www.crew.org.nz The Home of NZ Sailing

Next Race: Open Series  Race 2 June 27th from 12:00 p.m.

Open Race 4

What a crazy race, the forecast was for a 15 knot south westerly wind all day but the glorious sunshine conspired against that happening, as the day warmed up the wind slowly died so as by the time the very last boats started there was virtually nothing. Everyone sat there drifting watching in hope as the westerly from the upper harbour taunted us all. Adam onboard Jetstream spent an hour tacking backwards and forwards 200 meters from banks buoy but the tide prevented him from rounding it until the breeze filled in, which it eventually did finally bring us the steady wind as promised by the Metservice. Those who stuck close to the mount out of the tide where best positioned to gain from this by staying out of the tide and eventually catching a ride around banks buoy with the tide to 12 west and then home again. Wizzard took line followed by a typically brilliant Rigmarole then Bee Bad in division one. Division two had one of the closest races yet with less than two minutes between the top three and just over five minutes covering the entire division.  More photos in the gallery.

Log Jam at the Mark (thanks to Lance from 2 to Tango for the photo)

 June 6 & 7 racing

It was a weekend of contrasts last weekend, the 2 handed race held on Saturday was wild starting in 15 knots and quickly building to 30 with a lot of waves and spray driven by the so'wester made for an exhilarating sail for the 9 boats that turned out Honours went to Gannet who had a great sail followed by Calumet and Creation, Union Jack gets the entertainment award for the maximum broaches in a single race well done guys. The open race on Sunday could not have been more different the harbour was a millpond so the race committee decided to send the 20 boat fleet out the entrance and around Karewa (the only place there was a somewhat steady breeze) Bee Bad took out first place followed by Pussycat and Not Negotiable with a special mention going to Kaimai Flyer who were Two handed but still had a great result on their handicapping race. Some photos in the gallery.

Winter Series Sailing Instructions, Course Sheet, Racing Rules and Safety Regulations are now available in the downloads section.

3 down so far for our Winter racing and it's shaping up to be a great series, both for the open and 2 handed races. Plenty of new boats turning up as well as the more established boats will see some fantastic competition for 2009. New photos in the Gallery.

 Despite the weather the start of our season went off without a hitch and most people stayed remarkably dry throughout the day. The wind defied all forecasts by remaining below ten knots for most of the race catching a few boats under canvassed. Don't miss the next one on the 10th of May. A few photos in the gallery.

 Winter Series

Starts with a BBQ breakfast on the grassed area at the Southern end of the Tauranga Bridge Marina, followed by a handicapping race mass start at 12 o'clock

Last Seasons News Here