Nationals Waiuku March 2011

Well, back at work after 8 months. What would I rather be doing. You guessed it, preparing for another Finn regatta.

The pre medal race on day 4 will stand out as one of my favorite Finn highlights. Watching the underdog "Peter Hull" round the top mark first, and the support he received from the yacht club balcony was a sight to behold. Even the class mentor, Dan Slater was jumping up and down screaming "go Pete" with the rest of the medal race boys.

Congratulations to the 2011 champion Dan Slater, even when a few of us tried to get him night clubbing most nights, he still put in a dominant performance in the Waiuku conditions with fluky easterlies. Dan also praised the venue and suggested the Nats should be held here again some time.

I'm sure all the sailors agree we had 4 days of fun on and off the water. The kitchen bitch, Peter Hull, and his lovely helpers Margaret, Shana, Glenys and Michelle made sure we had heaps to eat, and the BBQ at Kevin Stones was an extra treat. Thanks Stoney. The bar never ran dry and we banked heaps, so thanks to those that helped to make the whole event work. There will be a few T shirts left over 3xl $35.

Now to thank the OOD Marcus Firth. What can I say. I new running the regatta at Waiuku would have its issues. We discussed them most mornings before sailing and agreed on a pre race daily briefing so our opinions could be aired and voted on to the benefit of the sailors and the class. This worked well and solved most problems so a successful and full regatta was sailed. Thanks Marcus, Alan, Kevin and all the local volunteers from Waiuku.

Marcus was excited about the venue once he worked out his options, so thanks from the Finn class and hope we have the opportunity to invite you back. Wow what a prize table. To the sponsors. thanks again for supporting the Waiuku Yacht Club.Your donations made the event extra special. All prize winners were appreciative with their gifts. So, many thanks to Peter Kruse "a Finnster" Roger Hall from "Doyle sails". Jimmy Summerville "The Village Bar & Kitchen". "Dave & Maureen's Wines & Spirits" and "CRC" Products.

Now the sailors. I hope you all enjoyed the regatta. To Rob and Ben, hope the trip back to the USA was ok. You two brought real character to the regatta and sailed well. Rob was heard saying "I'll be back". Ben the boys want to know if you received a Thames passport? Let us know some time.

Gerrit for wining your final race, and the look on your face when receiving a Finn class life membership. Priceless.

To John Duff our outgoing secretary. Made the medal race which was his goal. A great regatta and thanks for your secretary years.

Chris Wells from Chch. Winner of the handicap prize, and takes a donated cheque home from the NZ Finn Assoc to the Sth Island Assoc of $500 to help out down there. Chris, Dave Hoogenboom and Ray Hall stayed at my place. Thanks boys we had a ball. Shana enjoyed the company.

The Douglas clan. John, Brad and Daniel Bush. 3 new boats join the fleet. All great sailors, and are keen to see the fleet grow. Brad was one sailor who pushed Dan Hard at times. Good for the class. Great to see Bushy back. And John what a awesome job of refurbishing your Finn.

Ray and Roger Hall. Ray, mister consistent, a 3rd overall and took out the summer series "Craig Monk" trophy. Roger always looked fast and saved his best for the medal race with a 3rd finish. Justin showed good speed all regatta, but will be remembered for hitting Chris over the head with a chair at prize giving, by mistake apparently.

Kevin Stone with his new Dacron sail looked fast, but when it counted in the last race, just pushed tooo hard and canned down wind. this couldn’t take the smile from his face. He had a ball all 4 days. Great to see Dallas Bennett back in a Finn after 20 odd years. Man could he make that boat fly. Welcome back to your club Dallas from the Waiuku boys.(Buy a Finn)

To Stu Munro, Peter Atkinson and Peter Hull what a battle you guys had. Just goes to show there are winners right though the fleet. Awesome racing boys. Brian Saunderson and the sssssss Dirch Andersen were there abouts all regatta. Butch still has the fastest looking boat and Dirch lays down for no one. He was spotted trying to qualify for the medal race without finishing in the top ten. A ssllyy move Dirch. Royce Hawkins had some gear failure which doesn't help for a good result ,but he is one of the keenest in the fleet and is a valued Finnster. My pick for the big improver next season.

Dave Hoogenboom and nzl23 had a right royal ding dong battle all regatta, even finishing overlapped in the medal race. Man it feels good to be back, but the honors went to Dave this time.

A thanks to John Simmons, Commodore Geoff Letcher and Jim Goodare for lending their boats to Chris, Dallas and Ben.

Thanks Sarah and Candice for photos and slide shows after each days sailing. Must mention the little trailer man "Tane Mahuta" for having our beach trolleys read for us and the many photos he took. Thanks my little moko.

Well Finnsters whats left to say. A great nationals with heaps of camaraderie. Sailing in numbers adds up to a "bloody good time." Be involved with next years programme and let the new class secretary, Ray Hall know your thoughts.

Waiuku Masters Champs March 2011

Is a Veterinarian an older Veteran Finn sailor or someone you take your sick dog to?. Minor minor minor. What a great regatta we had. Good courses, good breeze and great camaraderie.

