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Kiwi Team Racing continued their dominance of the GJ Gardner Homes Open Team Sailing National Championship, winning their fifth-straight title at the Kerikeri Cruising Club over Queens Birthday Weekend.
Ten teams from around New Zealand competed for the prestigious trophy donated in 2018 by Core Builders Composites, but no one could touch Kiwi Team Racing who went through the regatta undefeated.
This year’s weather conditions, however, didn't make it easy for both race management and competitors.
Light and fluky winds persisted over the first two days, which necessitated a handful of course changes to follow the breeze. The final day loomed with more promise, and racing got under way in six knots, but this had dropped off by early afternoon and forced racing to be abandoned.
It meant the petite finals and finals saw only one race each being completed, with the Kiwi Team Racing team of Liam Herbert, Maeve White, Sean Herbert, Imogen Herbert, Reuben Corbett and Grace Calnan coming out on top.
Second place went to RNZYS (Jordan Stevenson, Harry McMullen, Jack Bunce, Hugo Mc Mullen, George Angus and Amelia Angus) with Team Thievery third (Josh Edmonds, Cella Balemi, Harrison Carver, Courtney MacPherson, Erik Thomas and Kaitlyn Turner).
Photos: Bruce Carter.
Lack of a steady breeze did not dampen the spirits of the 60 sailors and 30 volunteers who made this event such a success.
Chief umpire Rob Herries commented to all sailors at prizegiving, “There obviously weren’t enough protests, so we umpires will all be back again next year! Thank you everyone for an excellent event.”
Special mention must go to the all–girls team from Whangarei, first in the regatta’s history, and special thanks to sponsors GJ Gardner Homes, Ferment and Countdown for their continued support.
