Fine conditions, but a fickle breeze eventually confounded the the RNZYS race committee and saw the fleet retire for an early bath after two exacting races on the flooding tide.

Top mark identification provided a poser on leg one of race one and some boats never quite recovered from plumbing for the wrong yellow buoy.  Your correspondent gamely attempted to redress the error with a late, footing charge from the port lay-line (known hereabouts as 'a Prydie'), bailed, fouled Captain Pete (906) and then - to the perplexity and consternation of his crew - performed a rarely seen manoeuvre known as 'circles'.

The long, up-tide run provided passing opportunities and culminated in a difficult rounding, which saw the fleet compress and re-shuffle, but Valsheda (950) held on for a solid win from Upfront (814) and Feng Shui (1348).

Race two was a very similar affair.  The breeze died on the first downwind rounding and the following fleet scrambled to get round.  It was very close at the next mark, but again Maverick (950) held out for another strong bullet over a late-charging Echelon (1083) and Upfront (814).

Many congratulations to fleet members Anatole Masfen and Andrew Wills (not to mention skipper Dirk Kneulman) for their top-ten finish at the Etchells World Championships in Hong Kong (and also to Anatole for making it out for Flight 3).

Many thanks to the RNZYS Race Officers and their crew.

​Results here (flight) and here (series)

Next week's racing is presented by RONSTAN, with the usual great racing enhanced by some awesome Ronstan prizes and of course drinks at Swashbucklers.

With a crucial 1, 2 in the final flight of the season, Valsheda II (950) has taken the double - winning both National Championships and the Post-Christmas Series from Feng Shui (1348) - a very close second - and Upfront (814).

This has been the most competitively fought and well-attended series in recent history and overall victory came down to the final flight, with only 2 points separating the fleet leaders.

Overall, the standard of the fleet has been raised this year and with new entries to the fleet, next year promises to provide some real competition to the usual suspects.

There does remain some disparity in the condition of sails and boats and this winter we will propose a refurbishment programme that should allow us to leverage the buying power of the class to complete (in some case, much needed) maintenance and repairs work on our boats.  Watch this space for details.

Congratulations to Al Gair and crew - and to all who competed this year. 

Results are here (flight) and here (series)

This report is courtesy of Hayden Whitburn (your usual correspondence having been stranded on the beach for Flight 8).

In Race 1 Captain Pete (716) charged out of the blocks from the Committee boat end and had a very solid lead by the top mark in some very shifty conditions, leaving everyone else to play catch up.  In winds ranging from 10 - 20 knots, Captain Pete  (716) took 1st place, followed by Feng Shui (1348) and Affinity (1059).

In Race 2, Johnny Melvile in Bobby's Girl (1058) was unstoppable up the first beat with his crack crew of Stu Malloy and a fellow crew-member from Abu Dhabi filling in. They lead around the top mark, followed by Upfront (814) , Affinity (1059) and Feng Shui (1348). 

Bobby's Girl (1058) had an issue at the bottom mark and Upfront (814) took the lead, but didn't cover up the beat and got nailed by a shift which Bobby's Girl read beautifully and took the win from Feng Shui (1348) and Affinity (1059). 

Race 3 was a one lap affair, as the breeze was dying out and getting dark quickly. It  was a lovely sight with the harbour bridge lit up green for St Patrick's Day...

It was all on at the start with a big log jam at the committee boat end, forcing a few boats to tack off early to clear some air which new comer to the class Hugh Rebbeck on Echelon (1379) mastered superbly and controlled the right, but Feng Shui (1348) managed to get a great shift from the left with Bobby’s Girl (1058) closing the gap it was all on, with all boats finishing very close - showing how great the racing really is.

In the end it was Feng Shui (1348) followed by newcomers Echelon (1379) and Bobby’s Girl (1058).

Results are here (flight) and here (series).

A squally, petulant southerly took both distinguished guests and locals by surprise, precipitating some hasty rig adjustments and not a few gear failures, which saw the initial fleet of 14 whittled down to 11 by the final start.

The RNZYS race committee was forced to set a short, cross-harbour course on the flooding tide, but, in spite of the tricky current and a general recall, the RO managed 3 races before the fleet headed home in the gloaming.

