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Sixteen yachts came out on a beautiful, crisp, sunny winter’s day to compete in the Appleton’s Estate and Willis Sails Winter race. A brisk cool southerly of 13 knots gusting occasionally up to 18 knots but with a flat sea saw some very competitive racing.
The B division got away on a long reach out to Black Rocks and onto a beat down to Brampton Buoy. Those boats that chose to tack out towards Takatu Point rather than hold close to Moturoa Island made some big gains and at Brampton Wavelength (Ron Berrington) had established a handy lead over Golden Delicious (Brian White) but alas, a spinnaker wrap saw them drop down through the fleet. Golden Delicious led the fleet home by five and a half minutes from Chiarra (Ian McGregor) with Bedouin (Barry Williams) third. Bob Upperton in the big Ketch Kotahi won the hcp section from Golden Delicious and Bedouin.
Animal Biscuits (Craig Partridge) was his usual spectacular sight in the A division with the whole crew out on trapeze as they reached along flying a big gennaker. They took line honours by ten minutes from the multi hull Razzel (David Blair) with Deep Throttle another minute further back. However Razzel had done enough to make her time and won the handicap section from the Spencer 40 Nice One skippered by Alan Clarkson with Animal Biscuits third.
These crisp clear winter days are a delight to sail in and the new bar at the Kerikeri Club was packed solid as the crews and supporters relived the day.
Race 5 Results
Sixteen boats braved the squally windy conditions to start in the A1 Security and Goodyear Auto winter Rum race number 4 run by the Kerikeri Cruising Club. A front came through just before the start and the strong gusts persuaded several yachts to put in a reef before heading out. However, the wind did moderate not long after the B division got away and the reefs were quickly shaken out to take advantage of the better conditions. The higher handicapped boats in both divisions were unable to make their time and both A and B divisions proved to be a benefit for the lower handicapped boats.
Animal Biscuits (Craig Partridge) took line honours in the A division from Physical Favours (Pete Woods) by over seven minutes with Hicky Burr (Steve Miller) just behind. The handicap results had the Lotus 10.6 Valentine (Blue Newport) first from Entropy and Wasted Away.
In the B division some confusion at the start line saw Wavelength (Ron Berrington) and Bedouin (Barry Williams) become involved in a port and starboard incident which ultimately saw Wavelength withdraw. That Girl (Pete Mclea) led the fleet around to take line honours by 40 seconds From Golden Delicious (Brian White) with the big Young ketch 39 Winifred (David Green) another 2 minutes further back. However, Winifred prevailed to win handicap honours from Wynn Judd in Manuia by just two seconds with That Girl 3rd.
The mostly fresh south westerly winds certainly blew away the cobwebs and the animated talk at the clubhouse after the race showed that most thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Race 4 Results
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