Thundercats New Zealand Race News

Race News

3rd & 4th November 2007

Mangawhai Beach, Northland

Despite a rain and no swell forecast Mangawhai turned on a sunny day and a surf break of 2-3 ft for the 3^rd round of the Thundercat club surf champs

15 crews entered including a first time entry Nova Engineering who despite no racing experience managed to finish in the top 10 for the day. Racing was close with a number of new ceasar boats competing plus the new aquarius boats of CSI red and CSI blue. The small surf made for great spectator viewing and helped to mix up the results but it was Jungle Coffee (Gemini) (Glen Burnnand and Matt ‘I’m a slut I’ll copilot for anyone”)who was most consistent and won the day. Matt was also the copilot in the last placed boat of the day. They were followed by Choppa (ceasar) (Cole and Thomas) whose points were compromised when they completed an extra lap during one of the heats. Next was More FM now piloted by Darren Jessop formerly of spaceships who showed amazing form on the day

The day had the usual drama with Monsoon running up the back of Jungle Coffee on the finish line and deflating Jungles rear pontoon however it was only just a rapid deflation of the valve. Monsoon however were unable to continue due to a deflated hijacker. The award for event of the day must however go to our club president Kerry. In the final race of the day he launched into a big wave set and was unfortunate enough to have his new copilot, Bruce in his first time out land on Kerry’s leg breaking his tibia (the fat bone in the lower leg). This was after dispatching his previous copilot Russell Lichtwacke to Waikato Hospital in the previous event with a broken hip .

Thanks must go to the Mangawhai lifeguards and the Northern Region St Johns Ambulance for their assistance

Thank you also to the marshalls of the day Gary Morrison Race director, Sandra Davis race secretary, their wonderful assistants Sarah and Tory from CSI plus D buoy marshalls Ross Munroe and Graham Norton

Next race is Raglan on December 1 which should sort the men from the boys! Please make sure you enter now!