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Flying Fifteen New Zealand National Championship 2023 at Lake Taupo Yacht Club

by Sally Garrett 16 Nov 2023 23:16 GMT 11-12 November 2023

Thirteen Flying 15 from across the North Island converged on Taupo last weekend for the 2023 New Zealand National Championship. The fleet included six of the boats that travelled to Fremantle for the World Championship in March, plus sailors from Whangeri, Napier and Wellington.

The entire of the North Island was covered by a strong high pressure for the three days of the regatta, bringing clear skies, sun, excellent visibility and yes little wind. Ruapehu covered in snow was visible throughout the racing. The sailing was mentally tough with only one race a day completed on Friday and Saturday, then a flurry of 4 races on Sunday.

Hayden Percy and Scott Pederson sailing their beloved Fflorin won the first three races of the event, showing once again that silver boats are still competitive. They showed good speed in mirror to 5 knots, navigating between the puffs to stay out in front. Behind them the fleet was incredibly tight with 7 boats finishing in just over 30 seconds in the first race.

Flying Fifteen New Zealand National Championship at Lake Taupo - photo © Sally Garrett
Flying Fifteen New Zealand National Championship at Lake Taupo - photo © Sally Garrett

On Sunday with winds rising to maybe 6 knots the President found her speed as her crew Neil Easton finally made it to the windward side of the cockpit allowing them to win the 4th race of the event.

The last race was won by Wayne Avery and Jake Pye, a new combination from Auckland. Jake is better known for his successes in the foiling moth, being NZ and UK National Champion in the International Moth and also leading the World Champs until it was abandoned due to lack of wind.

Off the water the fleet enjoyed the camaraderie of the NZ Sport Boat fleet joining them at Two Mile Sailing Club for beer and pizza. The next event on the calendar is the Auckland Champs at Royal Akarana Yacht Club December 9 and 10, where the fleet will race with the Sport Boats, SR26 keelboats and the 18ft Skiffs.

Flying Fifteen New Zealand National Championship at Lake Taupo - photo © Sally Garrett
Flying Fifteen New Zealand National Championship at Lake Taupo - photo © Sally Garrett

Overall Results:

1st All female crew - FFortune - Jenny Price and Alana Pooley
1st Mixed crew - The GodFFather - Sally Garrett and Neil Easton
1st Skipper over 60 not in the top three - Rob Ward
1st Silver Boat - FFlorin - Hayden Percy and Scott Pederson
1st Classic Boat - FFidgit - Daren Courtnage and Alan Swinney

PosSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4R5R6R7Pts
13091Hayden PercyScott PedersenNapierOTL11171‑811
23662Wayne AveryJake PyeManly sailing clubOTL‑102632114
33840Murray GilbertJonathan BurgessRoyal Port Nicholson YCOTL2‑4244214
4NZL 4003Sally GarrettNeil EastonRoyal Akarana Yacht ClubOTL‑73415417
53714Rob WardMike ValiantOnerahi yacht clubOTL6535‑7322
6NZL 3841Marc RichardsonDavid McIntyreSandspit Yacht ClubOTL‑96723927
7NZL3740Sarah ReynoldsPeter MacartneyRoyal Akarana / Ponsonby CrOTL5756‑10629
8NZL 3754Gavin EarleGraeme RobinsonNapier Sailing ClubOTL3‑9898735
93771Sel PedersenNathan PercyNapierOTL8‑10986536
10NZL 3739Jenny PriceAlana PooleyRAYCOTL4‑11101091043
113088Andrew FowlerSteve PotburyNapier Sailing ClubOTL(DNF)81111111152
1239Daren CourtnageAlan SwinneyParemataOTL11(DNF)1212121259
133552ROGER KNIGHTLYALLAN DRAFFINONERAHI YACHT CLUBOTL(DNC)DNCDNCDNCDNCDNC70

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