The fleet played host to former World Champions, Andy Beadsworth and Simon 'Stir' Fry aboard John Kensington's Unfinished Business (1184) - Pelle Petersson on Vilda Hilda (906) officiating with a hearty, welcoming barge off the first start.  The visitors weathered several more idiomatic rule interpretations and esoteric local customs before finding their usual form with a 2nd place in Race 3 and posting a credible 5th overall, behind Affinity (1059).

Rob Salthouse - keeping Hayden Whitburn's spot aboard Upfront (814) warm during the latter's European sojourn - established beyond reasonable doubt that last week's winning form was no fluke, taking 1st overall from Feng Shui (1348) and Valsheda (950).

With just over a fortnight until the Nationals, now is the time to fix any breakages and to prepare and equip boat and crew.  There is a directory of service providers on the website here - and your correspondent is also happy to assist with finding good, competent and experienced crew (albeit, a little despondent at losing them all to other boats...).  Just email me if you require assistance: [email protected].

Results are here (flight) and here (series).

Sweet Baby Jesus, the racing is getting close out there.  The margins are getting slimmer with each successive week and it is a credit to the series leaders that they are hanging on on to podium berths so tenaciously, when the slightest error can be so brutally punished by a close-following fleet.

Conditions were perfect for Flight 6 and ROs Warwick and Theresa Gair set an excellent course across the breadth of the harbour.  

The committee saw off 3 races, plus the first general recall of the season, for which your correspondent was pathetically grateful, having placed all of his eggs in a boat-end start, that was about to turn to messy, eggy custard.

Guest rock-star helm, Rob Salthouse on Upfront (814) fairly hurtled out of the first start and made startling progress to the first mark, which can only be attributable to beginner's luck.  

Valsheda (950) and Affinity (1059) also took good starts and worked up the left side of the course to round in touch and ultimately take 2nd and 3rd, respectively. 

Aboard Feng Shui (1348), guest rock-star bow, Simon 'Stirfry' Fry must have had trouble with Matt 'G Unit' Kelway's esoteric knitting as Willzy's crew posted an uncharacteristic 8th, behind Tortuga (779) and her rock-starlette bow, Louisa.

However, knots unraveled, Feng Shui (1348) came back strongly to take 1st and 2nd in the next two races, keeping Upfront (814) out in third place.

On the day, a bullet and 2 thirds was enough for Rob Salthouse and crew on Upfront (814) to take out first place.  But a late, gracious retirement  (possibly unprecedented in this fleet) by Auckland Champion, Lincoln Fraser and Maverick (1077), following a tricky windward-mark call, has put Valsheda (950) ahead - and leaves all to play for when Salty returns next week.

Results are here (flight) and here (series)

Flight 4 welcomed Hugh Rebbeck as the new owner of Echelon (1083).  Hugh and his crew, Jono Howson have served their most recent Etchells apprenticeships aboard Tortuga (779) and their results eloquently attest to their faithful attendance to the tutelage of your correspondent.  Fleet veteran, Gavin Gerrard was on hand last night to correct the worst of the damage that I have inflicted and we wish Gavin all the very best for the future.

With the line set excitingly close to the Westhaven breakwater, a fleet of 11 enjoyed three quick and grippingly close races with Valsheda (950) taking a clean sweep.  Bobby's Girl (1058) (minus Johhny Melville) took second and Maverick (1077) just eased out Upfront (814) for third place.

After racing, Jenny Cooper of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club gave a brief, impromptu presentation at Swashbucklers to invite all Etchells sailors to the 2015 Worlds, to be held in Hong Kong in November.  Information regarding this event can be found on the RHKYC website, or by emailing Jenny ([email protected]).  The Worlds in Hong Kong is a truly mouth-watering prospect and all New Zealand sailors are encouraged to participate.

Further information regarding the Worlds will be posted on the website over the next few months.

Next week, the Auckland Champs, hosted by the RNZYS, will be held on successive evenings (Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th).  A dozen Etchells are expected to compete and all are invited to attend the prize-giving at RNZYS on Tuesday after racing.

Results are here (flight) and here (series).

Craig Greenwood and crew of Affinity (1059) re-joined the fleet after an extended Christmas break with a strong performance to take out Flight 3 from Feng Shui (1348) and Valsheda (950).  

On another balmy Auckland evening, with the wind forecast to increase from an initial 12 knots, the crucial call was if and when to peel to a oilskin trouser and, as it transpired, your correspondent and the crew of Tortuga (779) went early:  the breeze dropping to produce uncomfortably  humid conditions on the downwind legs.

