2024 Open Team Sailing Nationals Report

Day 1:

Day 1 of the 2024 Open Teams Sailing Nationals is off to a cracking start, with 12 teams from around the country competing at Royal Akarana Yacht Club. There’s an excellent forecast for the long weekend, and we are looking forward to some great racing.

After a bit of a delayed start, with AP going up a few times, we settled into racing. By race 12 the breeze had solidified slightly, with light and shifty conditions that allowed some of us to knock the rust out and get into our grooves. These light airs made it hard to do anything too interesting, with each race becoming a drag race from mark one.

Another break in the wind, and another relay of the course got us off to a better start with closer to 10 knots allowing for much more exciting racing. We saw many closer finishes on hard fought battles, and some very vocal sailors could be heard across the course.

With 38 out of 66 races completed, there is a two-way tie at the top with Kiwi Team Racing, and Thievery both on 100%. RNZYS pulled out some excellent racing for 5 wins, with ASC close on their heels. There is a very strong group mid-fleet, with tight racing and only a few wins separating many teams.

Tomorrow’s forecast looks excellent, and we can’t wait to get back out there tomorrow!

Day 2:

Day Two of the 2024 Open Team Racing Nationals stated with some light airs in the morning, which eventually perked up and settled with strong, gusty shifts coming throughout the afternoon. Overall, we saw much tighter and more intense racing, withteams fighting for every win.

By midday, RR1 was completed, with Kiwi Team Racing dominating for 100% wins. ASC managed 9 wins, with Thievery and RNZYS close behind on 8 wins each. A standout team of the day was Wanakans, who started the day with 2 wins, but fought hard in the heavier breeze to claim 7 wins over the day.

The second round robin started strong, and each teams ability to read the water and wind shifts became a huge factor in their racing strategy. Umpires noted some interesting sailing tactics, including BBL’s trial of single-handed racing, and Wamilton’s attempt at an fully-inverted-boat start.

We are looking forward to our final day of racing, with the finish of the second round robin, and the beginning of the finals round.