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Beau Geste have claimed another regatta title in style after a top class final day for Division A in Auckland. Helmed by Karl Kwok, Beau Geste won 3 out of the 4 races sailed today in what were fantastic conditions for yachting off the Eastern Beaches. Beau Geste were sitting in second place behind Viento 2 after day one, but their 3 solid wins and a 3rd in the final race surged them to the top of the standings, and with 7 out of 8 line wins across the regatta – I don’t think anyone can argue their victory isn’t deserved.
Beau Geste, winner of Division A © RNZYS Media
Mayhem, helmed by Harry Dodson, also had an outstanding days racing, taking out 2nd place in all 4 races sailed today. Mayhem were sitting in 4th overnight after coming very close to pushing into the top 3, however todays huge effort allowed to them to claim 2nd place overall for the regatta, a result they will be extremely delighted with.
Mayhem in full flight © RNZYS media
Heading into the final race today, 3rd position overall was anybody’s to win – with Temptation, V5 and Viento 2 all in position to take the final podium spot. Temptation, helmed by Anatole Masfen, were cool and calm under pressure - making the final dash count and claiming the gun in the final race of the regatta to seal up 3rd overall. Beau Geste, Mayhem and Viento 2 were the top 3 on line at the completion of the regatta.
B division also saw some epically tight & competitive racing today, with 4 different race winners and a mix of 6 different boats claiming top 3 finishes throughout the day. Although there was a large mix of results, Steve Purtons Ice Breaker – who dominated on day one - were clearly still the boat to beat, winning 8 out of 8 guns across the regatta which set them up for their overall B division title (Line & Handicap), a great result for the team.
Ice Breaker won Division B © RNZYS media
Kaimai Express from Tauranga also had a glamour day after sitting in 2nd place overnight, snatching a win in the first race followed by two 3rd place finishes, allowing them to hold onto their 2nd overall spot. 3rd place on handicap in Division B goes to Josh Tuckers Sun Fast 3600 Racing, who were rewarded for consistency throughout the regatta. Line was also hotly contested in this division, with the RNZYS YTP Team on Lawless 2nd, and Janine Robinsons Auckland Regatta stalwart Bullrush rounding out 3rd (behind 1st placed Ice Breaker.)
The Open Multihull division was unfortunately only raced in by two boats today, Marwin Racing Team and Excess, however you wouldn’t have been disappointed if you were out on the course – with both boats impressively flying on their foils up and down the track, a sight which will never get old for sailing enthusiasts. Marwin Racing Team showed their class all weekend and were rewarded with the 1st on Handicap and Line double for 2016.
Team Marwin Racing on the foils © RNZYS media
The 8.5m multi-hull division class championships were taken out by yesterday’s leader Clive Wright on board Dirty Deeds. ‘The Deeds’ won all 8 races on line and are very deserved winners of the class championships, making it two in a row for Clive and his crew after also winning the title in 2015.
The big improvers today were Stealth Mission, helmed by Sam Tucker, after a tough day yesterday they found their mojo today to grab two 2nd‘s and two 3rd’s which has handed them 2nd overall for the division. Attitude rounds out the top 3 after getting two 2nd place finishes in the 4 races today. On handicap, it’s Stealth Mission 1st, Voom 2nd and Attitude 3rd.
The Pacific Keelboat Challenge fleet picked up where they left of and had another highly competitive days sailing in the MRX’s. Heading into the 12th and final race, the top spot was still up for grabs between the two Australians Chris Way (RPAYC) and Andy Kearnan (CYCA) – the best way to finish any regatta. In what was an exciting encounter, Chris Way showed his class to clinch the gun and subsequently the Pacific Keelboat Challenge title. Andy Kearnan finished 4th in the do or die last race, but it was still good enough to hand him 2nd overall. However it wasn’t all an Australian affair, with RNZYS’s Matt Bouzaid showing consistency once again to hold onto his 3rd spot, which he held for the entire regatta. A superb ending to a super weekend of racing in the MRX’s.
The Sports boats were back at full fang off Bean Rock today too, with overnight leader Badonkadonk winning the day again with three 2nd’s and a 1st, claiming the overall title for Division S. Phil Bishops Helter Skelter made the most of today’s ideal conditions, coming from 4th overnight to finish in 2nd place overall with Chris Hirsts Enigma taking 3rd.
Badonkadonk leading Division S © RNZYS Media
Lastly, Division C was won by Rawhide who won all 4 races today, with Perfect Alibi 2nd and Meister 3rd.
The Jack Tar Auckland Regatta would like to thank all competitors who took part in this year’s regatta, it was full of fantastic racing which was only possible due to the calibre of entrants. We would also like to thank the Race Management teams on both courses, the RNZYS Sailing Office and RNZYS media.
Final results are posted at www.aucklandregatta.co.nz
Images and Video from today’s (and the weekends) racing are on the RNZYS Facebook Page – www.rnzys.org.nz/rnzys
