Day 3 of 2012 New Zealand Nationals
Race Officer Brett Willcock used his local knowledge to set a course that offered the safe haven of Diamond Harbour (a harbour within a harbour) just 500m from the start. Heavy weather was forcast, and heavy weather we got, so the opportunity to rest up between races in the calm of Diamond Harbour was greatly appreciated by crews and supporters. For those with interested in old buildings, the top mark was off Fort Jervois - built to defend Lyttelton Harbour during the "Russian scare" of the 1890s (Russia had invaded Afghanistan!)
It had been blowing north easterly all night, and with the course further toward the sea, there was swell as well as the chop.
The 16 open fleet crews were joined today by seven restricted class crews for their two day regatta. The resticted class sails without trapezes or spinnakers and is an ideal way for teams racing crews to sail in a 'classic' regatta.
Race 7 started in about 15 knots, gusting to low 20s. Jayvee Buchanan/Matt Morrison crossed the line first in the hardest conditions so far in the regatta.
Onto race 8 and Taylor Burn/Oskar Rovik took line honours in a race that was starting to show that keeping the boat upright on the downwind was going to be a defining factor
Race 9 gave another win to Burn/Rorvik with an average 20 knots, gusting 30 knots. Taylor and Oskar were one of the few boats not to capsize during the race which saw most of the leading boats go over on the final downwind. Some crews heeded their coachs' advice to 'sail conservatively' - like Amanda Norris/Cullin Leroy (Naval Pt/Timaru YCs), who kept their kite in the bag, improved their race position, and spent less time swimming!
Overall Results after 9 Races
| Pos | SailNo | Crew | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | Pts |
| 1 | 51929 | Jayvee Buchannan/Matthew Morrison | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 2 | -10 | 21 |
| 2 | 52358 | Sam Lee/Sam Thomas | 2 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -7 | 4 | 3 | 24 |
| 3 | 52297 | Layton Hern/Sam Herron | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | -6 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 27 |
| 4 | 53920 | Taylor Burn/Oscar Rorvik | 5 | 11 | -15 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 32 |
| 5 | 52577 | Erica Dawson/Ellie Copeland | 4 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 3 | -11 | 7 | 37 |
| 6 | 54589 | Sam Barnett/Ben Caundle | 7 | 2 | -13 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 11 | 51 |
| 7 | 52362 | Olivia Macky/Genivive Saunders | 6 | 8 | 7 | -12 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 59 |
| 8 | 53928 | Amanda Norris/Cullen Leroy | 12 | 9 | 8 | 11 | (17.0 DNF) | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 63 |
| 9 | 51926 | Charlotte Corston/Charles Corston | 9 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 15 | 6 | 8 | (17.0 DNF) | 65 |
| 10 | 52576 | Josie Dawber/Ali Nightingale | -11 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 67 |
| 11 | 52360 | Taylor Balogh/Mike Anderson | 8 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 6 | (17.0 DNF) | 17.0 DNF | 9 | 69 |
| 12 | 52580 | William Linkhorn/Alex Wotton | 10 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 11 | 9 | -15 | 12 | 5 | 73 |
| 13 | 5271 | Eliza Wilkinson/Ella Hyatt-Brown | 14 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 12 | (17.0 DNF) | 12 | 9 | 17.0 DNF | 103 |
| 14 | 51849 | Rosa Hill/Emma Stenhouse | -16 | 16 | 11 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 106 |
| 15 | 51641 | Russell Wilson/George Novis | 15 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | (17.0 RAF) | 17.0 DNS | 108 |
| 16 | 51850 | Holly Harris/Fenella Bowater | 13 | 15 | -16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 114 |
The 2012 New Zealand 420 National Championships are being hosted by the Naval Point Club Lyttelton, New Zealand. Racing continues through until Sunday 11 March, with 12 races scheduled.
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