This change was also evident on downwind sail selection and in race 3, Valsheda (950) showed an unmatched turn of speed under a reacher, while others soaked ponderously to the finish, to take a convincing win.

The RNZYS race committee had set a shorter course than last week, producing some furious short tacking in a near-slack tide.  The racing was thrillingly close, particularly in race 2, which might have belonged to anyone in a neck-and-neck sprint to the post.

With the Auckland Champs only two weeks away, crews should be hitting their straps in next week's flight.  We look forward to seeing a full complement out on the water.

Results are here (flight) and here (series)

Following the windless abandonment of Flight 1 last week, Flight 2 marked the true opening of the Post-Christmas Series - and what an opener.

A warm, brisk westerly breeze allowed RO Warwick Gair to set a long course and the fleet to stretch its legs after a long Christmas break.  

Straight out of the blocks, Valsheda (950),  Feng Shui (1348)  and Upfront (814) looked to be picking up where they left off on December, but Maverick (1077) and Bobby's Girl (1058) also showed early promise and pose a real threat to the favourites.

Newcomers Foundation (1236) relished their baptismal outing and were never out of touch.  Meanwhile, the peloton was as closely-contested as ever, which bodes well for the Series.

Mark-roundings once again proved decisive:  it is never enough simply to make the mark - rounding and exiting at speed are the key.  An early hoist and set can earn you one or more places in a slow log-jam.

The new default call aboard Tortuga (779) on a port / starboard is 'duck' rather than 'tack'.  This allowed us to maintain boat speed, to stick more effectively to our preferred game-plan and to feel more in control of our own destiny.  Admittedly, this did not make us any better at picking the right side, but it did help us to avoid being bounced to the lay line.

Many thanks to Warwick Gair and Johnny Montgomery and also to Johnny Melville for the use of his RIB.  Thanks also to all whom assisted with marks, anchors etc.

A reminder that the Auckland Champs (hosted by RNZYS) are scheduled for 23rd and 24th February (that is, Monday and Tuesday evenings).

Results are here (flight) and here (series)

Inclement weather has brought the pre-Christmas series to a close, with 7 of 8 scheduled flights raced.  However, the results show that victory for Valsheda II (950) was a virtual certainty, notwithstanding the early bath.  Al Gair and crew sailed an impressive series, taking 1st or 2nd place in every flight, bar one (when Al was absent).  

Impressive, too, was the fact that they sailed every flight.  On the race course, only Feng Shui (1348) seriously threatened their domination, but in this fleet, any mistake - or any absence - is invariably punished.  Accordingly,  Willzy and crew will have to settle for 3rd place, behind Hayden Whitburn  and his crew on Upfront, who also demonstrated consistency in both performance and attendance.

Many thanks as always to everyone who contributed to an excellent series, including (but not limited to) Warwick and Theresa Gair, John and Megan Kensington, Melanie Best and the RNZYS, John Waters, Peter Steele and the crane crew, Craig Greenwood, Hayden Whitburn, Anatole Masfen and Andrew Wills.

We look forward to seeing more crews out on the race course in the New Year, including newcomers Patch Graham, Nick Hazard and Simon Judd.

The post-Christmas series commences on 27th January.  Please check the calendar here for other important dates - including the Auckland and National Champs.

All that remains is to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


Results for the series are here.

The RNZYS RO did well to get racing away, after competing breezes duked it out for supremacy over a fast-flooding tide.  Once a pleasant Westerly had prevailed, the fleet sailed two short sprints - hurtling towards the top mark on the flood, before inching and eking a route back down-tide in a thrilling slow-motion mash-up of chess and all-in wresting.  It was gripping stuff, with boats barely crossing the finish line, inches apart.

As ever, the crew of Vashelda (950) impressed with unlikely boat-speed and dazzling boat-handling to triumph in both races and take the flight.

Various gear failure had sadly depleted the fleet with two boats retiring before and two during the flight, but race 2 was nonetheless a humdinger that remained too close to call until the line.  Pelle Petersson on Verity (241) looked certain to take 2nd, but inexplicably gybed onto port at the finish to let Tortuga (779) cross ahead (v e r y   s l o w l y)  - just behind Valsheda (950).

Next week is the last flight before the Christmas break and we hope to get a decent turn-out:  The series looks secure for Valsheda (950) and second is likely for Upfront (814), but there is everything still to play for the last podium spot.

Results here (flight) and here (series).