Taipa Sailing Club
Taipa Point Road
Mangonui 0420
New Zealand

Tel: +64 (0)9 406 1505
Fax: +64 (0)9 406 0659
Email:
mail@taipasailingclub.co.nz

A SCENE from Saturday first day at the recent splash nationals at Taipa

There were 36 Splash sailors competing for honours at their national championships at Taipa last weekend. Good sailing weather together with support of the local Taipa Sailing Club saw three Northland sailors finishing on the podium.

Andy Maloney from Kerikeri for the second year placed first, with Ersin Buckley from Tutukaka and Thomas Barker from Whangarei in third.

The New Zealand team to attend the 2006 World Splash Championships in Italy on Lake Garda from August 12 - 19 will be named shortly. The team selection will be based on sailors' performances at the Taipa nationals and the Auckland Splash sailing championships which were held at Eastern Beach last weekend. Andy Maloney won both events.

The Splash is an international youth class centreboard dinghy introduced to New Zealand in 1995. Specifically designed to accommodate Optimist sailors who outgrow their boats, it is helping to keep young New Zealanders in the sport of yachting. For further information about the Splash dinghy, contact Chris or Darleen Buckley at Tutukaka, ph (09) 434-4268.

Andy Maloney sails to his second Splash title: Splash Nationals at Taipa

15-year old Kerikeri sailor Andy Maloney successfully defended his 2005 Splash title by taking out the 2006 event in choppy seas off Taipa over the weekend.

36 Splash sailors, including two from Belgium, competed in the two-day event hosted by the Taipa Sailing Club.

Conditions saw the young yachties competing in strong southwesterlies on Saturday. Sunday's conditions saw lighter winds, but there was still a good breeze to test the sailors' mettle.

Results

CHART TOPPERS: From left are Matt Vincent (Nelson, 9th overall and highest placing for a sailor in his first nationals), Anna Evans (Kohimarama, first over-18 division), Spencer Loxton (Kerikeri, 1st under-14 division), Thomas Barker (Whangarei, 3rd overall), Andy Maloney (Kerikeri, 1st overall), Ersin Buckley (Tutukaka, 2nd overall) and Laura Maes (Belgium, 1st girl overall)

Classic sailing at Taipa

The inaugural Juken NZ Taipa Classic sailing regatta was a resounding success.

A fun theme saw a happy time for all the 45 sailors competing.

24 classics were registered with the largest class of Mistrals really getting in to the joy of sailing on beautiful Doubtless Bay waters.

It was so popular, the Kerikeri Mistrals have already pre-booked their accommodation for the 2007 Taipa Classic.

The 18-footer M class from the Bay of Islands named Mairene was a majestic sight and gave the Javelin "Ralf" a good chase in all four races.

Ralf's skipper Dean Lutze and crew Dribs Hopkins showed that practise makes perfect with four flawless wins.

Peace the Mullety also sailed as did three of the club's really old Optis. Two Giants showed they had a good turn of speed and the club hopes to get more up and sailing for the next Classic.

A magic two days of Classic sailing with a very light wind on Sunday for the two fun races the only real regatta disappointment.

Taipa becomes a city of sails over Easter

Far North Optimist class sailors struggled against the best in New Zealand during the nationals at Taipa for four days over the long Easter weekend.

The 2005 NZIODA Optimist Open Championships, described as the nursery of New Zealand's international sailing success, was contested by 193 sailors in the open class and 35 sailors in the green (novices fleet).

Sailors from Auckland clubs again dominated in the event and the top three sailors repeated their 2004 standings, although the order was slightly reversed. First was Paul Snow-Hansen (Wakatere), second was 2004 national champion Daniel Wilcox (Murray's Bay) and third was Carl Evans (Kohimarama). They along with the next two in will go to Europe to defend New Zealand's world title at the 2005 world championships.

The best local result was achieved by Kerikeri Cruising Club's Alexandra Maloney who sailed into 12th spot in the open section while the hosting Taipa club's best result was Benjamin Lutze who sailed into 39th place.

Nevertheless, organisers described the event - the largest yachting regatta in New Zealand - which ran smoothly over the four days as an outstanding success. Event co-chairman John Folkyard said the success was a tribute to the dedication of the organising Taipa Sailing Club committee who have been preparing since July 2004.

"From the powhiri by the Taipa school Kapa Haka group to Monday's prizegiving at the multi-cultural centre the regatta was a wonderful success. All the sailors competed with notable skill and determination to a very high standard,' said John adding thanks to the local volunteers and the event sponsors for their contribution to the event.

