The Loyal Grossi Point Yacht Club sailing regatta on Sunday, 22 March, attracted a strong mix of junior and senior sailors, with visiting competitors adding depth to the fleet and plenty of colour on the water.
A trailer load of six Optimists from the Motueka Yacht and Cruising Club, along with six sailors from the advanced group of the club’s learn-to-sail programme, made a big impression at the annual regatta. Accompanied by coaches Paul Appleby, Rowan Boot and Tim Eddington, and supported by parents, the group joined the local Tamaha Sea Scouts in noticeably lowering the average age of the fleet.
After a simple course sailed twice to the wing mark and back, the juniors completed a second race around the full course. Despite being overrun at one stage by the senior fleet, the young sailors made the most of the excellent conditions and produced close, exciting finishes for spectators lining the shore. Hugo, Orrin, Silvaniais, Monty, Malachi and Hunter all recorded top-four finishes across the two races.
The senior fleet started together and did two separate courses. The cruising fleet was led home in both races by the Sea Scout cutter Tamahä. Tamaha Sea Scouts Emily and Isabelle Gravatt sailed strongly, mentored by experienced crew members Neville Bibby and Alison Howitt. Glen Stevens sailed with consistent seconds, wishing for a little more breeze in his vintage Frostbite, which is more than 70 years old.
The open fleet of 10 boats began with a beat to the top mark in Kite Bay, with most arriving together. Six boats ran downwind abreast before the fleet spread on the reach. After the second lap, Brett Farrell took line honours in his Laser. Mike Shirer, fresh from a win at the Māpua regatta the previous week, finished second, with David and Graham Battersby third in their Laser II and first double hander. Visiting sailor John Kennedy, from Lake Mahinapua, sailed well for fourth overall and third Laser.
Race two was closely fought throughout. The Lasers again dominated, with Graham Postles making up for a late start in race one to take line honours from Neil Clifton and Mike Shirer. The Battersbys were again the leading double hander, narrowly ahead of the 420 sailed by Sandra Williams and Andrew Hunter in only their second race together.
Fine, sunny weather and a shifty eight to 10-knot breeze provided near-perfect conditions. The club thanked Jill Reade and Hamish Ballantyne for race management, Amanda Brett and Jesse Loader for course laying and rescue duties, and the Māpua Four Square for providing the regatta’s traditional chocolate fish.
