Today was the annual Manukau shield challenge, hosted this year by French Bay Yacht Club.
66 boats faced the starters flags, with visitors from Maraetai, Manukau, Panmure Lagoon, and Weymouth clubs, as well as twelve-foot skiffs from Auckland Sailing Club. Two races were sailed, each lasting just over an hour.
Maraetai also provided some extra safety cover, in the form of three RIB's.
The weather gods turned on yet another perfect day, with temperatures in the mid to high twenties, and wind ranging between 5 and 15 knots. The water was fairly flat, although once the tide started running out, the chop started to build.
The on-water action was really hot, with everyone having a good tussle with the boats around them.
I was busy with the Laser fleet, where we had 12 boats. Most were sailing with standard rigs, although a few opted for the radial rig.
The wind shifted part-way through the starting sequence of the first race, making the start line a bit biased to the left, although looking up the course showed what seemed to be a right hand shift. This resulted in most of the fleet starting on the left end, while me and a few others went out on the right.
There didn't seem to be a lot in it, as at the top mark I rounded as the first of the right-siders, in fifth place but right behind the leaders.
Don won this race quite easily in the end, setting the standard for the rest of the fleet.
Race two saw a much more orderly start, and Chantal picked it right, taking first around the top mark, with me in second. We then took off down the reach, heading in the wrong direction! This dropped us down the order a tiny bit, although both still in contention.
The final results showed PLSC sailors taking the top three places, with Don winning both races.
Looking forward...
The shield challenge seems to have lost its glory and prestige, with very few eligible clubs sending teams to compete in recent years. Ineligible clubs have been sending large numbers of boats, with Taikata sendng several boats to Weymouth last year, and PLSC sending good numbers today.
One must wonder, therefore, whether the shield should be re-defined, and such clubs allowed entry.
Showing posts with label Manukau Regatta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manukau Regatta. Show all posts
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Sunday, November 11, 2012
What's happening at Weymouth
Coming up at Weymouth Yacht Club this weekend we have the first of this seasons River Races on Saturday, followed by the first Harbour Race on Sunday.
The river course will see dinghy classes racing up the Pahurehure inlet towards the Papakura motorway, around a few channel markers, and finishing in front of the clubhouse.
Sunday's harbour course will start and finish in front of the clubhouse, and larger boats will head out into the main harbour, tackling semi-open water, and rounding the Wiri LPG terminal. Depending on the weather, the course could stretch as far as the airport or further.
Both courses will be set according to conditions, and while we will have full safety cover on Saturday, boats participating on Sunday will need to be self-sufficient, as conditions out in the main harbour can be quite hazardous. For this reason, Saturday is being promoted as a dinghy event, and Sunday as a trailer yacht event.
Trailer yachts can race on Saturday if desired, and large dinghies can race Sunday, subject to a safety inspection.
Both days events count towards their respective series points, and club handicaps will be applied afterwards to determine results.
Come along and join in on the day that best suits your needs.
The river course will see dinghy classes racing up the Pahurehure inlet towards the Papakura motorway, around a few channel markers, and finishing in front of the clubhouse.
Sunday's harbour course will start and finish in front of the clubhouse, and larger boats will head out into the main harbour, tackling semi-open water, and rounding the Wiri LPG terminal. Depending on the weather, the course could stretch as far as the airport or further.
Both courses will be set according to conditions, and while we will have full safety cover on Saturday, boats participating on Sunday will need to be self-sufficient, as conditions out in the main harbour can be quite hazardous. For this reason, Saturday is being promoted as a dinghy event, and Sunday as a trailer yacht event.
Trailer yachts can race on Saturday if desired, and large dinghies can race Sunday, subject to a safety inspection.
Both days events count towards their respective series points, and club handicaps will be applied afterwards to determine results.
Come along and join in on the day that best suits your needs.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Regattas for the summer
I've started to compile a list of dinghy regattas around the area. It's in the pages link on the right side of the screen.
email me details of any events you want listed here.
manukausailing@gmail.com
email me details of any events you want listed here.
manukausailing@gmail.com
Monday, April 9, 2012
A note of thanks
A special THANK-YOU to all those people who helped to make the weekend the success it was.
In no particular order...
South Auckland Glass Services - event sponsor.
Murray Boucher
Rob Kent
Simon Tidbury
Jodie Tidbury
Pete Hagglund
Codie McMaster
Danya Byrnes
Keith Sharp, for bringing most of Taikata Sailing club along to compete.
Murray and Kim for helping run the races.
Cyril, Tony and Mark, for supplying rescue boats, allowing our members to race.
All the sailors, visiting and local.
And absolutely everyone else involved with the regatta, who I either missed off my list, or don't know your names!
Thanks again.
Aaron.
In no particular order...