Racing conditions over the four days saw big swells and winds up to 20 knots causing carnage for a lot of the less experienced sailors on day one. Day two and three featured more settled conditions with lighter winds from the north-west and southerly quarters.

One of the highlights of the event saw a pod of dolphins present at the first race on Friday morning and again at the finish line on Monday to escort the second fleet of the twelfth race back to the harbour.

Results

TOP TRIO: Carl Evans (third), Paul Snow-Hansen (first)
and Daniel Wilcox (second)

Date Released: 29 March 2005
From: Jodie Perkins (Yachting New Zealand)

Paul Snow-Hansen is the first to claim the 'triple crown' of Junior Sailing by winning three major titles in the same season. He has added the Optimist National Championship title over the Easter weekend to his wins in the Tanner Cup and Tauranga Cup at New Year. Snow-Hansen won the Optimist Nationals in Taipa, Northland a convincing eight points clear of 2nd, clinching the top spot with one race still to sail.

Racing at the Optimist Nationals concluded yesterday with the podium places all going to members of the successful 2004 New Zealand Optimist Team to compete at the World Championships.

Snow-Hansen of Wakatere Boating Club finished on 13 points winning seven of twelve races, while Daniel Wilcox of Murrays Bay Sailing Club was 2nd with 21 points. Carl Evans of Kohimarama Yacht Club finished 3rd with 30 points. Susannah Pyatt of Murrays Bay Sailing Club in 7th place [55 points] was the first girl to finish. 193 sailors competed in the Open fleet.

Snow-Hansen placed 2nd at last years Optimist World Championships in Ecuador. President of the NZ International Dinghy Association, David Glen views this group of young sailors as the talent of the future.

"The reality is we have a group of young sailors here that are sailing together and pushing each other. There is Paul Snow-Hansen, Carl Evans, Daniel Wilcox and a few others that are edging each other along and ensuring the high standards. It's great to see," says Glen.

"It was an excellent weekend of sailing at Taipa. We had fair breezes and a variety of sea conditions. The Optimist Nationals have been sailed for nearly 20 years and this is the first time one sailor has won this title together with the P-Class Tanner and Tauranga Cups in the same season."

The team to represent New Zealand at the 2005 Worlds was announced at the conclusion of the National Championships yesterday and will include the top five place-getters. The strong talent pool lead by Snow-Hansen that has dominated the Optimist Class regattas in recent times will provide New Zealand with high hopes for good results at the Optimist World Championships to be held in late July in Switzerland.

The 2004 New Zealand Team won the Miami Herald Trophy as the top performing team at the 2004 Worlds in Ecuador and was announced joint winners of the 2004 Yachting New Zealand Young Sailor of the Year. Individually Snow-Hansen took 2nd overall and Daniel Wilcox placed 4th. Eligible to compete again this year, the young sailors will be looking to go to Switzerland and improve on last years result.

2005 NZIODA Optimist National Regatta Top Ten Results
Top Five Place-getters selected as the 2005 New Zealand Optimist Team to the World Championships

1st - Paul Snow-Hansen - Wakatere Boating Club - 13 points
2nd - Daniel Wilcox - Murrays Bay Sailing Club - 21 points
3rd - Carl Evans - Kohimarama Yacht Club - 30 points
4th - Luke Deegan - Howick Sailing Club - 32 points
5th - Jason Saunders - Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club - 39 points
6th - Francisco Lardies - Glendowie Boating Club - 41 points
7th - Susannah Pyatt - Murrays Bay Sailing Club - 55 points
8th - George Kool - Glendowie Boating Club - 76 points
9th - Russell Hopper - Murrays Bay Sailing Club - 87 points
10th - Scott Barnes - Murrays Bay Sailing Club - 89 points

Full results are available here.

Aucklander Paul Snow-Hansen is the first to claim the 'triple crown' of junior sailing by winning three major titles in the same season.

He has added the Optimist title to his wins in the Tanner Cup and Tauranga Cup.

The top five in the Optimist regatta will represent New Zealand at the world championships.

Placings

It is countdown time for the biggest sailing event ever to be held at Doubtless Bay when the Taipa Sailing Club hosts the 2005 New Zealand national Optimist championships this Easter weekend, March 24 - 28.

With over 240 Optimists registered, yachts will participate from all over New Zealand and also from Australia, Japan, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Singapore, Hong kong, Philippines and Fiji.

With 'support crews' this means that Doubtless Bay will be hosting up to 1500 visitors or more.

This regatta is the largest centre board regatta in New Zealand and is the 'nursery' for our future international sailors.

New Zealand's Optimist team won the 2004 World Optimist team championships held in Europe and team members will be front runners at the Easter regatta.