1st the hard luck story. Raymond Hall leading the regatta, only needing a top 3 finish in race 5 to take 1st prize, only to see his mast come down due to a mast step problem. Some positives are the C-Tech mast is OK, and a few days working around the clock should see NZL232 up and running for the Nationals in a fortnight. This opened the regatta up again with several boats in with a chance.

But new Finnster on the NZ Finn fleet scene"Rob Coutts" showed all his Finn sailing knowledge on the last day to take out the regatta by 2 points.

Many of the 13 Finn fleet had memorable moments over the two days. Geoff Letcher sailing as fast as any one. Justin Hurst leading around to top mark twice. Many boats rounding all marks together over 35minutes races. The awesome reaches we shared side by side, and of course the wing mark and all the different ways to round it.

To Peter Atkins on his beautiful wooden Finn, first seen in the Finn fleet for years. And of course the Vanguards, happy with NZL23, and man was Butch fast. Then Stoney won 1st handicap prize. Gerrit is fast, look out when he get's his tactics right. The ssssssss Dirch H, still the best cheat down wind. Duffy was the quiet assassin all weekend, there abouts all regatta and happy sailing amongst his Finn mates.

Then there was Ben Leibowitz from the USA, student to Rob C. Ben finished 3rd overall and 1st apprentice in Jim Goodares' boat. Ben has the ability to become a very good sailor in his chosen class, hopefully a Finn.

A big thanks to Kevin McGee, Ken Letcher, Stu Shadgett Tane Mahuta and Margaret Hull for running the races. The 2 Kitchen boys and barmaids Peter Hull and, welcome back, Kevin Stone. The prize table and "CRC" our regatta sponsor.

Well guys the Nats are just around the corner, still some doubts about our southern mates making the trip. Here's hoping they can.
So we need a good turnout. I repeat myself on this topic all the time, but sail your Finn while and when you can, because the day will come when you can't.

Bloody good sailing all weekend Finnsters, and love the camaraderie.

Results. R Coutts. A Dawson. B Leibowitz. R Hull. B Saunderson. J Hurst. J Duff.
D Andersen. G Letcher. G Bearda. K Stone. P Hull. P Atkinson.

Handicap. K Stone. J Duff P Hull.

Apprentice. B Leibowitz.

Doyle Sails Auckland Champs December 2010

We have a new Auckland Finn "Doyle" champion. Well sailed Dave Hoogenboom.

Sat had the boys sailing in 20<>30 knots. On the Sun the breeze dropped to 0<>5 knots. These conditions made for an interesting regatta.

Ray had a few problems with his boat during the week and sailed brother Rogers Finn with his own gear. In Sat conditions, and the way Ray dominated the first race, the series looked sewn up for him. But within minutes of the 2nd start Ray broke his outhaul and returned to shore. This gave Dave the chance to dominate and he took race 2 with Gerrit and Duffy finishing 2nd and 3rd.

Ray was on the start for race 3, but again gear failure as his vang broke, so back to shore again. Gerrit was fastest up wind in this race but Dave ran him down on the exhilarating reaches to take his 2nd gun, with Gerrit, Duffy and Royce fighting for the other placings, and finishing in this order.

Day 2 and zero breeze till midday. We managed to sail one full race in very light conditions which Ray dominated again and showed us all that he has good speed though the wind range. Another 2nd to Dave with Justin 3rd.

Race 5 lasted one beat as we had to set the finish at the top mark after the drifter came in and the sun came out. Another win to Ray with Dave 2nd followed by Gerrit and Royce. A good call to end the day and series as we had to tow the boats back to shore.

So after all the maths were done with all races counting, we had a champion. "Dave". Ray just pipping Gerrit for 2nd. The official results will be on our website as I don't have a copy while writing this report.

A list of thank you's.

Thanks to Pt Chev yacht club for supporting the Finn class. Nice facilities and plenty of helpers.

Thanks to Doyle sails for sponsoring the regatta. Excellent prizes. Not the same with out Roger. Here's to a speedy recovery Roger from all the boys.

Thanks to those that fronted, a small fleet of 6 boats was a bit disappointing, but we do have Finnsters out injured, and it was a busy weekend for others. Maybe a date change needed.

Thanks to Gerrit and Annette for an excellent BBQ Sat night, and a place to bunk down after the red wines.

Results
David Hoogenboom 10 2 1 1 2 2 8 1
Ray Hall 232 1 6 6 1 1 15 2
Gerrit Bearda 193 4 2 2 5 3 16 3
John Duff 55 3 3 3 4 7 20 4
Royce Hawkins 233 5 4 6 6 4 25 5
Justin Hurst 230 6 6 6 3 7 28 6

The musings of a disgruntled Finn Sailor December 2010

Lots to think about and discuss with the nationals coming up.
A huge commitment needed from us all.
I'm not happy with the courses we will be sailing. Whats wrong with up a downs in the light, and triangles as the breeze builds.
Us that have boats and front up have kept the class afloat for a long time in NZ, so why can't we suggest what works and attracts numbers to the regattas.
Even with some of our regattas now being ranked for spots at major national ones, why now do we get told what we can and can't do on the water.
If this has to happen then the NZ Yachting Federation should step up and supply what's needed to achieve "their" plan at "their" time and "their" cost.
After all the Finn is an Olympic class and the sailor selected represents New Zealand 1st. New Zealand Yachting 2nd, and us as a class 3rd.
Maybe its just me, but I feel a bit fustrated with the demands being put on a few people that have made Finn sailing happen in the past.

