Elliott 5.9 Harken Traveller Series; Oct 7-8 - Sandspit Preview
by Gareth Howard - Elliott 5.9 Association 1 Oct 2023 23:32 BST
Final Harken E5.9 Traveller Series at Sandspit will be sailed this weekend October 7-8, 2023 © Elliot 5.9 Class
The final regatta of the 2023 Harken Traveller Series will be sailed out of Sandspit Yacht Club this weekend 7 - 8 October.
Sandspt has alway proved to be a great location for the final regatta. Most crew stay at the local camping ground and it's a great location for family and supporters to join in. Tony Poolman, Zoot Allures, is catering the get together BBQ on the Friday night at the campground. With a more formal end of series meal at the yacht club on the Saturday night. It's a great social way to finish up another successful year.
On the water, there is still a lot to play for.
In the overall Harken series results, Shapeshifter has a good lead at the top of the table and can not be topped. However, R+R, who have had to miss a number of regatta this year, will be returning for this regatta. No doubt they will be wanting to make a statement and take out this final regatta.
As well, in the class rankings, the absence of R+R has allowed Shapeshifter to creep up on them and R+R and Shapeshifter are now currently tied equal on 1.47 at the top of the rankings. Therefore, whoever finishes ahead in this regatta will top the class rankings for the end of the 2023 season and go into 2024 with bragging rights as the top ranked Elliott 5.9.
Reggae Shark and Revelry currently sit in second and third places respectively. After four regatta, they are only separated by eight points. In the last two regatta, Revelry have slowly closed the gap on Reggae Shark. For these two boats, it will all come down to this last regatta and it is not possible to pick how this battle will play out.
Dirty Circus and Bloodline are also likely to have a close battle in fifth and sixth overall. Again, they are relatively close on points and a good regatta by either of these two boats will secure the upper hand between them. However, lurking in the background, with a good chance of crashing the party, is R+R who sits not too far behind. As well, Zoot Allures could also spoil the party if they pull out another good regatta.
The Ranking Award is also likely to be hard fought. The Ranking award recognises the most improved boat. This is based on the ranking place at the beginning of the series relative to the final overall placing at the end of the series.
This Ranking Award can change quite rapidly, Class Act, the Elliott 5.9 Youth Development boat, currently holds a good advantage and is unlikely to be overhauled. However, there are four boats, Reggae Shark, Revelry, Dirty Circus and Bloodline with a realistic chance of placing second or potentially second equal in this tightly bunched group.
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.