Elliott 5.9: Seven vie for South Island championship crown
by Ellen Palmer 19 Nov 2024 11:07 GMT
Elliott 5.9: Lake Aviemore Classic © Carla Bennett
The Elliott 5.9 South Island fleet had a frustrating but still enjoyable weekend at Lake Aviemore over Labour Weekend and is now coming together again for the second regatta in the Nautilus Braids Southern Traveller Series. This will see a fleet of seven Elliot 5.9s contend to be crowned South Island champions this weekend, 23 -24 November
Unfortunately, both days of the first South Island Southern Circuit at Lake Aviemore were abandoned due to weather. The fleet started ace 1 in a solid 25 knots gusting 30 plus. With yachts in other fleets withdrawing, PRO Brett Willcock pulled the pin after the first lap of the course. However disappointed everyone was, it certainly gave the crews confidence that they could race in those conditions and Retro put Boat 1 on notice by leading to the top mark.
Saturday was still suboptimal conditions. It was snowing. With the fun factor missing, the PRO rightly cancelled racing before the fleet launched. So the fleet headed to the Best Dam Pub for an alternative pool regatta. Fortunately, there was a match racing judge on hand to organise a full match racing pool regatta. As the snow settled on the hills the comradery grew in the fleet and the pool sharks came to the fore.
After five hours the PRO and umpire decided the breeze was dying and sped things up by a one ball penalty shootout quarter finals between Chop, Boat 1, Techno and Eagle. RO declared Eagle and Boat 1 the finalist with Boat 1 prevailing to win the inaugural South Island Elliott 5.9 fleet pool championship. The Nautilus Braids prize pack was graciously given by Shane to Eagle, Mark Howard (Nelson) for the furthest travelled boat in the regatta.
Sunday made the travel worthwhile with a lovely 7-12 knot breeze and sunshine for the Lake Aviemore Classic. Not scoring towards the South Island Southern Circuit, this two laps of the lake race provided some snakes and ladders opportunities. With a downwind start all the 5.9s rounded the mark by the dam in quick succession showing how close the fleet is in boat speed. Boat 1 came to the fore on the long slogs to windward with the final result being Boart 1, Retro, Chop, Eagle. Thanks to the Timaru Yacht & Power Boat Club for incorporating the South IslandI Southern Circuit and RO Brett Willcock and all the other volunteers.
The ability to easily tow the Elliott 5.9 means that seven 5.9s from across the South Island are heading to the beautiful Banks Peninsula this weekend to contest the Elliott 5.9 South Island Champions at Pigeon Bay Boating Club. The forecast is looking promising to get some points on the board for the Nautilus Braids Southern Circuit Series.
Saturday holds promise of a moderate to strong southerly, which will prove shifty conditions that will reward tactical sailing. Sunday promises sunshine and moderate NE breezes.
Shane Smith on Boat One aims to continue his stellar form after a remarkable 2023-24 season, having won both the series and the South Island championships. Meanwhile, Retro, sailed by class sponsor Andrew McFarlane, is sure to continue to keep Shane and crew on their toes. Reheat (ex-Techno) has recently changed hands so will be there with new owners Amanda Norris and Vaughan Bamford. Mark Howard, travelling from Nelson with Eagle will be in the mix, with PBBC commodore Glen Hoban-Watson sure to be putting local knowledge to use sailing Chop. With Erotic and Spurt rounding out the fleet there's going to be battles among battles throughout the fleet. With many crews camping by the bay, the camaraderie among the sailors will continue to be in full swing.
The series will conclude in Nelson on January 18th and 19th, rounding off what promises to be an exciting competition. The overall series will also provide the South Island boats with a great warm up to the national championship to be held in Napier on 3 – 5 April 2025.
Results can be found here elliott59.weebly.com/results.html
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
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.