NZ Race News (Archives)

For the second year in a row, Muriwai Beach - famous for it’s big surf and tough conditions - only offered us glassy ½ metre waves.  With everyone helping, the beach was setup and the course laid out by 10am.

Welcome to new boat and crew - Bay of Islands Marine.   While they couldn’t enter the championship they were able to race on the outside grid in their heats and gain some valuable experience.

The day's racing was a stop-start affair in most heats, with some spectacular flips and exits by drivers and co-pilots. Brent & Stacey in Reaction Screenprint completed a most graceful flip between D & E buoy. The boat launched skywards and flew straight for a few seconds before completing a full loop and falling back into the surf. Neither were injured and the boat was dragged back to the beach safely.

As the day progressed the surf picked up with the odd 2 metre set standing up, which made it important to read the waves and pick your way through.   Once again Greg Powell in Waikato Sandblasting picked the better lines and read the waves superbly.

A couple of heats were won and lost on the run up to the finish line.  Boats hitting the beach fast caused a few co-pilots to tumble up the sand and lose a place or two.  

From my position as Starter, the racing was clean and hard, with racing room being given and lines held to the buoys……..well most of the time.   When everyone races to the rules, the day flows easier and we all enjoy ourselves, Officials and Racers alike.  

Waikato Sandblasting are looking un-catchable after 3 of the 5 rounds have now been completed. There are a couple of boats still within reach but it will be a big effort to close the points gap.   

Round 4 is the killer Long Haul race from Orewa Beach - approx 200 kms out into open water.  Those that remember last year's event will expect punishing conditions.  Only 9 of 18 boats actually finished last year with broken gear and bodies taking it’s toll.  A note to all competitors, strapping tape will prevent you from bleeding!!

See you there  J

Rod Klaassen
Race Official

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Revised: February 2, 2004