| AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND-(8-2-2005) The four-day Sail Auckland 2005 Olympic and Invited Classes Regatta took place in conditions ranging from light and shifty to a blustery 30 knots. Close competition in the Laser Fleet saw Michael Bullot emerge the winner while Olympic Europe sailor Sarah Macky has proven she can adapt back to the new Olympic Class, the Laser Radial.
Michael Bullot finished strongly winning all three races on the final day of the regatta and beating Andrew Murdoch of Kerikeri to the top spot. David Weaver finished 3rd. Bullot is showing consistent form having placed 5th at the recent Sail Melbourne regatta against strong international competition in the Laser fleet and was New Zealand’s top performer.
Top youth went to Blair McLay from Torbay Sailing Club who competed in last years ISAF Youth Worlds and also sailed well in Australia in January.
Yachting New Zealand’s National Coach Ian Neely noted that the sailors who competed recently in Australia had benefited from the experience and were sailing well. Sail Auckland represented the first of three regattas which count towards selection for the New Zealand national team to compete at the World Champs in Brazil later this year. The Laser sailors are back on the water for the Class Nationals next weekend in Napier and then on to Asia Pacifics in Wellington.
“Bullot and McLay both had a couple of good regattas in Australia and have continued their good form. Sail Auckland showed us the tightest sailing we’ve seen in New Zealand for a while and in a wide range of conditions,” says Neely. “At the start of the final day there was only four points between the top three in the Lasers, and it all came down to the last race.”
The Laser Radial created a good deal of interest and some similarly tight sailing. The class has only recently been announced as the new single-handed women’s Olympic class to replace the Europe and being sailed as an open fleet over the weekend in Auckland provided the women with some tough competition.
2004 Olympian, Sarah Macky has once again proven her talent by making the switch from the Europe into the Radial and being first female to finish. Macky won the ISAF Youth Worlds in the Radial back in 1997. Close behind her was Sara Winther of Takapuna Boating Club and Miranda Powrie in 3rd. Olivia Powrie was first Youth to and finished well inside the top ten in 7th place overall and 6th female.
Stand out performers in the 420 class were the Tauranga pair of Peter Burling and Bruce Kennedy. Yachting New Zealand’s High Performance Manager, Peter Lester commends the young pair on their result in the double-handed dinghy.
“These two were the top place-getters in the Starling Nationals a month ago and have just cleaned-up the fleet in the 420’s here”,’ says Lester. “Able to count a clean sweep of race wins they finished on 8 points, that’s 21 points ahead of the guys in 2nd. It’s a great performance and these boys will no doubt be contenders at YouthSail in April.”
Lester also comments on the re-emergence of the 49er as an active class. Jake Bartom and Craig Prentice had a strong regatta beating Scott Kennedy and Chris Kitchen by 11 points.
“It’s great to see some young guys back out on the water in the 49er. The class has been inactive and we’ve now got some quality young talent giving the 49ers a go,” says Lester.
Final Results
Laser Radial - Men
1. Mark Orams, 25 points – B.B.Y.C.
2. Hayden Bruce, 121 points – B.S.B.C.
3. Seth Price,128 points H.B.C.
Laser Radial - Women
1. Sarah Macky, 38 points – K.Y.C. – 1st girl
2. Sara Winther 41 points – T.B.C.l
3. Miranda Powrie, 47 points – K.Y.C.
Laser
1. Michael Bullot, 29 points – M.B.S.C.
2. Andrew Murdoch, 37 points – K.K.C.C.
3. David Weaver, 45 points – T.B.B.C.
Mistral - Men
1. Matthew McCormack, 11 points – M.O.A.
2. Michael Lichtwark,31 points – T.B.C
3. Antonio Cozzolino, 41 points – K.Y.C.
Mistral – Women
1. Sheena McKinnon, 37 points – M.O.A.
2. Anna Eason, 52 points B.B.Y.C.
3. Louise Wilkinson, 92 points – K.Y.C.
420
1. Peter Burling/ Bruce Kennedy , 8 points – T.Y.P.B.C.
2. Adrian Short/ Thomas Ploessel, 29 points – Sandspit Y.C.
3. Josh Junior/ Benn Hanns, 31 points – W.B.B.C.
1st girls – Hayley Wilson/ Rosie Sargisson 36 points – M.B.S.C./ K.Y.C.
470
1. Derek Scott/ Dave Healey, 12 points – Naval Point Y.C.
2. Karen Lambert/ Sally Garrett, 34 points – M.B.S.C. – 1st girls
3. Geoff Woolley/ Mark Overington, 46 points – K.Y.C.
49er
1. Jake Bartrom/ Craig Prentice, 10 points – K.Y.C.
2. Scott Kennedy/ Chris Kitchen, 21 points – K.Y.C.
3. Allan Coutts/ Alastair Gair, 33 points – Milford C.C.
Flying Fifteen
1. Murray Gilbert/ John Burgess – R.A.Y.C.
2. Peter Dallimore/Stu Edgar – R.A.Y.C.
3. Chris Field/ Nick Watson – G.B.C./ R.A.Y.C.
Optimist – Green
1. Hamish Powrie, 5 points – K.Y.C.
2. James Little, 20 points – K.Y.C.
3. Jennifer Mackay, 21 points – M.B.S.C.- 1st girl
Optimist – Open
1. Carl Evans, 10 points – K.Y.C.
2. Paul Snow-Hansen, 16 points – W.B.C.
3. Marcus Hansen, 16 points – M.B.B.C.
1st girl – Susannah Pyatt, 36 points, – M.B.S.C.
P Class
1. Sam Meech, 5 points – Hamilton. Y.C.
2. Mike Adams, 10 points – K.Y.C.
3. Rachel Basevi, 18 points – Sandspit Y.C. – 1st girl
Starling
1. Fernando Gwozdz,9 points – H.S.C.
2. Thomas Olds, 9 points – M.B.S.C.
3. Josh Nixon, 12 points – K.Y.C.
4. 1st girl – Jessica Barrell, 72 points – T.B.C.
Splash
1. Ersin Buckley, 9 points – Tutukaka Y.C.
2. Matthew Jacobson, 10 points – Whangarei Y.C.
3. Andy Maloney, 16 points – K.K.Y.C.
1st girl – Holly Lutze, 62 points – Taipa Y.C.
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