Port Nicholson Regatta 2010

by Jodie Bakewell-White

Port Nicholson Regatta 2010 was a huge success with a fleet of 44 entries – nearly a third of those from out of town. Visiting Auckland entry, Georgia Racing came away with the IRC National Championship crown returning the trophy to Jim Farmer and his crew, who won the inaugural IRC Nationals back in 2007.

The Club, hot on the heels of hosting the OK Dinghy World Championships, report that this year’s Port Nicholson regatta was well supported attracting entries to the capital from both north and south. Four boats came from Auckland, plus three New Plymouth entrants, two crossed the Straight from Waikawa and four came from Naval Point Club Lyttleton.

“Day one could be described as carnage on the water,” reports Matt Chan, Events and Communications Coordinator at the Club. “Drinks Trolley nearly ran aground at Evans Bay in race one. Collision between Nedax and Monkey Business; man overboard; a jammed rudder in and two boats towed in race two. And in race three Gucci and Floating Free collided at mark eight.”

Windy Wellington lived up to its name on day two with 30 knots gusting 54 knots resulting in no racing for the day as the AP over A was displayed at 1430hrs.

“After no sailing on day two, the action was in the Wardroom on Saturday night where the regatta party was in full swing. On checking the till system at the end of the regatta it appears 1700 rums were poured over the weekend!”

Four races were held on day three to round out the series and what a series it was! There was plenty of action on and off the water with eight protests received on day three.

And the results...

In Division A Jim Farmer’s Georgia is the newly crowned IRC Champion for 2010.Followed by One Red Dog and Bayleys. Prime Mover was first on PHRF, followed by Esprit and Georgia. On General Handicap Georgia was first followed by Prime Mover and The Guarantee.

In Division B, Black Swan skippered by RPNYC Commodore Peter Vause finished ahead of Blue Magic and Gucci on IRC. On PHRF Blue Magic was first followed by Black Swan and Whistler II. On General Handicap Montego Bay III was first, followed by Splash Palace and Whistler III.

Kiwi Menace II skippered by Mark Berry is the Ross 780 National Champion and 1st on General Handicap followed by XTSea and Lightfingers.

RPNYC Regatta
Yachting New Zealand