Marlborough Boys’ crowned ‘Top of the South’

Ten teams competed in Picton Harbour from 26-28 March for the Top of the South Regional Regatta. Hosted by Queen Charlotte Yacht Club the teams sailing was in 420s.

Three teams from Marlborough (Marlborough Boys’, Marlborough Girls’ and Queen Charlotte College) were joined by five teams from Nelson, as well as Wanaka’s Mt Aspiring College and a team from Christchurch Boys’ High.

Marlborough Boys' racing Queen Charlotte College

Here’s how things unfolded…

Day 1: The day’s sailing starting out with light but steady winds.  At times the wind dropped away. Teams got through 32 of the 45 races of the first Round Robin. Marlborough Boys, Christchurch Boys and Queen Charlotte College were the stand-outs on day one each losing just one race each.

Day 2: Friday morning brought a Southerly with the course set accordingly and the 1^st Round Robin was completed. Competition was tight as Marlborough Boys’, Christchurch Boys’ and Queen Charlotte College ended up at the top on equal points. They were allocated to the Gold fleet for the next round together with Marlborough Girls’ and Mt Aspiring College. The silver fleet consisted mainly of Nelson teams and Marlborough Girls’ who recently lost two of their skippers.  Another Round Robin was sailed in each fleet (20 races each) and a third started till the wind dropped and sailing was postponed to the next day.

Day 3: The wind was not playing the game and crews entertained themselves ashore until the water started to ripple and the signal for launch was given. The third Round Robin had to be finished and if possible a fourth one sailed as well. Racing on Saturday was in very light winds. The third round was sailed but while the fourth one was started, the wind did not pick up to get very far.

Overall the regatta went well and the Marlborough Boys’ and Queen Charlotte certainly made true the first step of their goals. Hopefully both teams will be seeding into gold fleet for the Nationals. Six of the ten teams that competed will be going to Taupo to sail the Team Sailing National Championship on April 12-17.

Top of the South Trophy

This is calculated by awarding a point to the winner every time a Nelson team races a Marlborough team. This trophy was convincingly won by Marlborough by 17 pts over 10.

Captains of the three Marlborough teams claiming the Top of the South trophy

Final Placings