South Auckland Glass Services - event sponsor.
Murray Boucher
Rob Kent
Simon Tidbury
Jodie Tidbury
Pete Hagglund
Codie McMaster
Danya Byrnes
Keith Sharp, for bringing most of Taikata Sailing club along to compete.
Murray and Kim for helping run the races.
Cyril, Tony and Mark, for supplying rescue boats, allowing our members to race.
All the sailors, visiting and local.
And absolutely everyone else involved with the regatta, who I either missed off my list, or don't know your names!
Thanks again.
Aaron.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Manukau Regatta - Day 2.
Today was the actual Manukau interclub Regatta, with the Manukau Shield up for grabs.
Like yesterday, the weather gods smiled on us, with near perfect conditions - hot and sunny, with a nice 10 knot breeze straight from the Tasman sea. Unlike yesterday's shifty stuff, tho', todays breeze was relatively consistent.
A keen fleet of 21 boats fronted for the first race, with teams from the host club Weymouth, and the defenders French Bay YC. The largest fleet was from Taikata SC, who were not eligible for the Manukau Shield, and instead were racing for their inaugural Frostbite Travellers trophy.
A large olympic course of a triangle and two windward leewards was the order of the day, and OOD Murray Gallagher, from Clarks Beach YC, with Kim Admore from Yachting NZ, had the fleets away nicely.
The visiting Jollyboat sailed by Rene' Vanderboert from French bay set a blistering pace, and lead Murray Boucher, from the home club, also in a Jollyboat. These two were being keenly chased by Jim Quinn sailing a Laser radial, also from FBYC. Next in the mix was a jumble of boats I couldn't keep track of from the safety boat. The lead frostbites were right up there too, enjoying the conditions, as was the Moth.
In the junior fleet, Codie McMaster (WYC) was just ahead of Max Gruebner (FBYC) both in Starlings. Next was the scout cutter, Helmed by Simon Tidbury (WYC), and several sunbursts.
Unfortunately for Murray, he had a slip-up at the final turning mark, and got overtaken by Jim, giving French Bay the top two senior placings. The Junior honours were shared between clubs, with Codie getting the better of Max.
In the Frostbite fleet, Brent Jeffries took this race, followed by Keith Sharp.
The second race was pretty similar, except that the breeze had built slightly, which allowed the Paper Tiger catamaran of Pete Hagglund to get the lead shortly after the start. Sadly for him, the breeze lightened off after a while, and the monohull dinghies got back in front.
Rob's moth had suffered undetected damage during Saturdays racing, and took on a lot of water, so he decided to sit this race out. Codie was feeling too cold to go back for the second race, so also stayed ashore.
After the racing, the results were worked out for all the divisions, and the prizes were awarded as follows:
Senior fleet - Rene Vanderboert, Jim Quinn, Brent jeffries equal first in an unprecedented three way tie.
Junior fleet - Max Gruebner 1, Simon Tidbury 2, Locquahn Tukerangi 3.
Frostbite Travelers Trophy - Keith Sharp 1, Brent Jeffries 2, Adam Fincher 3.
Manukau Shield winning club - Weymouth Yacht Club.
The entire event was sponsored by South Auckland Glass Services.
Like yesterday, the weather gods smiled on us, with near perfect conditions - hot and sunny, with a nice 10 knot breeze straight from the Tasman sea. Unlike yesterday's shifty stuff, tho', todays breeze was relatively consistent.
A keen fleet of 21 boats fronted for the first race, with teams from the host club Weymouth, and the defenders French Bay YC. The largest fleet was from Taikata SC, who were not eligible for the Manukau Shield, and instead were racing for their inaugural Frostbite Travellers trophy.
A large olympic course of a triangle and two windward leewards was the order of the day, and OOD Murray Gallagher, from Clarks Beach YC, with Kim Admore from Yachting NZ, had the fleets away nicely.
The visiting Jollyboat sailed by Rene' Vanderboert from French bay set a blistering pace, and lead Murray Boucher, from the home club, also in a Jollyboat. These two were being keenly chased by Jim Quinn sailing a Laser radial, also from FBYC. Next in the mix was a jumble of boats I couldn't keep track of from the safety boat. The lead frostbites were right up there too, enjoying the conditions, as was the Moth.
In the junior fleet, Codie McMaster (WYC) was just ahead of Max Gruebner (FBYC) both in Starlings. Next was the scout cutter, Helmed by Simon Tidbury (WYC), and several sunbursts.
Unfortunately for Murray, he had a slip-up at the final turning mark, and got overtaken by Jim, giving French Bay the top two senior placings. The Junior honours were shared between clubs, with Codie getting the better of Max.
In the Frostbite fleet, Brent Jeffries took this race, followed by Keith Sharp.
