.5 points
The main focus will be firmly on Revelry and Reggae Shark at the head of the fleet. Reggae Shark have been super consistent, and after taking victory in Whitianga, they have a real opportunity to apply severe pressure on series frontrunner Revelry. The race for the overall ranking trophy, which is based on most improved, is equally intense, with Revelry, Reggae Shark, and Bloodline all tied on three points, meaning the overall results of the top three in Russell will directly dictate the ranking trophy outcome.
Behind the leaders, the battle for third overall is wide open. Any of the boats placed third through sixth is capable of taking a regatta win. A strong performance will immediately launch any of these contenders into podium position, while any stumble from the top two could see them quickly fall back into the clutches of the chasing fleet. It is precisely this close, high-stakes one-design racing that the Elliott 5.9 class is known for.
Nyx and Class Act will also be firmly in the battle. It is always a close contest between these two boats, with each consistently showing the potential required to push toward the podium. However, they will also be keeping a close eye on Razorback and Frivolous Fish to ensure they bank the necessary points to stay in contention in the overall results.
Local boat Frivolous Fish rejoins the line-up on home waters, and their duel with Razorback will be another key contest to monitor throughout the regatta. Razorback enters the weekend on a clear upward trajectory, benefiting from regular regatta attendance and ongoing subtle tuning refinements. Having demonstrated their potential with several highly competitive placings, the Razorback crew will be eager to establish consistency across all conditions in the Bay of Islands.
Off the water, crews are looking forward to rafting up at Russell on Saturday night, a setup that always creates the great social atmosphere and camaraderie the fleet is celebrated for.
With tight point margins, close-quarters tactical racing, and the warm hospitality of the Russell Boating Club, the stage is set for a standout weekend of trailer yacht racing.
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 1980s 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.