North Island Champs November 2010

Congratulations to the 11 finnsters that made the trip to Thames. From a spectators point of view, an awesome regatta, for those that fronted and sailed the light to exhilarating conditions. 6 races with 5 different winners. Brian S, John D(Duffy), Roger H, Ray H, Roger H and Dave H.

All the boats had good speed and the sailor that stacked the hardest went the fastest. Not a lot between rigs, more fitness. OOD Kim Ardmore and his helpers made sure the courses were well set and the program completed. Sat saw the fleet sail in light N/W breeze with lots of overtaking lanes due to shifts and current, but the same for all.

Brian S(Butch) controlled the first race once he had the lead and sailed well to hold out the challenges. Duffy picked the right down wind lane to take the 2nd gun and Roger, in his beautifully o/hauled boat looks the one to beat when the breeze kicked in, taking race 3.

On day 2 Ray showed some off the technique he learnt from the Gold cup by powering his boat around the track with a high work rate up and down wind to take the gun. Roger took his 2nd gun after a quick sail change between races, but was chased hard by the fast improving Dave H and the return of John Douglas, who after many years away from Finn sailing, really fronted up.

If not for a memory lapse I'm sure he could have won race 6 although Dave had the bit between his teeth and powered up the last beat to win going away.

Gerrit was fast all regatta with his ex RH rig and sails, just needs some fitness. Dirch was always in the thick of it, and like I said when skippers stacked their boats went fast. Duffy was a bit down on power for the sun races in 15<>20 from the west, but showed more time in the boat will help. Butch never gave up, and the old Vanguard sure looked like the ex 7 Nat boat. Peter Atkins, Peter Hull and Stu Munro are just a little off the pace in the bigger winds, but the competitiveness amounts the boys was a highlight to watch.

So a great weekend well run by Thames. Thanks to commodore Stu and his helpers, to Kim and the race offices and all the old faces we see each year, we will be back. To Gerrit our sponsor, and to the WYC for the use of their rescue boat, thank you.

Results
Roger Hall 2 (7) 1 3 1 2.
Ray Hall 3 3 2 1 4 (dns).
Dave Hoogenboom 4 (6) 3 4 2 1.
John Douglas (11) 4 4 2 3 5.
Dirch Andersen (6) 2 6 5 5 4.
Brian Saunderson 1 5 5 6 6 (6).
Gerrit Bearda 5 (8) 7 7 7 3.
John Duff 7 1 8 8 dns (dns).
Peter Hull 9 10 9 10 8 (dns)
Stu Munro 10 9 10 10 8 (dns).
Peter Atkinson 8 11 11 11 dns (dns).

Congratulations to the 2010 Nth Island champ Roger Hall and all those that kept him honest.

Like I have said before, our class secret is we do travel, and once we are there we advertise our class and personal well. A pat on the back to you all.

Newsletter August 2010

We now have our regatta venues all confirmed for the 2010 2011 season . This season includes one extra regatta being the spring regatta held at the Waiuku Yacht Club.

Club sailing for Finns will be held regularly at W Y C remainder of winter programme included summer programme will be emailed out when available

Our main regattas are

Spring regatta Waiuku Y C 25th 26th September 2010
North Islands Thames Sailing Club 13th 14th November 2010
Auckland Champs Pt Chev Sailing Club 11th 12th December2010
Nationals Pt Chev Sailing Club 10th 13th February 2011
Waiuku Veteran Finn Regatta 5th 6th March 2011

Winter Sailing Waiuku Y C

August 15th 1pm start
August 29th 12 noon start
September 12th 12 noon start

Finn Gold Cup San Fransisco

We have 6 finnsailors traveling to this years gold cup, Dan Slater, Matt & Rob Coutts ,Brad Douglas, Nik Burfoot And Ray Hall on behalf of all Finnsailors we wish you well and fairsailing

We have a number of Finns that have spent the winter on a diet K Gs being trimmed off by spinning 40 grit sandpaper will be interesting to see how these boats perform this season

Don’t forget we have 3 very good Finns for sale this is a good chance for some new blood to enjoy Finn sailing

Great to see Dawsy getting around after his operation he will be our race officer for the spring regatta then he hopes to be back sailing for the North Islands at Thames

Roger Hall ,John & brad Douglas have all got new C-Tech masts will be great to see them sailing as I understand they are a little different

Good to hear our president Ben is back sailing and will be traveling north for our Nationals

Please contact me with any concerns or ideas you may have anytime see you on the water

Duffy