A tremendously successful weekend in Taupo, with 50 ILCA's meeting for the inaugural North Island Freshwater Championship, held as part of the Bayleys Taupo Centreboard Regatta. The ideas was to have a late season get-together for all NI sailors and it worked a treat, with fleets of 25 ILCA 6 and 25 ILCA 7 enjoying typically challenging Taupo conditions. 4 races in 5 to 12 knot SW breezes were completed on both Saturday and Sunday. Both fleets were a mix of youth and experience, and while the cream rose to the top in both fleets there were plenty of challenges for everyone in the shifty conditions. A strong local turnout was bolstered by sailors from all over the island, which made for a great spectacle and there was a fantastic atmosphere around the club all weekend.

 

In the ILCA 7 Dylan Forsyth ended up the decisive winner, but he was made to work for it in every race. GGM Barry Cutfield and Master Michael Gray both elegantly showed the benefits of age and wisdom can overcome youthful athleticism, winning the third race and eighth races respectively, and generally several of the masters were in the mix in every race. Consistency as usual though ruled the overall results and it was George Pilkington who ended up second overall to Dylan, with perennial top GM Andrew Dellabarca third and the leading master overall. Others who had a really impressive and consistent weekends were leading GGM (and the oldest and clearly thus wisest sailor in the fleet) John Pitman from New Plymouth in 4th overall and Worser Bay's Simon Beck 5th overall.

 

In the ILCA 6, Olympic squad member Greta Pilkington was pretty dominant all weekend, discarding a 2nd for a decisive overall victory. She was followed by a tight bunch who fought out the minor placings all weekend. Hamilton's George Lane ultimately secured second overall ahead of Worser Bays Olivia Christie. Leading Master was  Dave Johnson from Tauranga in 4th overall and leading youth boy was Winston Liesebach in am impressive 5th. Just being at the regatta from Napier was an achievement as they had to negotiate a torturous long trek from Napier because of the Napier Taupo road still being closed after the floods. Miya Prescott from Tauranga had a great weekend, showing real consistency to be 8th overall and leading youth girl. Leading women's Masters was Helen Spencer, who's spectacular 4th in race 2 achieved the almost unbelievable, leaving Helen speechless for at least 30 seconds!

 

So overall a wonderful venue, lovely conditions and a great atmosphere delivered a really successful inaugural North Island ILCA Freshwater Championship, so good that its already in the calendar for a repeat same place, same time, next year so put it in the diary now!

 

Nick Page