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Racing in light winds on the last day of the Hartley 16 National Championships in New Plymouth saw the local crew of Simon Holdt and Nathan McArthur on Stratos move from third place overnight to win the regatta ahead of defending champions Shaking Laundry sailed by Robin Williams and Mike Insley. Third place went to Bizzare’s Gareth Insley and Tim Lynch-Blosse both from the Manukau Yacht Club in Auckland.
The milestone regatta attracted the biggest Hartley fleet in the 50 year history of the national event, which also saw the 30 boat fleet enjoy the closest racing seen yet with a few general recalls and even a couple of black flag starts which had not been seen in the Hartley 16 class before.
The family trophy went to Splash (Guy and David Ormrod), the Handicap Ranking trophy went to Under Pressure (Alan Gee and Claire Anderson), both boats from the New Plymouth Yacht Club.
The Cruising division was won by Daisy (Shirlene Vautier and Rodger Wilson) from the Evans Bay Yacht and Motorboat Club in Wellington.
Yachting New Zealand Regional Support Officer Wayne Holdt says, “It was great to see some of the ex-Hartley sailors from out of town come along to watch and share a few stories as the class reached the milestone of 50 national regattas.”
“Thanks to Mrs Hartley for coming to give out the prizes, also to class sponsors Black Heart Rum, Carlsberg, Independent Liquor, Harken and North Sails for their contribution to making the regatta a real success.”
