Multihull News
The 2012 Raid is coming soon!
Over the weekend of the 10th 11th and 12th of Febuary the TYPBC will be holding the Matakana Raid, which is a family orientated event open to multihull vessels 5m LOA and over. A circumnavigation of Matakana Island is atempted over several legs (weather permitting). This is a fun event in which compeditiors can mingle with other sailors from around the country.
Matakana Raid 2012 – A race of Two winds
One forecast said easterlies, the other predicted westerlies, and we were stuck in the middle drifting around the channel as the rest of the fleet had sailed into Pilot Bay catching the seabreeze to get around Banks and into the westerly wind. Very frustrating after winning the start. This set the tone of the weekend as these two breezes competed to dominance.
Chris and I finally finished 5th over the line with Jason and Terry on Relentless held off Julian in 49 for a win after some very close racing.
An early start on Saturday saw us standing around waiting for the wind to arrive. Again the competing breezes cancelled each other out. Finally at 9:30, we started our run to Omokoroa, tacking all the way. Wild Thing and Relentless completed the leg with a paddling/tacking duel, with Phil and Chris on Wild Thing getting into the new breeze first and taking the win, with the wind dying soon after, causing the leg to be abandoned.
Time and Tide waits for no man, and this is true for the upper reaches of Tauranga Harbour, which dries out at low tide. Pussy Cat, Double Diamond and Repeat Offender helped tow the smaller cats up to the shallows until the wind kicked in again and the race started again. The Tornadoes popped their kites and the race was on. The westerly climbed up to 8 knots, and it was double Trapezing, hull flying “edge of the seat” sailing, known as “Doing the Wild Thing”, with a top speed of over 17 knots all the way to Athenree. The drag race between the 4 top Tornadoes turned into a tactical gyping duel as the wind moved aft. After several lead changes, Wild Thing crossed the line just a few seconds ahead of Andy and Ben Knowles on Fiesty Feline, followed by 49 and Relentless.
Harry Handley lead the Hobies in again before the easterly tried to take over causing the last cats to be towed in. Lances parents provided a fantastic BBQ followed many beers and Rum and a wet night in the tents.
Sunday morning saw us sailing back up the harbour again as the Bowentown bar was too dangerous to cross. Another tight start saw the Tornados lead off with kites flying, closely followed by Rocketman and Coldplay. At the halfway mark, Fiesty Feline flew past into second place with all sails flapping on the edge of control, while Wild Thing and Relentless sat dead in the water just 50m away. The two winds again. The leading boats again finished within minutes of each other, before the wind died again, and the last boats being towed again.
The final leg started with a flash of paddles, and boats heading in all directions to try and find the wind. Andy Knowles correctly picked the lefthand side, leaving the rest of us fighting for the minor places.
Harry Handley and Bill Caunce with sailing 137 years of experience showed the young whippersnappers how to sail by winning the Hobie 16 division with 3 firsts and a fourth. Rocketman came home first in the 18 foot class, and on a countback, Andy Knowles took the trophy for the second time over Julian Tankard.
Kim Rose from NZL77 has produced this video, check it out: vimeo.com/36999011
Special Thanks to the Sponsors, Bodylline Wetsuits, Seahorse Kontiki's, Fuel Advertising, and Steel Feb. Richard Burting who was the Race Officer, PussyCat, Double Diamond and Repeat Offender, Lances Mum and Dad, and Winston's Dad for helping out and making the weekend so much fun.
On a sadder note, we were grieved to hear that Rob Bond our race officer for the 2011 Matakana Raid passed away over the weekend, he was a gentleman and our thoughts are with his family at this time.
By Phil Scherer