The second race was pretty similar, except that the breeze had built slightly, which allowed the Paper Tiger catamaran of Pete Hagglund to get the lead shortly after the start. Sadly for him, the breeze lightened off after a while, and the monohull dinghies got back in front.
Rob's moth had suffered undetected damage during Saturdays racing, and took on a lot of water, so he decided to sit this race out. Codie was feeling too cold to go back for the second race, so also stayed ashore.
After the racing, the results were worked out for all the divisions, and the prizes were awarded as follows:
Senior fleet - Rene Vanderboert, Jim Quinn, Brent jeffries equal first in an unprecedented three way tie.
Junior fleet - Max Gruebner 1, Simon Tidbury 2, Locquahn Tukerangi 3.
Frostbite Travelers Trophy - Keith Sharp 1, Brent Jeffries 2, Adam Fincher 3.
Manukau Shield winning club - Weymouth Yacht Club.
The entire event was sponsored by South Auckland Glass Services.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Manukau Regatta Day 1 - Weymouth Yacht Club.
Today saw the sprint series, leading into the Manukau Regatta proper tomorrow.
Fleet numbers were lower than we had hoped, mostly because this event fell on a long weekend.
A total of eleven boats were racing, including three visiting frostbites from Taikata SC, and four scout boats. Several local sailors were unable to sail, either away or running the racing.
In the four scratch races, the sole Jollyboat sailed by Murray managed a clean sweep of wins (just), with local Frostbite Keith getting three seconds, with a third behind the Paper tiger sailed by Pete.
Local Moth sailor Rob managed three thirds, before capsizing in the fourth race.
In the Final, which was a Mark-Foy start based around the days performances so far, the Scout Cutter and Sunbursts were away first, followed by three frostbites, then the Moth and another Frostbite, with the Jollyboat and Paper Tiger being last to start.
Sadly for Pete, the wind eased off right before the start, and without the ability to fly a hull, he was unable to get the best out of the cat.
At the half-way point, it was Frostbites holding the first four places, with the rest of the fleet just behind. The late starters were starting to work their way through the fleet, with Murray up to fifth, and Pete in 8th.
Rounding the final mark, Murray had just hit the front, the light winds helping him out, with the Frostbites of Ashok and Keith in hot pursuit.
Closing on the finish, Murray had managed to hold on, around 30 seconds ahead, with the two frostbites side by side challenging for second.
Ashok managed to keep his nose in front, and Keith had to settle for third place - In terms of time, there was around a second between them as they crossed the line.
So, in our first ever Winner-take-all sprint series, it was a local who swept the pool, taking all the prize money home.
Here's a few images from the day. Check the club website (teams section - regatta minisite) to see all the pictures taken today.
Tomorrow (Sunday 8th) is the actual Manukau Regatta, with the inter-club shield up for grabs to the winning team. The current holder is French Bay Yacht Club, but as host club, Weymouth is gunning for it!
Fleet numbers were lower than we had hoped, mostly because this event fell on a long weekend.
A total of eleven boats were racing, including three visiting frostbites from Taikata SC, and four scout boats. Several local sailors were unable to sail, either away or running the racing.
In the four scratch races, the sole Jollyboat sailed by Murray managed a clean sweep of wins (just), with local Frostbite Keith getting three seconds, with a third behind the Paper tiger sailed by Pete.
Local Moth sailor Rob managed three thirds, before capsizing in the fourth race.
In the Final, which was a Mark-Foy start based around the days performances so far, the Scout Cutter and Sunbursts were away first, followed by three frostbites, then the Moth and another Frostbite, with the Jollyboat and Paper Tiger being last to start.
Sadly for Pete, the wind eased off right before the start, and without the ability to fly a hull, he was unable to get the best out of the cat.
At the half-way point, it was Frostbites holding the first four places, with the rest of the fleet just behind. The late starters were starting to work their way through the fleet, with Murray up to fifth, and Pete in 8th.
Rounding the final mark, Murray had just hit the front, the light winds helping him out, with the Frostbites of Ashok and Keith in hot pursuit.
Closing on the finish, Murray had managed to hold on, around 30 seconds ahead, with the two frostbites side by side challenging for second.
Ashok managed to keep his nose in front, and Keith had to settle for third place - In terms of time, there was around a second between them as they crossed the line.
So, in our first ever Winner-take-all sprint series, it was a local who swept the pool, taking all the prize money home.
Here's a few images from the day. Check the club website (teams section - regatta minisite) to see all the pictures taken today.
Tomorrow (Sunday 8th) is the actual Manukau Regatta, with the inter-club shield up for grabs to the winning team. The current holder is French Bay Yacht Club, but as host club, Weymouth is gunning for it!
Friday, April 6, 2012
MANUKAU REGATTA TOMORROW!
