The weekend, 9th – 10th March 24, Lake Taupo Yacht Club (LTYC) again hosted the ILCA North Island Freshwater Champs integrated into their annual centreboard regatta. It was a timely opportunity for ILCA sailors to gather from around the North Island to catch up, share some sunshine and great vibes. The wind might not have been as generous in making its appearance, but the race organisers managed to pull off 6 races over the two days. There were 29 ILCA6s and 16 ILCA 7s from as far as Wellington, Gisborne, Ohope, Raglan, North Shore.

Day 1
The wind tempted enough to launch on time and head out towards Two Mile Bay. A light south breeze provided enough for the RO to get racing underway with a T2 (Triangle, W-L, then beat back to finish line just beyond top mark). There was enough local lake knowledge shift to favour those that went left. As the 7s got round their T2 and were beating up to finish the wind was dropping out. The 6s limped up their second beat, and struggled to keep their sails filled drifting down to bottom mark. To the relief of the front pack, the race was shortened to finish at bottom. A long wait occurred while the wind swung round more easterly, and the course was reset. With risk of the new wind possibly dropping out again, the RO settled for swift T1s, which included a second beat back to top mark and finish line. The favoured left was now replaced for those that could chose the puffs and get clear air. Four races were completed.

In the ILCA 7s young Max Falkner (Tauranga) dominated with three bullets and a second. He has been training at times with Nic Burfoot, and it’s showing. Chris Raynes (Cambridge) hunted down two seconds, and the familiar masters of Mike Knowsley, Andrew Dellabarca, and Simon Beck closely vying for those spots. Mike’s Tamaki chop experience wasn’t needed, but looking for Tamaki wind bouncing around was useful. Andrew and Simon proved they are able to adapt from Worser Bay winds to light shifty lake stuff. The Ohope pair of Mark Macintosh and Barry Cutfield were also in there hunting. Barry claiming a 2nd in race 3.

In the ILCA 6s Winston Liesebach (Napier) showed his dominance with three bullets; and a relaxed 3rd in final race. A close pack of young and masters were hot on his tail. Josh Edmonds (Tamaki) claimed the final bullet of the day. Fijian Olypian Sophia Morgan provided a strong female presence in the front pack claiming one of the 2nds. The pack included familiar faces in Zach Zibbe (Otago, now residing in Auckland), Dave Johnson (Raglan) and Werner Hennig (Hamilton). But it wasn’t that clear cut. Exchanging places occurred each upwind as wind puffs arrives and dropped out all over the course. Second female Rose Dickey (Napier) hunted a 3rd in one race.

By end of Saturday sailors were ready to be towed in, or drift back tired. The highlight of a Lake Taupo regatta has to be their spot prizes evening. Master of ceremonies Phil Clark knows how to pull out prizes and let random names be pulled out. Masters with boom boxes, youth longing for skateboards, plenty of chocolate to win.

Day 2
The gusty night blew out any wind we might have dreamed of; and Sunday arrived with a beautiful calm lake ready for water skiing, wakeboarding or fishing; but not sailing. Folks remained on shore enjoying banter, breakfast, coffee, and spending money with Mike Pasco. Women and girls of all ages shared a Red Diamond Celebration upstairs, in lieu of International Women’s Day on Friday, and as a networking strategy. Young opti and starling girls were privileged to hear from ILCA females that were pursuing various pathways … an Olympian, a national teams racing judge, an international exchange coach, and lots of stories of women teaching women how to back trailers, run girls events, and navigate club politics.

After an hour delay the light wind tempted us back out to a fickle sou-easterly again. Two drift races were painstakingly achieved as T1s. It was a matter of who could sniff out a whiff of wind, pull off effective roll tacks, and sit patiently in their boats daring not to lose the precious little wind out of their sails. Again the same names came to the top.

In the ILCA 7s, Max again nailed a bullet, but decided to give away the next by over roll tacking for a swim. Chris hung onto second, claiming that bullet. And so the familiar names held onto their positions. In the ILCA6s Sophia, inspired by red diamonds cheering for her, claimed the first bullet, with Winston having to work to claim the last of the day. Sunday finished with prize giving, and excitedly hoping for the ILCA.nz sail spot prize, won by Taupo local Rob Kent.

Helen Spencer
 

ILCA 6 Results

ILCA 7 Results