R Class Skiff Action Sprint
.....The single most exciting event to hit Lyttelton Harbour this summer. A 200 metre long course, twenty plus knots of wind, big kites, big spills and twenty-five boats all battling for short course supremacy. A recipe for disaster if you ask me, but it should be great to watch! An event not to be missed. Be there, or don't be there. Being there would be better though. First start 1:45pm Sunday 27 Feb 2000 outside the Lyttelton Coastguard building.
Auckland Boats Arrive
 |
| Pacifica generously sponsored the Auckland boats shipping |
Saturday 19 February Training
There was no club racing today because of the Canterbury 2000 Regatta on sunday with 100+ dingheys expected. Most of the Canterbury fleet took the opportunity to do some training in the light - moderate NE conditions. Montna Bakery has their new sails well tuned and showed some surprising bursts on speed on the wind. Gordon Sutherland and Kevin Holland ventured out in Witchdoctor for Kevins first sail in an R since the 92 contest.
On the Masters Front - Jony Smith and Steve Mander spent most of the afternoon sorting out Freezing Hot's fittings and rigging, then retired to the club for a beer. Richard Turnbull with Contort (R222) seemed to be doing much the same thing. Looks like they're already pacing themselves for the rigours of the 'one race a day' during the contest.
Canterbury 2000 Regatta - Sunday 20th February
Three races, with one pre-lunchtime (what are they thinking!!!) saw only 3 boats make the start for the first race (well 2 of them were on the line...). The courses were 4 very short windward-leeward laps, with a gate (start-finish line) on the wind. Since there were 4 or five other divisions it made for exciting racing. The R's weaving though the other tightly bunched fleets off the wind. Most boats completed several laps before the other divisions had all started.
Lance Smith did a good job as ringin crew in the morning race on VR before handing over to Jason for the afternoon races. Meridian Energy took out the morning race with Montana Bakery a convincing second. The rest of the fleet turned up for some exciting racing in the afternoons' building NE breeze. Race 2 started with a fairly strong breeze. Resulting in swims for most boats. Only three boats completed the last race of the day (the breeze having risen significantly) most opting to conserve the boat for the contest. Acid Rock, Stealth, Meridian Energy and VR took the view that some heavy weather practise couldn't hurt and stuck around having some extremely spectacular rides. Dave and John in Stealth were showing excellent boat handling in the difficult conditions and looked certain to push Acid Rock until the mast came down in a gybe and ended their day.
Gryphon's Walter Worthington teamed up with Kent Brownlee (Philip has had to scarper off to the USA on business) for the first time today in an effort to get themselves sorted out for the contest. Kevin Holland and Gordy in Witchdoctor were out again and seem to be rapidly sorting themselves out. They showed some some good speed and boat handling in the breeze. Acid Rock really showed they're a heavy weather force, taking out both afternoon races.
Wellington Boats Arrive via Pacifica
 |