Pupuke Boating Club hosted the 2014 Fresh Water Champs over the weekend of 17 and 18 May.

The regatta was well attended with 40 boats, 26 in the full rig class and 14 in the radials. It was classic autumn conditions on the Saturday with a relatively steady 15-18 knot breeze from the south. With a relatively short start line there was a real emphasis on clear air and having the ability to get on the right side of the first shift in order to stay at the top of the fleet.

Andrew MacKenzie from Kohimarama Yacht Club showed his intensions early in the full rig winning every race on the first day. The competition for the remaining places in the top ten was very tight with many of the sailors exchanging places during the first day.

In the radial fleet Scott Leith continued his dominant form on the first daywith his closest completion coming ftrom James Jennings and Richard Blakey.

Sunday dawned cold, crisp and sunny, had no real breeze to speak of. The race committee was fortunate enough to get away one start late in the day. This was very much a light air affair with thin veins of pressure providing good rewards to those who were able to keep their heads out of the boat.

The final race on the Sunday allowed each sailor to drop one race so in the end it was the results on the Saturday that largely determined the results.

The Pupuke Boating Club again enjoyed very generous sponsorship with a well attended prize giving with great spot prizes up for grabs. All in all it was another great weekend and Pupuke Boating Club is looking forward to hosting the event again in 2015.

- Ben Molloy