BUSY 2015 SO FAR

After working through Xmas - New Year I was ready to go sailing.
First up the Waikawa Regatta.
This year we took trailer yachts, I helmed Knoxy's Noelex 22 Christabel, with Knoxy & Alix, Matt, & the 2 Holly's in their Noelex 22, Hairy Navel, and of course Howdie in his Elliott 5.9 Eagle crewed by Steve & Sam.
An impressive 51 entries in total this year, in 5 Divisions.
Our Division the smallest, 3 Canterbury boats, an Elliott 780, and 2 Noelex 22's including Outlaw 3rd at 2014 Nationals.

Race 1 on Saturday the Elliott's took off ahead while we 1st time racers tangled with Tux the other Canterbury 22 off the line, Tux won that battle, Outlaw well ahead, Matt the Holly's bringing up the rear, still coming to grips with their new sails and hangovers.

Race 2 the breeze now up around 13 - 16 we were again in 4th when Outlaw pulled out?
Turns out the 2 old fellas, (even older than me) don't like too much breeze, so a 4th on line.
Matt and the Holly's had missed this one as the were swimming off their hangovers when the gun went.

Race 3 the breeze now up to around 18 but the steadiest I have ever seen in the sounds, Outlaw still out, but Hairy Navel had started, Tux  beat us to the top mark but didn't fly a kite, we were back with them at the bottom mark but again they pulled out, but less this time, however we had a wee kite issue on the hoist and by the time we were sorted we were rounding the bottom mark side by side.
We split tacks,meeting again at the top right on their stern but this time they were hoisting a kite, we were side by side, both having to gybe for the finish, ours went well, theirs not so well, they broached, rounded up then sat for ages head to wind?
Talking later they admitted being forced into a kite on the last run, the round up had put so much force on the rudder that it snapped the blade.
Howdie and the other Elliott had taken off, in the fresh conditions especially on the down hills.
Prize giving later, another fun evening with friends, we had managed 2 2nds and a 1st on handicap.

Day 2 Sunday
A little hung over as we waited for breeze, in came a light NW not as steady as Saturday's northerly, more the typical Sounds breeze we know. varying from 8-14 knots and 20 degree shifts.

Race 4. 2nd Noelex 22 most of the way around the track until the Hairy Navel but in a last lap challenge which turned into a close boat on boat kite reach to the finish, we just managed to hold them off.

Race 5. Very shifty again but this time all 4 Noelex's were closely bunched. Outlaw wasn't clearing out anymore but still leading, Tux, Hairy Navel and ourselves mixing it up all race,
The Navel getting us this time, Outlaw, Hairy Navel, Christabel, Tux,

Race 6. A rerun of previous race pretty much, good close racing.

Overall results
National Trailer yacht handicapping
1st - Overspray - Elliott 780, 2nd - Eagle - Elliott 5.9 (Howdie) 3rd Outlaw - Noelex 22, 4th Christabel (Knoxy, Alix, Kev), 5th Hairy Navel (Matt, Holly McKee, Holly Fry. 6th Tux.

Club handicap, 1st Christabel, 2nd Hairy Navel, 2rd, Outlaw

Great grassroots racing. Thanks Knotty