Leander 2000 Commentary - Day 2

Friday 25 February 2000

Leander Trophy Day 2

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THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO DANIEL....

THURSDAY NIGHT - EXTRA RACE

Slightly perturbed by the cancellation of the afternoon's race on Thursday, some of the crews decided that an extra race was in order. Sighting the perfect craft moored in the marina, the boys descended on the 2 tonne concrete pontoons, paddles in hand. Not an easy task. After a lot of grunting and chanting (dragon boatie style) we managed to paddle our craft to the edge of the marina and back. Canterbury was narrowly beaten by the north island challenge, the twin keels creating too much drag in the light conditions.

RACE TWO

AMI Insurance - Shane and Casey Bellingham

Confusion was reigning at the beginning of the day. Where was the wind going to come from?? Was there going to be any wind?? What would happen if fish didn't swim?? This aside, the wind finally came in from the north-east allowing a start. After the usual ensuing chaos at the start, the new look Buster boys got off to a great start. Once again, we were first to the top mark, closely pursued by the 'Weapon. After a rather ordinary kite hoist, Sean and Steve sneaked past. Four rounds later, and we were solidly in 17th position. However, after a battle with Sailing New Zealand magazine and Dimension Polyant Sailcloth (both Akl.) for the finish line saw us comming across on starboard, severely hampering Stealth's (Can.) strong charge. Home for fifteenth.

RACE THREE

Danny and Paul on Montana Bakery

An ever increasing n/e breeze saw us make the decision to change down to the small jib to help offset our low crew weight. However, the seas pushed up by the outgoing tide were larger than the breeze, although we were quite comfortable. A low key start followed, with our pointing ability hampered by the small jib. A lot of creaking and groaning later, the gooseneck finally gave way, destroying our chances of a finish. An interesting ride home followed, with a couple of swims while trying to set the kite. Hate those big seas. Oh well, better luck tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Paul and Jason on VR (Can.) were fighting a battle of their own. After being severly stuffed (to put it mildly) by a certain Auckland boat and the ensuing collision with another, the boat was without a prod and had sustained some serious front end damage. However, the call of the day also has to go to Paul, who, when asked by a TV reporter "what do the front runners have that you don't" Paul, rather tersely answered "a prod." Nice one.

RACE FOUR

Well, less said the better. DNS so that put an end to that.

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TIM'S BIT...for... Meridian Energy

RACE TWO

A few of the crews were still suffering from the pontoon racing and Wunder Bar the night before. Chemical Weapon had a good first beat and led round the first mark. Next was Meridian Energy who had a good jump on the rest of the pack, led by Design Source.

Last Years Champ Smit Miller, Alex Vallings with new crew Jamie Smith, leads Design Source veterans Paul MacIntosh and Kenny Fyfe

As the race progressed, the 'Weapon increased its lead. MoreFM had a great run down on the second downwind and were pleased with their gains. They were somewhat disappointed though to be told that they had missed the wing mark. Good on the guys though who returned to complete the course, finishing in 27th place. On the third run down, Design Source gybed early and made good gains on Meridian Energy, finally hauling them in on the final beat back up to take second place behind the 'Weapon.

RACE THREE

No room for any cobwebs here. 18 knots N/E with an outgoing tide made for some steep, breaking seas. Meridian Energy went to the left of the course, but capzised on the first tack, making it a bit hard to comment on the progress of the front runners. Throughout the fleet there was considerable carnage, with the most spectacular being the head on collision between VR (5th at the time), Sailing New Zealand Magazine (no, the port layline is not the place to be) and ultimately B3D at the top mark. A considerable number of clangers will have to be dished out at the aftermatch function, with many boats capzising while gybing to get through the gate.

RACE FOUR

Wellingtonians Steve Hogg and Neill Wood in Stagecoach

The pin end of the line was favoured, and both the 'Weapon and Meridian Energy got good starts into the 15 knot north-east breeze, while StageCoach and Dimension Polyant Sailcloth did well at the other end of the line. A few minutes after the start, the wind swung right, favouring Stagecoach and Dimension. DP was first round the top mark followed by Stagecoach and Meridian Energy. At the bottom mark, Meridian Energy put their spinnaker in the water and capzised, letting half the fleet through. Places were established over the next two beats, with Meridian Energy working their way back through the fleet. On the third run down, Meridian Energy blew out their gennaker outhaul block and lost many of the earlier gains made. Meridian Energy tied the outhaul to the mast for the final run, passing MoreFM in the process. AMI Insurance capzised just before the finish. The final places: Dimension Polyant, Stagecoach, Chemical Weapon.

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Jonys Masters Report up soon...

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• Picture credits....Nick Tolerton - Christchurch Star