Nelson YC's Dave Shaw wins A Class National title with perfect pointscore
by David Haylock 10 Mar 2025 10:37 GMT
A - class - Combined Int. A-class and Int. Tornado Nationals - Milford Cruising Club - February 2025 © Justin Mitchell
www.justinmitchell.co.nz - Instagram: @jl_mitchell_
A strong fleet of 14 Int A Class catamarans were joined by six Int Tornado Class catamarans for their combined National Championships at Milford Cruising Club in late February.
Nelson YC's Dave Shaw won the A Class National title, in convincing style, winning all but one of the eleven races in the series. He was ahead of four sailors from Wakatere BC, who rounded out the top five overall.
The Tornado Nationals went right down to the wire with Winston Ordish-Benner and Shane Ahern (Tauranga YPBC) and Wayne Limbrick and Dave Lineham (Opua) both topping the leaderboard with 14pts.
With the A Class catamaran worlds being hosted at Milford Cruising Club in November this year, having our Nationals early in the year has helped with the build up and planning for the larger event.
Day 1 of the regatta on Thursday February 20 saw the first two races for the A Class sailed in a late building breeze while the Tornados rigged and came out for a practice (their regatta starting on Friday). This meant a long day on the water with a lot of waiting for breeze and sitting in the sun keeping an eye out for the od sunbathing shark. Once the breeze filled in it was a nice 10kts that allowed the foilers to excel and some tight racing within the fleet.
Come Friday (Day 2)there was a building SW breeze that was always up on the forecast, peeking in the afternoon with squalls and gusts into the high 20's. Four races were sailed with the last race at top end conditions and a thinned out fleet. It provided some great pitch pole photo op's from the mark boats. That evening the sailors and volunteers could relax with a bit of live music and good food while some had repairs to do. This was also a great opportunity for the club members to mingle with the sailors.
Saturday (Day 3)was another fresh SW day with an anxious fleet after the breeze the day before, the foiling A Class cats and the Tornados hit the water while repairs onshore progressed. The boats that went out were treated to a nice high teens breeze with a solid sea state that rewarded good boat handling and decisions.
Day 4 had all boats bar one back on the water, after a bit of mast sharing and more favourable conditions that helped wrap the regatta up with two final races in a nice low teens breeze and flat water.
It's been a long time since Milford Cruising Club on Auckland's North Shore hosted a regatta of any type, so when they were approached by the NZ A Class association and NZ Multihull Yacht Club to host the A Class and Tornado Nationals (20 to 23 February 25), and the A Class worlds in November 2025, Andrew Robertson, the Commodore had some trepidation.
A lot of work has been put in by all three organisations and it showed with a great Nationals that has left everyone feeling good about the upcoming worlds.
Congratulations to Winston Ordish-Benner and Shanae Ahern from TYPBC for taking out the Tornado National title, and Dave Shaw from Nelson for taking out the A Class Open National title and Pat Ashby from Wakatere for taking out the A Class Classic title.
A huge thanks to Megan and Paula as PRO/RO's, assistance from the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club, and the amazing volunteers on the RHiB's. To Adrian from the Multihull Yacht Club for the palatial committee boat and the onshore volunteers who kept the sailors rolling through the races, particularly Christine the club manager. Feedback from the participants, volunteers and locals has been overwhelmingly positive and the Clubs and Association are now focused on delivering a great Worlds event in November.
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