2018 Smart Marine Auckland Laser Masters Champs, Tamaki YC

Americas Cup and Tamaki Commodore Bob Blakey (with sons Scott and Richard explaining he had to give it back now).

A great 2018 Auckland Laser Masters regatta at Tamaki YC on Saturday 7th of April.

It was a big ask for Race Officer Garth and the team to fit in 5 Laser races in combination with Mistrals Champs and Auckland Finn champs.

The sometimes shifty 12 to 19 knot South West conditions were a test of tactics in the morning. But after a 12:30 pm high tide the left side started to play in the afternoon - most of the time.

The course was a Tamaki T2 (Triangle-WIndward Leeward). But with a finish at the top of the course, each race effectively had 3 full beats. So stamina started to pay by the end of the day.

No one had it all their own way in the Standards. The top 4 had at least one win. But overall winner David Ridley had 2 wins and a net 6 after dropping a 4th. He was followed by Kent Copplestone and Ian Barker. Andrew Dellabarca just pipped Cris Brodie on count-back after finishing on equal points.

Phil Wild won the Radials after a battle with Richard Blakey. They finished 1 point apart with Phl having 3 wins and Richard 2. Pete Thomas came 3rd after a tussle with John Pittman.

Great to have some top sailors making a long trip to Auckland to try and take our stuff. Kent Copplestone from Rotorua, Andrew Delabarca from Wellington and John Pittman from New Plymouth. We hope that's the start of a trend.

The after-match was quite special as Commodore Bob Blakey had twisted Grant Dalton's arm - and we had the Americas Cup in the bar and an entertaining talk from Richard Meech from Team New Zealand. It was a bit surreal with a full Commodores Lounge and The Cup just sitting there. Thanks for the loan TNZ - the sailors really appreciated the significant gesture (thanks for winning it too).