NS14 2017/18 Nationals Title at Largs Bay Sailing Club
by Ross Hansen 15 Jan 2018 06:13 PST
28 December 2017 - 3 January 2018
NS14 2017/18 Nationals © Kathy Hansen
Tasmanian Mcelwee's brother and sister claim stunning NS14 2017/18 Nationals Title at Largs Bay Sailing Club, South Australia. The invitation race was won by 'Skinny Love' NS14 president Alex Poole and Natalia Jastrzebski NS2060 in what would be the only light race of the regatta.
Now the real racing with the 10 heats all raced in SW breeze ranging 12-19knots. 24 boats contested the 49th NS14 Nationals. Very close racing throughout the whole regatta. Six different winners in the first six heats. 'Nth Degree' NS2064 from Gosford NSW Peter and Wil Rivers won the first heat in a very close race.
Early series leaders Alex Poole and Natalia Jastrzebski in 'Skinny Love' SA appeared to be cruising with consistent low scores and lead going into the new year just ahead of Brad and Tahlia Clarke 'Paddy Wack' Teralba Sailing Club NSW, third 'Without a Trace' SA, 'Under The Radar' TAS, 'Risky Too' NSW and ' Talk to the Bird' NSW
The winds were great all regatta but the last five heats slowly increased and this started 'Under the Radar' and 'Risky Toos' comeback.
NS veterans Rob Fish and Cassie Cause also grabbed a win and looked to be making a charge but a broken halyard and then a boom vang haulted there run to the title in 'Talk to the Bird'
Two drops also came into play and proved crucial as both Radar and Risky got to drop high numbers.. Back to back wins on second last day and third and first on final day gave Nick and Brianna a stunning victory! Going around the last mark of last race they had a lot of work rounding in fifth spot. Hansen's on 'Risky Too' was second and 'Skinny Love' third with the regatta going down to the wire. 'Under The Radar ' went right and stunned the fleet winning by just four seconds and only 10 seconds separating top four.
Nick and Brianna are only the second ever brother and sister combo to win an NS14 nationals and the first ever Tasmanians to win in the 49 year history. Great regatta at an excellent venue. The courses were awesome and officials very professional. Everyone enjoyed a nice presentation at Adelaide Yacht club and all shared there stories of good and bad.
Prizes included first, second, third overall, first Junior Skipper, first Handicap, first Female Skipper, first Family, first Heavy Weight, first Veteran (over 50) and first Classic boat.
Next year's 2018/19 Nationals will be the 50th and being held at Illawarra Yacht Club NSW Dec 29th 2018 to Jan 4th 2019
Overall Results
1st 'Under The Radar' NS2004 TAS Nicholas McElwee and Brianna McElwee
2nd 'Risky Too' NS2062 NSW Ross Hansen and Stephanie Hansen
3rd 'Skinny Love' NS2060 SA Alex Poole and Jastrzebski
4th 'Without a trace' NS1982 SA David Gordon and Chris Rivett
5th 'Paddy Wack' NS2045 NSW Brad Clarke and Tahlia Clarke
6th 'Talk to The Bird' NS1983 NSW Robert Fish and Cassie Cause
1st Female Skipper Jess Rivers on 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' NS2009 NSW with Annika Hansen
1st Junior Skipper Adam Bieder 'Lambordinghy' NS2063 NSW Port Hacking with Tiah Hodgson
1st Heavy Weight Adam Cause and Phoebe Cause 'Talk to the Hand' NS2017 NSW Taree
1st Veteran Skipper David Gordon 'Without a Trace' NS1982 SA with Chris Rivett
1st Classic Division Barrie Mcindoe and Magnus Mcindoe on 'Magic and Loss' TAS
1st Family Division Brad and Tahlia Clarke 'Paddy Wack' NSW
1st Handicap 'Powder Burn' NS1936 SA Debbie Colebatch and L Potter