2016 National Championship titles were won by the small boats in each division with CU (Ross 8) cleaning up Division B and Helter Skelter (Bieker 765) winning Division A. It was too hard for the organising committee to pick between the two winners so both boats were awarded overall regatta champions and awarded the Ross Telford Memorial Trophy.
Racing 3 days in stunning conditions, CU didn’t need to compete in the last race, with an unbeatable lead after 8 races winning Div B on line, general handicap and PHRF. Skippered by Rodney Keenan, CU showed the bigger boats in the 19 boat fleet how it’s done. Tatra Lass (Ross 780) was second on PHRF and Prime Mover (Farr 1104) third. Results of general handicap mixed things up a bit as White Cavalier (IOR 1/2 ton) taking second place and Wiseguy (Young 88) third.
Division A was a smaller, more diverse fleet with the Newick trimaran St Laurence winning the regatta on line, but the smallest boat in the division Helter Skelter sailed above their length to win on PHRF and general handicap.
Satellite Spy (Ross 40) won the battle of the 40 footers, coming second on PHRF and third on general handicap which made their trip over from Waikawa worth their while. The Roger Land Trophy for first Young 88 on line was awarded to Mike West on Whistler 111.
Wellington turned on unusual conditions with 3 days of sun and nothing over 20 knots – believed to be a record for Port Nic Regatta, sailed in the windiest capital in the world.
A big thanks to Line 7 and our other sponsors, the Race Management team led by John and Linda Parrish and to all the competitors for making the 2016 Port Nicholson Line 7 Regatta such a success. As most of the organising committee is stepping down – if you would like to help run next years event now is the time to volunteer, contact portnicholsonregatta@gmail.com.