Hardy fleet at the NZ Finn Winter Champ at Waiuku Boating Club
by Karl Purdie 21 Jun 2018 10:40 BST
21 June 2018
NZ Finn Winter Championships at Waiuku Boating Club © Alan Dawson
Defying the usually reliable Auckland weather forecasts eight sailors made the trek out west from Pukekohe to the spiritual home of Auckland Finn sailors - Waiuku Boating Club for what was to be a sunny, warm predominantly light air regatta.
Situated at the southern most point of the Manukau harbour this club offers some of the most challenging and diabolical windshifts known to finnkind. Truly a venue where consistency and the ability to keep your head out of the boat pays. Waiuku is to Auckland finn sailing what Eden Park is to the AB's. Many a sailor south of the Bombays has been sent home soundly defeated, the raucous cheers of Auckland sailors and their supporters on the yacht club deck ringing in their ears.
Into this caldron of seemingly Auckland invincibility stepped the top four place getters from the recent nationals Karl Purdie (Wellington-Worser Bay), Ray Hall (Auckland-Waiuku), Mark Perrow (Auckland-Waiuku) and David Hoogenboom (Auckland-Waiuku) to do battle once more. They were joined by Dirch Anderson recently returned from a year long hiatus in Asia (Auckland-Waiuku), Gerrit Bearda (Finn legend, Auckland-Waiuku), Gerard Lelieveld (Probie, Auckland-Waiuku) and last but by no means least Cameron Doig (New Blood, Nelson-Nelson SC). Regatta PRO duties were undertaken by Waiuku finn and rugby legend Alan Dawson (recovering from knee surgeries) assisted by nephew Tane (and mate) on the mark laying boat.
After a delay of half an hour waiting for the breeze to fill in racing got underway at 1230 on windward leeward courses, each leg approximately 0.7nm long. The two laps with downwind finish taking approximately 30mins to complete. Wind strength varying between 6&12 knots.
Race one saw the win go to Karl narrowly ahead of fast finishing Dave (second) and Gerard (third). There is nothing worse than hearing seven bow waves rapidly closing the gap and willing that finish line to get closer with every fibre of your being. Race two and Karl won again, this time coming from behind on the final run to free pump his way past Ray for a 0.5m victory, third going again to the consistent Gerard. Race three saw Waiuku local knowledge come to the fore with Ray doing a buffalo girls on the last run, leaping from fourth at the top mark to first at the finish. Karl and Mark clung to second and third by the skin of their teeth from a hard charging local bunch after rounding the top mark well clear in first and second respectively.
After refreshments and fine Indian takeaway at the club the boys descended upon Dawsy's brothers mansion to watch the AB's down the French. The thunder and lightening no match for Brent's surround sound speaker system and 75"s of flat screen splendour. The lazy boys ringing the man cave to end all man caves proving too comfortable for one sailor (Gerrit is buying a zephyr soon) who snored his way through the second half! Following the compulsory post match debrief and further refreshments thoughtfully crafted by Karl's cousin. An impromptu Karaoke session ensured thanks again to Brent's surround sound entertainment system and youtube handily located in the kitchen bar. Dawsie finally dropping the boys back at the club via the local Z Station (for pies, and yes we did remember to blow on them) for a nights kip before sunrise.
Sunday saw the boys descend upon the local cafe for the "big breakfast" all round. A good fuel stock up being seen as compulsory for the free pumping downwinds that lay ahead. Already the wind was at 14 knots with the tide nearly in. At 1200 the fleet launched for what promised to be an epic days sailing. Unfortunately a delay in the start then occurred as Karl tried sail after sail to fit into his borrowed masts halyard lock before finally achieving success and reaching the starting area some 20 minutes late. Following his loss of the day before were the Waiuku gods to have their day again!
Race one went Karl's way and he squeaked a victory from Mark (second) and Dave (third). This was however to be his last win as local Ray stormed the fleet to win the final two races by the biggest margins of the series. However with Karl gaining a third in the second race of the day it was a case of too little too late and the title of 2018 Finn Winter Champ made it's way south of the Bombays to what is currently the home of NZ mono centreboard sailing excellence (with five current national champions and two America's Cup winning crew) - the mighty Worser Bay Boating Club. Ray a scant two points behind took second overall with Mark a further five points back taking out third. The final days racing seeing multiple lead changes in a dying westerly veering north all day.
A huge callout to the Waiuku Boating Club and Dawsey for hosting and running the event. It's not often you can attend a regatta these days where parking isn't a problem, you rig on the grass mere meters from the waters edge and get to sleep in the club. Grass roots sailing at it's most enjoyable and finest! Karl, Cameron and Gerard also extending a further huge thank you to Dawsey for providing them with complete, state of the art finns to race in. With it's beautiful reserve and well appointed club house Waiuku Boating Club is truly one of the most friendly and best organised clubs in New Zealand to sail at.
The Finn is a 4.5m single handed sailing dinghy which has been selected for Olympic competition since 1952. It represents (contrary to World Sailing's totally out of touch view) the pinnacle of sailing's combined strength and cardiovascular fitness requirements. Suited most ideally for men of 85-110kg and 1.8 - 2m in height this boat is not for the faint hearted. In combination with its extensive tuning requirements this boat is truly the most Olympic of all sailing classes. Notwithstanding this the backbone of the class nationally and internationally is its base of 40+ year old members (masters) who each year hold a World Masters Championship where in excess of 200-300 sailors gather, making it one of the largest one design regattas in the world. Contact your local Finn sailor today to be introduced to this class and become a part of the legend.