Issue date
The Interislander seems to be bigger and better each year. The number of sailors exceeded last year’s. The weather pattern provided the regatta with something for every type of sailor and plenty of sunshine.
Sailors came from clubs all over New Zealand: Kohi, Worser Bay, Wakatere, Murrays Bay, Napier, Charteris Bay, Nelson and a lot more. 77 % of sailors came from the North Island all the way to Picton. The Top NZ optimist sailors all competed in this regatta and made it an event to remember.
On Thursday the registering sailors were greeted with gusty and wet conditions. By Friday morning it all dried up and Marlborough was its sunny self again. The Friday only had optimist Open Fleet racing followed by the now famous “Taste of Marlborough” with local wines, clams, salmon, chocolates, cod and groper, breads and olive oil. Saturday and Sunday had sailing for all fleets: Optimist Open and Green and Starling.
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Day 1
The official welcome and a VERY LOUD bang from the QCYC cannon started off the day. The course was set soon enough by Race Officer Gerry Martin and his team and the Open Fleet Sailors left the beach. Races were sailed in two flights due to the total number of sailors being 107, aged between 9 and 15. Wind conditions started with WNW 15 knots building to over 20 knots during the day. These conditions seem to be a bit much for the lesser experienced and lighter sailors. Several sailors withdrew from the last race.
The first day was dominated by Henry Wilson in the Yellow Fleet with three 1st. and Francesco Kayrouz in the Blue.
Day 2
Saturday again brought Northerlies. The Green Fleet course was laid directly in front of the club. Start boat and Mark Layers headed out to set the outer course. A bit of a wait for the wind to fill in but finally races got underway. Wind direction was similar to the day before but strength only got to 10-12 knots. Winds were steady and no course relays were necessary. The lighter condition did change the results a bit.
All green fleet sailors did a great job. The rainbow fleet was a contest between QCYC sailors. The Starlings was a battle between South Island sailors with QCYC just missing out.
Day 3
Wind changed to an Eastern direction and the course was set around the corner towards Anakiwa. Wind speed varying from 5 - 8 knots. In the 3rd and last race the wind dropped out and there were a few temporary shifts, causing tricky sailing conditions. The Open fleet sailors were reformed into a Gold and Silver fleet, with the gold fleet having the first start. Henry Wilson kept finishing well ahead of the pack. In the Starlings the battle continued between the top S.I. sailors.
Prize giving
A Fleet of total 107 Open Optimists; Henry Wilson from Murrays Bay took first place with Josh Schon of Waketere 2nd and Campbell Stanton ( Murray’s Bay) third.
The Green Fleet consisting out of 42 sailors. 13 year old Joshua Schoorl from Mt Pleasant took first overall. QCYC sailor Fergus Lane took 2nd place by sailing a very consistent regatta. Valentine Kayrouz finishing 3rd. Two of QCYC Learn-to- Sail graduates from this year also placed amazingly well. 9 year old Loui Poletti was 4th overall and 7 year old Moss Hopkins placed 8th. This year QCYC also ran a rainbow Fleet racing to encourage fresh sailors.
The starling fleet consisted of a total of 33 sailors. This was definitely a South Island affair. N.I sailors did not get a look in till the 8th placing. The Port Marlborough Starling Champs First place went to Mathew Wylie from Naval Point, 2nd Harry Corrston of Charteris bay and 3rd Aris Shearer of Timaru.
The Interislander Trophy was won again by the North Island and Murry’s Bay took it home for the year. But looking at Green fleet results – maybe the South Island will be in the running in the next few years.
Full results for all Fleets on: http://www.qcyc.org.nz/regattainformation.php
The 2016 Interislander was an amazing success: Great sailing, competent regatta crew, spectator entertainment, good food, cold drinks and a great atmosphere. Thank you all for supporting QCYC. We will do it all again next year and I am sure all and more sailors will join the regatta. We like to thank all our sponsors and volunteers, as it’s them that make it all happen.
Next Year’s Interislander will be at the end of February 2017. We will let you know when soon. In 2018 Queen Charlotte Yacht club will host the Interislander and the Optimist Nationals. Till then “Happy Sailing”
