Page 11 - CYAA Magazine Jan 2018 Issue 41

Issue 41 - March 2018 CYAA ©

McKenzie, Philip Brown and new member Friday evening saw a large group at
Stephen Byrne. Doug Shields relived past Swashbucklers restaurant overlooking the
experiences by taking responsibility of skippering Westhaven Marina, where we enjoyed (well some
Waitangi for the whole regatta due to regular of us did) seeing the Australian cricketers chase
skipper, Larry Paul, being unavailable. The other down a record T20 target set by the Kiwis.
sailors were allocated for day 1 by Iain Valentine,
skipper of Frances (A11), to Orion II, Frances, Maybe affected by the cricket result, the next
Waitangi, Paramour and Spray II. morning saw the consequences of differences
between Aussie and Kiwi accents. Richard told
A 1pm start from the Squadron allowed for the the bus driver he wanted to go to the Maritime
light afternoon breeze to strengthen to around 10 Museum, where Waitangi berths, only to find he
knots. With no sign of Cyclone Gita providing was dropped off at the Military Museum! He just
any wind assistance, skippers had to take made it back. Another member staying at a
particular care with the strong tide which was premium hotel ordered eggs and a pot of tea for
doing its best (and succeeded) to push any breakfast. The order was repeated back as eggs
unsuspecting yacht to an early start. On Frances, and potatoes. “No, pot...of....tea” he repeated
Martin and Jennie had little chance when, with carefully. Guess what arrived?
the onboard countdown at 5 seconds to go,
another crew member shouted there was actually Day 2 saw Martin on Thelma, Jennie on Paramour,
20 seconds to go. Richard on Paramour was also David and Philip on Frances and the rest on
OCS but they missed the recall message. The Waitangi. Thelma had the most exciting starts,

Harbour Course # 3, stretching from Orakei Buoy fending off on the start line in one race and a
right under the Harbour Bridge up to Chelsea port/starboard in the other where Thelma was on
Buoy, offered the crews and bystanders a starboard and the other team of 8 did not see or
magnificent display, with gaff’s Rawhiti, Rainbow, hear them. There was a brush of spreaders and
Thelma and Waitangi exhibiting their full rigs for mainsail, an apology after the race and
all to enjoy. fortunately no damage.

Best result for the day was Stephen Byrne on In the first race, all enjoyed the delightful sailing
Spray II finishing first in class while the rest were conditions but only Martin saw success, with
all in the back half of their classes. Orion II with Thelma 2ffkᵈ in its class of 4. In the B Gaff class,
David on board had a DNF when the crew missed Frances finished 6 minutes on handicap and just

that the finish line was beyond the clubhouse under 24 minutes on elapsed time behind the
buoy, not between the buoy and the clubhouse. winner Corona, a magnificent Classic Mullet Boat.
So it meant all other than Martin were on yachts
Back in race headquarters at the RNZYS, our Kiwi finishing last in class.
hosts continued to treat all participants with
fabulous post sailing cheer, hors d’oeuvres and The name McKenzie became the focus Race 3 as
drinks followed by the wonderfully entertaining the McKenzie buoy at the northern end of the
Tony and Michelle Show. Tony Stephenson, course had mysteriously disappeared when the
Master MC, kept the belly laughs going with his A division went looking for it. Whilst there were
commentary on our performance and Michelle reports back at the RNZYS bar that the
ensured all crews benefited from some fabulous disappearance was known two weeks ago, the

spot prizes from many generous sponsors. In Race Committee explained that they had checked
particular, Tony delighted the audience (not all) with the Maritime Authority and were assured
with his ‘naming and shaming’ in a grand attempt that the buoy was in position. Such are the
to curtail the fleet’s starting and mark rounding problems that appear for Race Committees! When
shenanigans.

Page 11