Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series #3 at Whitianga over Matariki Weekend 15-16 July
by Gareth Howard - Elliott 5.9 Association 8 Jul 2023 10:58 BST
8 July 2023
Elliott 5.9 - Traveller Series Preview - Whitianga - July 2023 © Elliott 5.9Assoc
Mercury Bay Boating Club will be hosting the Elliott 5.9 fleet for Harken Traveller Series #3 over Matariki weekend 15 - 16 July.
Much will focus on R+R’s return to the Harken Traveller Series. R+R have had to sit out the opening rounds of the series. In their absence, Shapeshifter have taken a comfortable overall lead in the series.
R+R and Shapeshifter are currently the two top ranked Elliott 5.9’s. While R+R continued their winning ways throughout last year, Shapeshifter finally topped them at this year's Nationals. While it will be hard for R+R to pull back the overall series lead, bragging rights are definitely on the line as well as the overall top overall fleet ranking.
Based on overall form and history, R+R must go into the regatta as favourites but Shapeshifter did win the last time that the Traveller series was held in Whitianga, so it would be unwise to count them out.
While the battle between these two boats will be intriguing, as always, there is a strong presence of other boats who may just slip in to take out the regatta. Reggae Shark currently sit second overall in the series and Slam Dunk are perennial podium finishers. Zoot Allures, Revelry and Nevis also have well proven records.
The fleet will also be welcoming back some more boats. Nyx (formally Ewok) has recently changed hands and will be attending their first Harken Traveller Series event. Nyx should have some good in-fleet rivalry with Class Act, the youth development boat, due to the close connections between these two crews. Bragging rights are definitely up for grabs here.
Another boat returning is Icebreaker. Icebreaker had to sit out some of last year's regattas and this year's nationals.. Icebreaker has always proven to be very competitive. With the next round of the series to be held in their home waters of Opua, they will be looking to get back up to speed as quickly as possible.
Follow results and pictures online www.facebook.com/elliott5.9 and for more information on the Elliott 5.9 Class Association visit www.e59.org.nz
Previous results can be found here elliott59.weebly.com/results.html
About The Elliott 5.9
The Elliott 5.9 emerged in the early 1980’s as a high performing trailer yacht and continues to deliver competitive one design racing in a welcoming fleet of world-class sailors and novices alike. The boats started a revolution with their well-balanced and cost effective design, and quickly become the boat of choice for top club training schemes and a breeding ground for NZ’s America’s Cup, Ocean Race and Olympic champions.
Sailed by a crew of three, the Elliott 5.9 remains a low maintenance sailboat with an efficient single spreader fractional rig, a well-balanced sail plan and practical deck layout. Whether sailing among mixed trailer yachts, sport boat fleets or in a one design setting, the 5.9 is celebrated for its responsiveness and outstanding value.