November 1999 - Jubilee race series for R Class sailors, To Nelson or Bust
Jubilee race series for R class sailors
by Nick Tolerton - Christchurch Star 26/11/1999
If anything epitomises Canterbury sailing traditions, it's the R class skiffs.
So the class's 50th national contest for the Leander Trophy - a crest pinched from the warship - is being looked forward to more eagerly than any contest here for years.
As a development class, the R has always lured inventive yachties, and great Canterbury sailors like Graham Mander (four times), Peter Mander (three), and David Mander, Jack Cropp, Andy Holland, Gavin and Colin Cooke, Paul MacIntosh (nine), and Steve MacIntosh(six) all have their names on the leander.
If anything the class has got stronger than ever in recent years through its link-up with Auckland's 12 footers, which race in the Leander Trophy with reduced rigs.
For the jubilee contest at Lyttelton from February 24 to 27, pre-1992 boats have a division of their own, and 10 have been confirmed for this so far. Another 30 or so are expected to race in the open division.
The contest may also be raced over 10 races, one of them long and the others short races, said an organiser Bevan Hussey.
At least 15 local R class were entering, he said. These include a new kevlar MacIntosh design, Sydenham Bakery, which he and Lance Smith are racing. Hussey wrote off his last boat hitting an estuary mudbank at speed.
Another new boat, Meridian Energy, a carbon fibre one to the Australian Woof 12 footer design has also been launched by David Pairman and Tim Allan.
Other classes seem to have little appeal for many sailors once they're established in Rs, and R class veterans like Steve MacIntosh, Peter Hoskin and Tony Park would probably hate to think how many combined summers they've had in Rs. They'll be joined by a lot of others with a few stories to tell at the 50th jubilee reunion.
To nelson or bust or both
by Daniel Wise - Buster Bloodvessel
Day One: Friday November 12 1999A.D 9:30am
War. Huh. Yeah. What is it good for?
Bugger. Bugger, bugger, bugger. Too much rum last night. Bugger. Do I really have to drive to Nelson today?? Yes? Bugger. Roll out of bed, grab some gears and out the door. Shhh. Noisy car. Too loud. MMMMM pie. Feel better now.
After loading the boat and the car we're off. Yet another legendary R-Class mission to Nelson with the Buster Boys. A quick stop in Rangiora to pick up a virtual sailor and we're on the road. New record for road kill between Christchurch and Springs - 49 (only 42 last year) dead or dying animals spotted and many more suspected to be in the bushes. The road kill seems to follow a gradient from towns, where the carnage is confined almost exclusively to hedgehogs while on the country roads, possums are the predominant dead animal. I wonder if anyone has studied the critical impact speeds for different types of insect to splatter on the windscreen.
A-ha (no not the 80's pop band, they suck. A-ha in this case is an exclamation of realization) Nelson at last. Time to find some digs, some eats and some drinks. Crap pizza and a bottle of the finest rum later, the boys are ready to hit the town. After a sterling effort to start a riot in the bar, its getting late and there's racing to be had today?!?
Day Two: Saturday November 13 1999A.D 0830am
The Return of Apu.
Awaking from an all too short, coma like sleep, a new day is dawning. The sun is shining, the birds singing and heads are pounding. Mmmm bacon and egg pie. The breakfast of champions. Its going to be a great day. By the time of our arrival at the yacht club, most of the Wellington fleet is already rigged. After some jovial greetings and general camaraderie, the serious task of rigging begins. After an hour of fumbling drunkenly with shackles and various bits of rope, we are ready. A quiet multidirectional wind was blowing. A short course inside the breakwater kept us busy for the morning with some exciting racing to be had. Dave and Tim on took out the first race. A great feat considering it was the first race they had completed in the new boat (in fact, rumor has it that it was the time they had made it to the top mark). Chemical Weapon (Can.), StageCoach (Wgn.), Meridian Energy, (Can.) and Buster Bloodvessel (Can.) rounded out the top five for race one. Race two saw much the same conditions inside the breakwater making the racing a tactical battle. Proving to be far too quick in the light, Buster Bloodvessel led from start to finish, winning the race in fine style from StageCoach, Blue Zoo (Wgn.) and Chemical Weapon.
The afternoon saw a battle in the slop of Tasman Bay. With little wind and a big sloppy sea and a long course, racing was, well, wet to say the least. The Buster boys managed to send the prod beyond the point of no return, counting them out of the placings for the afternoon. StageCoach led the fleet round the track, pretty much from start to finish, showing the power of their new rig. The dominance of the new 'woof' hulls was apparent, with the new hulls filling the top three places (Meridian Energy and Chemical Weapon). The evenings frivolities were kicked off in the usual fashion with a fine Indian meal at our regular curry house. After some beer, some rum, some nan bread, and after a brief visit from Mister Rashid, the boys were ready to hit town. However, for some the only thing being hit that night was the mattresses in the backpackers. Not long after, things started to get messy, as the R-Class boys hit town (probably the less said the better).
Day Three: 14 November 1999 A.D 8:30am
Raw Hide!!!
Hmmm. Bad. No wind. Cold hamburger and energy drinks for breakfast and
we're off...to sit around a while and wait for wind.
9:00am No wind.
10:00am No wind
11:30am No wind, but lets go sailing anyway. OOOOO LOOK!..WIND.
Damn. Virtual (VR) got it. There goes our nice lead. A procession followed
VR (Can.) around the short course, with some major racing going on for the
minor placings. A tough battle emerged between StageCoach,
Meridian Energy and Buster Bloodvessel for
third, fourth and fifth, with the 'Weapon coming through on a huge catch-up
mission for second. That was the only race for the day. Canterbury had
convincingly beaten Wellington (again) for the Ruddiman Trophy (just as
well 'cause it was still in Christchurch), however Steve and Neil came through
on StageCoach to take the Harry Blanchard. Well done guys. Thanks to the
Nelson Yacht Club for the great racing and hospitality.
We'll see you again next year.
Check out October News