Issue date
Competitors from as far afield as Auckland competed at the South Island O'pen Skiff championships in Queenstown last weekend.
Twenty-four sailors competed across the three fleets (gold, silver, bronze), with up-and-coming sailor Jack White from Marakura Yacht Club fending off Logan Ross (Royal Akarana Yacht Club) for top spot in the gold fleet.
Sir Russell Coutts, who has played a key role in the popularity of the O'pen Skiff in this country, held a coaching session for the bronze fleet sailors and the gold and silver fleets finished racing with a long-distance race.
Sir Russell Coutts giving the bronze fleet sailors some pointers.
The weather in Queenstown was kind, with a variety of conditions, and the after-sailing BBQs were looked forward to each afternoon.
A big thank you to Dave Stringer, John Stalker and the team at the Wakatipu Yacht Club for a great South Island event.
Results and standings from the South Island O'pen Skiff championships at the Wakatipu Yacht Club:
Gold (5 boats)
1st: Jack White (Marakura) - 10 points
2nd: Logan Ross (Akarana) - 16 pts
3rd: Micah Duckles (Otago Yacht Club) - 18 pts
Silver (7 boats)
1st Henery Brown (Wakatipu) - 10 pts
2nd: Tom Schenk (Wakatipu) - 13 pts
3rd: Daniel Willcox (Naval Point Club Lyttelton) - 23 pts
Bronze (12 boats)
1st: Jack Smillie (Wakatipu) - 15 pts
2nd: Eddie Duyle Stewart (Wakatipu) - 25 pts
3rd: Hugh Hodgeson (Wakatipu) 25 pts
- Report written by Ian Gardiner - South Island RSO
