Friday 25 February
2000
Leander Trophy Day 2
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.
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.
Jonys Masters Report up soon...