Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series #5 has to be cancelled due to the Covid restrictions in place.
by Gareth Howard 26 Oct 2021 11:59 BST
R R 2021 Traveller Series winners © Elliott 5.9 Association
Traveller Series
The Elliott 5.9 Sandspit Traveller Series # 5 that was due to take place over the weekend of 6 - 7 November has been cancelled due to the Covid restrictions in place.
While it is unfortunate that the last event of the Traveller Series has had to be cancelled, the Elliott 5.9 class can look back at what has been a highly successful 2021 Traveller Series.
The Elliott 5.9 one design class pedigree combined with the ability to travel to great yachting locations ensured that the Traveller Series was again well supported with a total of 20 boats competing across the whole series. With a total of 40 traces completed in conditions ranging from light and marginal to top of the range squalls, it was again a true test of sailing skill.
Congratulations go to Craig Sattherwaite/ Richard Bearda who campaigned R+R to the overall 2021 Traveller Series title. The Stu Ckark skippers Slam Dunk was second overall with Dave Cochrane securing third in Zoot Allures.
Full results here
South Island Championship
While events up north may have curtailed much of our sailing, the Elliott 5.9 Association was still able to get the inaugural Elliott 5.9 Class South Island Championship away.
The event was run in conjunction with the Timaru Yacht and PowerBoat Club's Aviemore Classic held at Lake Aviemore over 26 - 28 October.
A big thanks goes to TYPBC for hosting the class at such a great event along with the PRO Brett Willcock who ran a great contest. Further thanks goes to Oborns Nautical who generously sponsored the Elliott 5.9 South Island Championship.
Covid again caused some disruption with a number of northern boats unable to make the planned trip south. However, a strong fleet of 6 boats, 5 from the South Island and 1 from Wellington, made for a competitive regatta with the Elliott 5.9 the largest class at the regatta.
With such a good showing by the South Island boats, the class continues to move from strength to strength across the country and the class association will be looking to future develop these southern based E5.9 regattas.
The championship consisted of seven windward leeward races completed over 2 days. Conditions were generally light but built to a nice 15 kts in the afternoon to produce "champagne sailing" sailing conditions.
Retro, skippered by Carla Bennett took out the overall Elliott 5.9 South Island title. Carla is a regular Elliott 5.9 sailor and Carla and her crew were able to draw on their recent strong campaign in the 2021 Traveller Series to help them secure the title.
However, they didn't have it all their own way with Christchurch based Michael Wright, sailing Rapido, taking out race 1 and following it up with 2 thirds on the first day. Saemus Tredinnick, also out of Christchurch, sailing Magpie that he has only recently purchased from Napier, also kept the pressure on with consistent top 2 placings.
In the end, Retro took out the title with Magpie taking second place from Rapido on countback after both boats finished equal on points.
Full results here
The next South Island Elliott 5.9 event are:
- Nelson Trailer Yacht Regatta 21 - 23 January 2022
- Royal Port Nicholson Regatta 18 - 20 February 2022
Elliott E5.9 upcoming events
Look out for the Elliott 5.9 Class Association Traveller Series 2022 dates. The association hopes to release tentative 2022 dates for this series soon.
Next regattas:
Napier Summer Regatta: 28 - 29 November
28 - 29 November 2021 napiersailingclub.org.nz
E5.9 Contact (Bloodline)
Nelson Trailer Yacht Regatta: 21 - 23 January 2022
This is another South Island regatta that will have an E5.9 presence
21 - 23 January 2022 tasmanbaycc.co.nz/nelson-regatta
E5.9 contact (Eagle)
Royal Port Nicholson Regatta: 18 - 20 February 2022
18 - 20 February 2022 rpnyc.org.nz
E5.9 contact (Retro)
Full results online here.
More information at Facebook page and e59.org.nz.