Elliot 5.9: Bucklands Beach - Traveller Series #4 and Southern Circuit

Elliott 5.9 - competing in the popular Traveller Series © Elliott 5.9 Assoc

The Elliott 5.9 fleet will gather this weekend, 13th and 14th August, at the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club to contest the fourth round of the popular Traveller Series.

This event being the penultimate round of the five regatta series so much interest will focus on the potential battle between the very consistent R+R, helmed by Craig Satterthwaite, and Shapeshifter, helmed by Brett Elliott. Shapeshifter has managed to consistently challenge R+R at the top of the leaderboard, scoring a comfortable win at the last regatta held in Whitianga. With only two regatta remaining, the bragging rights for the season is up for grabs.

An interesting side line to this battle may well be the presence of Cameron Thorpe. Cameron, fresh from winning the Farr 1020 Nationals, will be taking over the helm of Bloodline for this regatta. While this relatively scratch Bloodline crew may lack some Elliott 5.9 experience, the boat is well set up and could well push for podium places.

The ever present Slam Dunk will hope to take advantage of home water knowledge and Revelry, who won on these same waters last year as well as picking up second place in Whitianga, will fancy their chances of challenging for the regatta win.

Southern Circuit. While the Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series will soon be wrapping up at Sandspit on the 24 and 25th September, the newly inaugurated Elliot 5.9 Southern Circuit is now finalised.

The Elliott 5.9 Southern Circuit will consist of three regattas starting with the Elliott 5.9 South Island Championships to be held at Lake Aviemore over Labour weekend. The full details of the series is as follows:

• Southern Circuit #1 - Lake Aviemore 21 - 23 October (Includes South Island Champs)
• Southern Circuit #2 - Lyttleton 3 - 4 December
• Southern Circuit #3 - Nelson 21 - 22 January

With more than ten boats expected for the championship and series, the Southern Series should again provide the close one design racing that the Elliott 5.9 is known for.

Full details and entry information for the Southern Circuit is available on the Elliott 5.9 website elliott59.weebly.com/southern-circuit.html

Full results online elliott59.weebly.com/results.html and pictures online www.facebook.com/elliott5.9

For more information on the Elliott 5.9 Class Association visit www.e59.org.nz

A full list of previous National Champions can be found online here