A successful local yacht regatta was enjoyed once more on Lake Okareka. Many of the entrants were old timers from the community, some of whom had accumulated a history of multiple wins on the Race Cup. The first yacht race was held in 1974 and was established to take a leaf out of the Lake Tarawera New Year’s Day regatta, the legacy for which goes back even further. In 1976 the race was officially set up in memory of Dr Ron Caughey, which makes this year the 38th annual race in the Cup.
This year the handicapping, refined by Bob van Boven, could not have been bet-ter suited to the gentle to moderate wind conditions enjoyed throughout the race. Ensuring the right handicapping is not an easy feat. With a collection of yacht classes in a Mark Foy start, there were only 19 minutes of elapsed time between the winning boat and the last one to cross the line. Almost to the end Bob, in his trusty Monarch 17, was tipped to cross the line first, but the fickle winds close to the finish line gave the lighter boats the last minute edge! Congratulations to all entrants for sailing a great race – not many capsizes – and some good competition. Special congratulations go to the first 4 place getters:
1st Place Harry Lusk Laser (first time winner and grandson of Dr Ron Caughey)
2nd Place Stuart Waite Hobie 14 (winner 2010, 2013)
3rd Place Nick Wrinch Laser (winner 2011)
4th Place Bob van Boven with son George and Dave Scott sailing a Monarch 17
(Bob was winner in 1992 and George in 1985)
Special thanks go to Mike Smith and to Denis Goodwin for laying the race course and for retrieving the buoys - a task they have so willingly undertaken over a number of years, and to Areti Metuamate for time-keeping. Particular thanks also go to Sean Bowyer of Telfer Marine Ltd, 236 Te Ngae Road (cnr Hamiora Place) Rotorua for once more supporting the race and for donating a top quality adult inflatable life jacket as first prize. Sean is an Oka-reka resident, with a longstanding generosity to this local event.
We look forward to seeing everyone next year and to growing the base of young sailors – P’s – Opti’s – Starlings and more! And perhaps put 2016’s race in the diary in anticipation of a party to officially celebrate 40 years of racing and community on Lake Okareka. Thanks to Mike Vincent for supplying the Yacht Race photos.
This year the handicapping, refined by Bob van Boven, could not have been bet-ter suited to the gentle to moderate wind conditions enjoyed throughout the race. Ensuring the right handicapping is not an easy feat. With a collection of yacht classes in a Mark Foy start, there were only 19 minutes of elapsed time between the winning boat and the last one to cross the line. Almost to the end Bob, in his trusty Monarch 17, was tipped to cross the line first, but the fickle winds close to the finish line gave the lighter boats the last minute edge! Congratulations to all entrants for sailing a great race – not many capsizes – and some good competition. Special congratulations go to the first 4 place getters:
1st Place Harry Lusk Laser (first time winner and grandson of Dr Ron Caughey)
2nd Place Stuart Waite Hobie 14 (winner 2010, 2013)
3rd Place Nick Wrinch Laser (winner 2011)
4th Place Bob van Boven with son George and Dave Scott sailing a Monarch 17
(Bob was winner in 1992 and George in 1985)
Special thanks go to Mike Smith and to Denis Goodwin for laying the race course and for retrieving the buoys - a task they have so willingly undertaken over a number of years, and to Areti Metuamate for time-keeping. Particular thanks also go to Sean Bowyer of Telfer Marine Ltd, 236 Te Ngae Road (cnr Hamiora Place) Rotorua for once more supporting the race and for donating a top quality adult inflatable life jacket as first prize. Sean is an Oka-reka resident, with a longstanding generosity to this local event.
We look forward to seeing everyone next year and to growing the base of young sailors – P’s – Opti’s – Starlings and more! And perhaps put 2016’s race in the diary in anticipation of a party to officially celebrate 40 years of racing and community on Lake Okareka. Thanks to Mike Vincent for supplying the Yacht Race photos.