All systems are go for the Taipa Sailing Club organising committee as the Toyota sponsored event draws near.

Sailors will battle out 12 races over the four days. The first five place getters will go on to represent New Zealand at the 2005 World champs and the next five will represent New Zealand at the Oceania champs.

The support of neighbouring clubs has been awesome with thanks to Kerikeri, Mangonui, Peach Island Racers, Opua and Russell.

There will be ample viewing from the Taipa foreshore and the headland at the northern end of the beach.

Local attractions over the four days include the taipa School's gala on the Saturday and the Easter Dig.

Local sailors in with a good chance are Paul Snow-Hansen, Alexandra Maloney, Travis Dow, Marcus Hansen and Far North sailors Ben Lutze and Kesiah Deverell.

Doubtless Bay's Taipa Beach is definitely the place to be over Easter weekend. This regatta is a huge event for the Far North.

Andy Maloney sailed to his 2005 National Splash sailing title at Taipa on Sunday by beating Scott Morrison of Kohimarama in a series of races which saw him victorious after a last race cliffhanger.

Also competing at the event was the number-one Dutch Splash sailor Igor van Zalinge along with Ersin Buckley of Tutukaka fresh from his recent win at the Sail Auckland event.

The Splash nationals got underway on Saturday and appeared to be heading towards a four way contest with Igor a close third from Andy next to Whangarei sailor Thomas Barker.

But then Scott, a notorious slow starter, fired off three straight wins as the sea breeze strengthened, and had the fleet by the throat. Andy and Ersin were trading seconds and thirds while Igor and Thomas were getting pushed back into the middle of the 18-boat fleet (with 13 other craft expected at the event absent for various reasons).

Sunday started with a light sea breeze, and Andy finished ahead of Scott in the first two races to take a one point lead going into the decider, while Ersin took the last race, followed by Matt Jacobson and then Blair Tuke, but it was all about whether or not Scott could stay ahead of Andy in the final race.

It was all on from the starting signal - the two sailors matching each other tack for tack, looking for an edge. It came to a sudden end when half way up the last beat, Scott tried to strip Andy on the committee boat. He did, but came unstuck when he crossed the restricted finish line and picked-up a disqualification.

The selection of the 2005 New Zealand World Championship team now rests with the results from the Auckland Championships this weekend.

Splash sailing organiser Chris Buckley noted, "It augers well for New Zealand that five of our sailors finished ahead of the Dutch champion who is looking forward to the Eastern Beach and the Auckland Champs to show the Kiwi team what he has." Chris said it looks like New Zealand will continue its top form in the world's largest youth class in the World Championships in Poland this July, judging by the class of the New Zealand sailors.

Splash Nationals Results

Taipa Sailing Club also held an Optimist regatta on the same weekend. Results saw the open event won by Paul Snow-Hansen (Wakatere) while local sailors were Ben Lutze who finished in 16th place, Keziah Deverell in 19th and Zac Hopkins in 26th.

Optimist Results

Taipa is currently gearing up to host over 250 sailors and their boats for the New Zealand Optimist Championships, the four day event scheduled for the long easter weekend.

The Taipa Sailing Club reported a turnout of nearly 50 sailors from as far south as Auckland for their pre-nationals optimist regatta which went ahead in perfect sailing conditions last weekend.

A balmy easterly breeze, accompanied by insignificant wind swell, gave sailors the perfect chance to use the event designed as a dress rehearsal for the upcoming Opti nationals event in Easter.

Organisers were also able to use the event as preparation, and to identify and iron out any bugs, as they await the expected influx of over 200 sailors from both locally, nationally and internationally for the massive event.

Kerikeri Cruising Club's Graeme McCarty is on the Taipa club's organising committee for the 2005 Opti Nationals and noted this weekend gave everybody the perfect chance to prepare for the event at the prize giving on Sunday.

"We promise the perfect conditions present for this event will also be there for the nationals," he noted. Regatta organiser Dean Lutze agreed, "It's been a really good weekend and everything's coming together. It's all going to happen at Easter," he predicted.

The Optimist is an international sailing class craft responsible for breeding sailors from nine to 15 years of age.

Results

The event included an optimist open regatta, an optimist green regatta (for beginning Optimist sailors) and also a Splash class for nearly a dozen of Northland's best sailors.

Each event featured seven races with points from sailor's six best races, as they dropped their worst race result.

The final placings announcement was delayed for over an hour while the race committee dealt with a protest involving Whangarei's Marcus Hansen in the last race. The protest was upheld and saw Hansen's last finish placing disqualified, resulting in him ending up several places further down the table.