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New Plymouth turned on a range of weather conditions for the NZIODA Optimist North Islands and Starling Travellers Series regatta hosted by the New Plymouth Yacht club last weekend.
Friday’s racing for the 95 Open Optis was abandoned by Race Officer Gerald Martin with high winds and rough seas not abating. Saturday was a great day with four races completed in 12-15 knots, with the 31 Starlings’ joining the Open fleet Optis.
The decision by race officer Rob Oliver to run the 23 Green fleet sailors inside the harbour was a good one, getting four races in on Saturday as well as the novelty of a lunch break.
Sunday was a very demanding day for all sailors, as the confused seas from the port Taranaki coast created testing conditions. The silver fleet and Starling fleet only completed one race, while the Gold fleet got three away. The Green fleet managed to get two races in as well.
Murrays Bays Seb Menzies sailed a superb regatta to take the Open Fleet title from Monty Alderson in second and Thomas Mulcahy who placed third.
Murrays Bay sailor Dylan Collins took out the Green Fleet with Jack Parr second and Naomi Ferrissey third.
Starling sailor Samantha Stock completed the treble for Murrays Bay winning the first of the new Southern travellers series regattas from Luke Cashmore in second, and Harrison Baker third.
A big thanks to the huge group of volunteers both on and off the water from the New Plymouth Yacht Club, also to the other clubs support boats who were great. Thanks to regatta sponsors AWE Limited, Todd Energy, Tag Oil, Primo Wireless, North Sails, Doyle Sails, Kiwi Yachting, The Water Shed, and SailOne.