Everything is set, the supplies are in, the guys are ready, the competitors are rearing to go...
The sprint series is set for 9:30 tomorrow, thats Saturday!
Four races, leading to a reverse-start final race. Winner takes all, for a cash prize. Or maybe we'll split it with second and third.
Should be serious fun!
The manukau regatta proper is Sunday, also 0930.
Standard, two long races, set in the awesome sailing waters of the Manukau Harbour.
The harbour is well known for its dangerous waves, and strong winds, when the shallow water gets upset, and waves break with savage force. The harbour is roughly 20 niles across, and circular, yet only around 6 feet deep, and often dries out on very low tides.
Tomorrow is a very big tide, and the forecast is for a beautiful hot sunny day, and 15 knot winds blowing straight up the estuary, so perfect conditions for our short-course races.
Kim Admore, direct from Yachting NZ, is lending us a hand.
Anyone reading this around Auckland, get your "boat" into gear and get down here!
The sprint series is set for 9:30 tomorrow, thats Saturday!
Four races, leading to a reverse-start final race. Winner takes all, for a cash prize. Or maybe we'll split it with second and third.
Should be serious fun!
The manukau regatta proper is Sunday, also 0930.
Standard, two long races, set in the awesome sailing waters of the Manukau Harbour.
The harbour is well known for its dangerous waves, and strong winds, when the shallow water gets upset, and waves break with savage force. The harbour is roughly 20 niles across, and circular, yet only around 6 feet deep, and often dries out on very low tides.
Tomorrow is a very big tide, and the forecast is for a beautiful hot sunny day, and 15 knot winds blowing straight up the estuary, so perfect conditions for our short-course races.
Kim Admore, direct from Yachting NZ, is lending us a hand.
Anyone reading this around Auckland, get your "boat" into gear and get down here!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Manukau regatta - Easter weekend
Weymouth Yacht Club is hosting the 25th annual Manukau Regatta over Easter Weekend 2012.
A two day event, each day stands alone.
Saturday 7th April sees a sprint series, where each competitor sails four short races against similar boats. as an example, The "A-Fleet" could have Optimist, P Class,and O'pen Bic, the "B-Fleet" could comprise Starling, Sunburst, Frostbite, Topper, Scout Cutter, and Laser 4.7, while the "C-Fleet" might contain Moths, Laser full and radial, Finn, and 470.
After the four flights are completed, results will be tabulated, and handicaps formulated for the final race. The top few boats of each fleet will then take part in the final race, which will have a mark-foy start.
We are also reserving the right, depending upon numbers and time, to draw a few wildcard entries from a hat for the final race. I've got my hopes pinned on this, it's the only chance I'll have to get in a sailing boat all weekend!
So, the final race could have an Opti, a Bic, a Laser, a 470, and a Noelex 22. or absolutely anything else!
The start times for the final race will be the reverse of the average times from the flight races. This way, absolutely anyone could win the final.
It's winner-take-all and it should be great for spectators!
Sunday 8th april will be the actual Manukau interclub Regatta, where those clubs that are on the Manukau Harbour compete as teams for the shield. French Bay YC hold the shield at present.
Two long-course races are scheduled, with different fleets racing in different areas.
Registration opens 8am both days, briefing at 9am, first warning signal at 0930.
On Sunday, breakfast is also available at the club from 7:30am.
A two day event, each day stands alone.
Saturday 7th April sees a sprint series, where each competitor sails four short races against similar boats. as an example, The "A-Fleet" could have Optimist, P Class,and O'pen Bic, the "B-Fleet" could comprise Starling, Sunburst, Frostbite, Topper, Scout Cutter, and Laser 4.7, while the "C-Fleet" might contain Moths, Laser full and radial, Finn, and 470.
After the four flights are completed, results will be tabulated, and handicaps formulated for the final race. The top few boats of each fleet will then take part in the final race, which will have a mark-foy start.
We are also reserving the right, depending upon numbers and time, to draw a few wildcard entries from a hat for the final race. I've got my hopes pinned on this, it's the only chance I'll have to get in a sailing boat all weekend!
So, the final race could have an Opti, a Bic, a Laser, a 470, and a Noelex 22. or absolutely anything else!
The start times for the final race will be the reverse of the average times from the flight races. This way, absolutely anyone could win the final.
It's winner-take-all and it should be great for spectators!
Sunday 8th april will be the actual Manukau interclub Regatta, where those clubs that are on the Manukau Harbour compete as teams for the shield. French Bay YC hold the shield at present.
Two long-course races are scheduled, with different fleets racing in different areas.
Registration opens 8am both days, briefing at 9am, first warning signal at 0930.
On Sunday, breakfast is also available at the club from 7:30am.
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