HI fellow Finnsters.

The 23^rd vet Finn regatta was another great success especially the Sunday night prize giving running into an enjoyable life membership celebration for our OOD Kevin McGee. A special thanks to Stu, Kevin and the McGee family for running the regatta for us.

The Friday sailing saw a light nor westerly 0<> 8 knots and 14 Finns on the start line. Rodger Hall chased Dave Hoogenboom around the track and caught him on the last flat run to take the gun. 3^rd place went to the first day leader John Duff with Raymond Hall 4^th. Dave H took the gun in race 2 with Duffy 2^nd and Raymond H 3^rd and Dirch Andersen 4^th. The last race on day one saw the breeze drop away to zero at the bottom mark, and then out of the west came the sea breeze and Gerrit Bearda, the first Tui's hat moment for the regatta, last to 1^st with Commodore Geoff Letcher 2^nd and Raymond H 3^rd with Duffy 4^th. Well sailed Gerrit.

Sat had us sailing in a westerly 10<> 15knots and all looking forward to stacking breeze. Rodger H took 1^st blood with Dave H 2^nd and me 3^rd. The racing on day two was as close as it gets with a challenging top mark and the bottom gate freeing up the boats for the short beat home. Race 4 saw Dave H take his 2^nd gun with me 2^nd and Geoff L 3^rd. The last race for day 2 saw Dave H take another 1^st with Raymond H2^nd and Rodger H3^rd.

 There was very little in the up wind speed of most boats so getting the right side of the track and looking out side the square was important. We had boats finishing over lapped so that’s how enjoyable and close the racing was.

The Tui's hat moment for day two went to Stu for letting the support boat drift away unmanned. What knot was that Stu?

The last day and it looked liked Dave H had the regatta shown up with his good results so far. It was going to take some upsets and a bit of form from the class national champ to pull this one off. The 1^st race of the day saw nzl 23 in the groove for the 1^st time and held off Rodger H for the gun with Raymond H 3^rd. Ahh no Dave Hoogenboom. The 2^nd race was as close as it gets. On the last flat run Rodger H caught me as we passed through the gate for the short beat to finish. We hit the line and the call was a draw, but the OOD gave the gun to Rodger H by a Hare’s breath, not a Rat’s tail, with Dave H 3rd. This was the turning point in the winning of the regatta. The final race saw Rodger H in another close battle take his 4^th gun with Commodore Geoff L 2^nd and Dave H 3^rd.

Back on shore no one new who had won the regatta. Once the results went up it showed a draw between Rodger and Dave with IRL Rodger Hall taking the regatta having more wins. Dave H 2^nd and me 3^rd. First alloy stick went to Stu Munro. The Tui's hat award for the last day went to Jim Goodare for rolling a smoke down wind while passing a few boats.

A very enjoyable regatta and well supported by the Finn sailors, and our club sponsers. Dave and Maurens Black Heart Rum.The Village Bar and Grill Patty and CRC.

 A nice way to finish the evening with the club full of past and present members and family celebrating the life membership of OOD Kevin McGee over few drinks and a well orgainised event and BBQ lead by Comodore Geoff Letcher,John Duff and his team.

This very successful Finn season has happened because you fronted up. Thanks

Our next event and last for the season is the 2nd round of the match racing series in a fortnight, a very enjoyable contest. 

The over all results are on the Finn web site.

NZL 23    

 

 

T

.