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NZ Race News (Archives) |
October 25th, 2003 - Whangamata beachLabour weekend at WhangamataSummer is coming! Twenty-three boats on the beach is a sure sign and with the temperature rising we are looking forward to an exciting summer season.
Lowrance Matrix on lap two of their third race broke an engine bracket clean off with a bang that was heard on the beach. Stacey showed me the $20 stainless steel cable that saved his $7000 motor - a good investment! Heritage Tiles was another boat with bracket problems which broke while contesting first place with Waikato Sandblasting and caused pilot Dave to veer hard left missing Sandblasting's transom by millimetres - Greg’s comment 'That was bloody close'. Several flips and buoy’s breaking free caused the officials to shorten the days racing. Hard luck for the day has to go to 0800PROPELLOR who flipped in his first race and spent the rest of the day trying to get the motor running again. Good luck on the day would go to Hydraulink - Brent was pleased he did not add anymore notches to his 'Flipper of the Year' trophy. No real surprises in the top ten. COW had a good day coming 7th (why would you call your boat COW? - because it is shorter than the word DIESEL?) Thanks to Derek for his commentatary (www.racecom.co.nz). It gave the beach a great atmosphere and kept the good size crowd informed and entertained. Comments welcome regarding Rodney (Race Director) standing tall on Paul’s pinnacle (patented Uit. helicopter landing pad) getting a good view of the course and the girls eh Rod. Many many thanks to the crew of officials who helped out Amy, Helen, Judi, Hannah, Julie, Melanie, Corinne, Grant, Rod (RD), Matt (Ass.RD). A big thanks to all crews who came and supported us. We would like to invite anyone interested in taking a more permanent part in helping run the race day to contact Rod, Alan or Greg as we will be needing a lot more support in this area during the up-coming Nationals. Alan
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We
arrived at Whangamata to find half metre flat conditions and crews
thinking it was going to be a bit of a drag race. However,
while setting up the beach the waves came, and stayed at two metre
plus all day. The old sea dog who predicts every seventh wave is a
big one has never been to Whangamata! Ask Kane in the Mustangs
boat who hit a single, double, double, single, to pitch pole his
boat in spectacular fashion while running out to B buoy. Let us just
say the conditions were great for racing with the odd twist in the
tail to catch any unsuspecting crew.
It
was a day of delays - starting with three surfers (not locals) who
would not leave the course and then deflated C buoy. The
police came and removed them but this all took time. 
