Click for full results

The Stack Winter Champs were held at Murrays Bay Sailing club over the weekend 5/6 October with a full schedule completed between forecasted lighting storms and heavy rain warnings. Race officer Nick Olson and the MBSC team were highly efficient in rolling through the races at a cracking pace having the fleet back on the beach before 2pm on both days. The club also commented that this was the largest overall fleet, including all classes, since pre-covid, numbering up to over a 160 which is certainly encouraging.

 

The ILCA 6 fleet was slightly smaller than previous years with 15 entrants however was of a solid standard and the hard work that many had put in of the winter was apparent with very tight racing throughout the fleet. Being the first major regatta of the season, it gave some insight into the depth of talent coming through in the ILCA6 class.

 

Saturday was held in 10-15knot choppy North Westerlies with plenty of passing lanes around the track. Racing was very tight with only two points separating the top three and after three races. Stand outs included multiple NZ representative, Chloe Turner (MBSC) with impressive upwind performance and who took out race 3 and Miro Luxford (CBYC) who carved through the fleet with impressive downwind speed when the course angles allowed, taking out races 1 and 2 on the water (however was UFD in the first race).

 

Sundays racing was held in 10-15 Westerly, just off Campbells Bay with the RO having to contend with 40° fluctuations in wind direction. Aaron Begic (MBSC) revelled in the chaos to notch up two second placings and consolidate 2nd overall, only missing out on winning overall on count back. Young Tom Pilkington (MBSC/RNZYS) in his first ILCA 6 event is certainly following in the footsteps of his high achieving siblings who won the first race of the day followed by impressive performances to finish 4th overall. Chloe had another solid day, winning the last race and only being one point short of first equal.

 

Results:

1st Phil Wild (MBSC)

2nd Aaron Begic (MBSC)

3rd Chloe Turner (MBSC), 1st Female

4th Tom Pilkington (RNZYS, MBSC)

10th Kate Rasmussen (MSC/MBSC), 2nd Female

- Phil Wild