NZ Match Racing Championships - Qualifier series: Jury top qualifier – winning 10 out of 10

[Source: Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron] Laurie Jury continued his winning streak today with another four wins, making him top qualifier. Jury will select his opponent to race in the semi finals tomorrow morning.

Graeme Sutherland also had another successful day with another three wins taking his total to 8 wins and 2nd place in the double round robin.

Claiming 3rd spot in the semi finals is Jan Dawson with a total of 5 wins and the last spot went to Michael Thorpe, and crew representing the Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme. Thorpe’s team had to re-sail their fellow Youth Programme members helmed by David Wood to claim the last position in the semi finals. It was all down to the re-sail between these two which was completed after the double round robins. Wood was over at the start and Thorpe sailed away to take the win by 9 seconds.

Wood will race Andrew Barron for 5th place tomorrow morning.

The weather proved a real nightmare for Race Officials today. At the 8.15am briefing the Race Committee was presented with a strong breeze well over the wind limit so the start of racing was delayed until midday. At midday the breeze had dropped substantially, and with heavy rain falling and the crews and officials (armed with plenty of hot coffee) headed out onto the Waitemata Harbour. The umpire team were even spotted with umbrella’s in the chaseboats!

Semi Finals are scheduled to begin at 930hrs on Sunday and there is fantastic viewing from the Westhaven Carpark and seawall.

Points Table
Laurie Jury 10 wins / 0 losses
Graeme Sutherland 8 / 2
Jan Dawson 5 / 5
Michael Thorpe 4 / 6
David Wood 2 / 8
Andrew Barron 1 / 9

Difficult weather conditions at the last qualifying day of the NZ Match Racing Championships. Auckland, 18 November 2006. Photo copyright Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

Difficult weather conditions at the last qualifying day of the NZ Match Racing Championships. Auckland, 18 November 2006. Photo copyright Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron