Raging Hormones to the fore at Young 88 national champs

Zane Gifford and his crew on Raging Hormones took out the 33rd Young 88 one design national championships in Auckland recently to join a long list of names on a trophy board that features some of New Zealand’s best.

The title has previously been won by the likes of Mike Sanderson, Rod Davis, Will Tiller, Earle Williams, Harry Dodson, Leslie Egnot and Jeremy Lomas and Gifford's team were comprehensive winners last month when they won eight of the 10 races and finished 22 points ahead of Nick Gillies and Waka Huia in second. Mark Bond, the 2017, and his crew on Slipstream were third a further point behind and would have been left ruing two startline infringements.

“All in all, it was a very enjoyable regatta,” said Gifford, who was joined on the boat by Matt Kempers, Sean Paterson, Hugh Gallaher, Steve Broadbent, Stewart Dodson and Tiller. The also took handicap honours to win the double.

Gillies was delighted to finish second, especially as he's a fleet newcomer who bought Waka Huia less than a year ago.

“As a new owner and team, we thoroughly enjoyed the racing over the nationals and were rapt to finish second," Gillies said. "Not sure we’ll be able to repeat that. It’s probably the best class racing I have done since sailing dinghies a long time ago. Thanks to everyone who organised the weekend.”

Frans de Court on Men @ Work claimed the sought-after first Corinthian (no pros) prize. Young 88 measurer Chris Macindoe (War Machine) was awarded the Taylor Trophy for the great work, tightening and enforcing the one-design rules, plus weighing and measuring pre-event. James Corbett (Flash Gordon) hit the jackpot with the $500 Harken spot prize.

Designer Jim Young and his wife Anne attended prizegiving, along with Mike Pearce from class boat builder Mike Pearce Boatbuilders Ltd and Harken NZ chief executive Robbie Young,

The event was well run on and off the water by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron race and hospitality team. Having the umpires on the open water course north of Rangitoto ensured fantastic conditions and clean racing.

Thanks also go to class and event sponsor Harken for their support, competitors, organisers and the small army of volunteers.

Results from the Young 88 national championships at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron:

1st: Raging Hormones (Zane Gifford - RNZYS) 1 (13) 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 - 10 points
2nd: Waka Huia (Nick Gillies - RNZYS) 3 (13) 3 4 4 4 6 2 2 4 - 32 pts
3rd: Slipstream (Mark Bond - RNZYS) 2 (13) 2 2 5 2 1 4 13 2 - 33 pts

Full results can be found here.

Event photos can be found here.

For more information on the Young 88 one design cruiser racer see here and here.