Rod Davis wins NZ Match Racing Championships

[Source: RNZYS] Rod Davis with his Emirates Team New Zealand crew of Tony Rae, Grant Loretz, Chris Ward and Richard Meecham have ‘done the impossible’ have beaten Dean Barker in the finals of the New Zealand Match Racing Championships on the Waitemata harbour today! It was nail – biting racing as Davis won the first, Barker the second, Barker the third, Davis the fourth as the final went down to the very last race in the best of 5 series.

The start was even and during the day the breeze had increased to over 20 knots. This increased breeze tested the crews and Davis’s crew were up to the challenge. At the top mark Davis was around first but Barker was close behind, just a boat length in it. Davis had a good hoist and as the spinnaker set, the boat lurched towards the bottom mark. Barker and team did the same and were right on Davis’ transom. The spectators watching around Westhaven marina and from the Members Bar deck at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron were leaning out over the rock wall and balcony to gain a better line of sight! The race was extremely close!

Rod Davis and Dean Barker race at the finals of the NZ Match Racing Championships. Auckland, 25 November 2007. Photo copyright Chris Cameron

At the top mark for the second time Davis again rounded the top mark in front and kept just in front of Barker to win the race, win the regatta & win the New Zealand Match Racing Championships for the second time!

In the petit final Chris Dickson and his young crew won the first race against Laurie Jury. Jury then went onto to win the next two races in the strengthening breeze and secure third spot in the regatta.

All the competitors commended the Race Committee and Umpires for the excellent job they did through out the series! And all involved are looking forward to next year already!

Rod Davis and Dean Barker race at the finals of the NZ Match Racing Championships. Auckland, 25 November 2007. Photo copyright Chris Cameron