420 New Zealand National Championships wrap up
Saturday's heavy weather had blown itself out overnight and racing on the final day started in a light north-easterly that built through the final day of the regatta.
With the outgoing tide pushing the boats towards the line for the start of race 10, and light breezes it was no surprise that the Z flag came out for the third start. The race got away without any penalties and was led from start to finish by Erica Dawson/Ellie Copeland.
The north-esaterly had firmed up by race 11 and the O flag was out for the start. The wind faded in the middle of the race, and the R flag came out at the end of the last beat - to the mystification of many crews. Amanda Norris/Cullen Leroy had led until a capsize on the reach from mark 1 saw them passed, and Taylor Burn/Oskar Rorvik crossing the line first for their fifth win of the regatta.
Race 12, the last race of the Champoinships saw the wind ease soon after the start, and the changes in direction and strength saw the lead change several times before Erica Dawson/Ellie Copeland finished first.
2012 New Zealand 420 National Champions overall are Jayvee Buchannan/Matthew Morrison with Erica Dawson/Ellie Copeland first ladies.
Final Overall Results
| Pos | SailNo | HelmName | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | Pts |
| 1 | 51929 | Jayvee Buchannan/Matthew Morrison | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 2 | -10 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 30 |
| 2 | 52358 | Sam Lee/Sam Thomas | 2 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -7 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 37 |
| 3 | 52577 | Erica Dawson/Ellie Copeland | 4 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 3 | -11 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 46 |
| 4 | 53920 | Taylor Burn/Oscar Rorvik | 5 | 11 | -15 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 48 |
| 5 | 52297 | Layton Hern/Sam Herron | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | -12 | 9 | 7 | 49 |
| 6 | 54589 | Sam Barnett/Ben Caundle | 7 | 2 | -13 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 65 |
| 7 | 51926 | Charlotte Corston/Charles Corston | 9 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 15 | 6 | 8 | (DNF) | 5 | 10 | 2 | 82 |
| 8 | 53928 | Amanda Norris/Cullen Leroy | 12 | 9 | 8 | 11 | (DNF) | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 83 |
| 9 | 52576 | Josie Dawber/Ali Nightingale | -11 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 88 |
| 10 | 52362 | Olivia Mackay/Genivive Saunders | 6 | 8 | 7 | -12 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 90 |
| 11 | 52360 | Taylor Balogh/Mike Anderson | 8 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 6 | (DNF) | DNF | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 93 |
| 12 | 52580 | William Linkhorn/Alex Wotton | 10 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 11 | 9 | -15 | 12 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 109 |
| 13 | 5271 | Eliza Wilkinson/Ella Hyatt-Brown | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | (DNF) | 12 | 9 | DNF | 13 | 14 | 10 | 140 |
| 14 | 51849 | Rosa Hill/Emma Stenhouse | -16 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 147 |
| 15 | 51641 | Russell Wilson/George Novis | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | (RAF) | DNS | 16 | DNF | 16 | 157 |
| 16 | 51850 | Holly Harris/Fenella Bowater | 13 | 15 | -16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 158 |
Restricted Fleet
This year saw 9 boats line up in the restricted division for the first time. These are youngsters who normally sail the 420 boats in school team racing events. They carry a reduced rig and no spinnakers to make them easier to handle.
The division was won by Nelson’s Anita Holmes and Emma Sullivan, 2nd was Timaru’s Alex Whytock and Reuben Hendry, followed by Picton’s Lee Stuart and Brooke Battersby.
The 2012 New Zealand 420 National Championships were hosted by the Naval Point Club Lyttelton, New Zealand. Racing continues through until Sunday 11 March, with 12 races scheduled.
Other Info ...
• Overall Results
• More News
• Photo Gallery
Top Image: © Event Media
