2019 Interislander Optimist Championship and Port Marlborough Starling Champs – Day 2
by Christel Hopkins 24 Feb 2019 00:23 PST
24 February 2019
8429 Sean Kensington (12th) - Interislander Champs - Day 2, Queen Charlotte YC - February 24, 2019 © Lamirana Photography
Day 2 brought wind from a Southerly direction and two totally different racing condition for 2019 Interislander Optimist Championship and Port Marlborough Starling Champs.
The inner Harbour course was sunny with light winds, great for the spectators. The course in the outer harbour ended up a long way away, towards All Ports Island. Conditions there were shifty with wind strength varying from 5 to over 15 knots in the gusts and a temperature drop of 10 degrees compared to inner harbour.
Opti fleets now divided into Gold and Silver fleet. Race 1 in the Open Opti fleet brought victory to Noah Shirley – KYC/MBSC. Race two; 1st and 2nd place was taken by Brother and sister Joe and Lucy Leith. George Lee Rush couldn’t be deterred any longer and took first place in race 3 and 4 of the day. In the Starling fleet the contest between the four sailors: Jack Manning, Tim Howse, Emily Overend and Harry Edwards went on. None of them giving too much away.
The Rainbow and Green fleet racing inside brought lots of cheers from the spectators on the viewing deck. With the high placings more evenly divided over the sailors. The rainbow sailors also made their way around the course.
Overall results after two days Open fleet and Starling
Open Optimist: 1st George Lee Rush, 2nd Harrison Loretz and 3rd Noah Shirley. First QCYC sailor was Louie Poletti placing 11th.
Starling: 1st Jack Manning, 2nd Emily Overend and 3rd Tim Howse
Results today’s Inner Harbour racing
Green Fleet Opti: 1st Jonty Leech, 2nd Jimmy Scobie (both Charteris Bay sailors), 3rd Jack Pitts from QCYC
Rainbow fleet was won by Liesl Angel Musto from QCYC
Forecast for Sunday is for Southerlies to pick up. Decision to race the outstanding race will be made in the morning.
Sunday morning brought gusty heavy southerlies with bucketloads of rain and poor visibility. Decision made not to race the last race.
Despite today the regatta was a great event. Sailors and supporters had a great time.
All fleets results showed girls ranking high in the top. Prizegiving relocated to the Waikawa Boating Club in Waikawa.
Full results on qcyc.org.nz/interislanderresults.php