Winners are grinners L-R Harry Thurston (skipper & helm), Megan Thomson, Zak Merton, Jonny Bell, Dean Lamb, Isaac Armstrong and David Maloney (absent)

The North Sails Young 88 Southern Champs were held last weekend in the spectacular Akaroa Harbour completing the big two weeks of Young 88 racing.  A solid 13 boat fleet came together to battle it out over the two-day regatta in conditions ranging from light airs and sunshine, through to 25 -30+ knots and less than 100 meters visibility. The event was a true test of woman, man, and machine.

Defending Champion Harry Thurston was back in a different boat racing Eye Spy, kindly lent to the team by Pip McGregor, a new owner in the fleet.  The boat needed work to become race ready and Harry also had to change crew with subs coming off the bench to fill the Covid driven gaps. Despite the challenges faced along the way Eye Spy was expected to be competitive. Multiple Southern Region Champion, Craig Edwards and his crew on Flying Machine had a shaky start to their regatta as well, with a COVID scare on Friday but still made the start on Saturday. A strong performance was also expected from North Sail’s Richard Bicknell and his Auckland based crew on Anders Gillies’ Riot.

Saturday brought an ominous forecast and challenging conditions with a building southerly and rain. Race one was a chance for teams to iron out the creases with boats jumping the gun at the start, missing marks, and incurring penalties. As the second race got underway the wind built into the mid-twenties gusting into the thirties and poor visibility. It became a game of who could find the marks and who was brave enough to hang on and put their kite up downwind. All was going well for Thurston’s team at the front of the pack until a “death roll” got the better of them just before the finish, making the mighty Eye Spy wipe out, handing the race win and an overnight two-point lead to Flying Machine.

A very chilly day two greeted all the teams. They layered up and went out for the battle that was to ensue. Riot pulled out a solid win in the first race of the day followed closely by a fighting Eye Spy and Flying Machine. The racing was intense with lead changes in every race and boats throughout the fleet having much closer battles. At the end of the penultimate race the lead was tied between Eye Spy and Flying Machine with Riot only two points behind, it became a do or die race for everyone. The remainder of the fleet had opportunities to pass another boat in the rankings and in the true southern style they fought for it!The writing was almost on the wall from the start of the last race as Flying Machine was called OCS and Eye Spy were launched off the line, higher and faster than the fleet, keeping the chasing Flying Machine and Riot at bay. Despite the nerves, the Eye Spy crew kept it cool, calm, and collected, executing a perfect race.

The regatta ended with Eye Spy taking the win, Flying Machine in second and Riot third. The first skipper over 65yrs award went to John Wilson on Medium Dry in fourth place with a youth sailor, Rupert Limbrick driving.

Many thanks to Young 88 Southern Fleet Captain Phil Folter and the Akaroa Yacht Club for a very well-run event. Thanks also to the volunteers on and off the water and especially the race management crew led by Race Officer Brett Armstrong. Brett is only twenty-three and defied his age and experience, keeping his cool in the face of adverse conditions and the intensely competitive and vocal fleet to run a faultless event. A big thanks also to the sponsors of the event North Sails and Harken for their continued support of the class and this excellent event.

On water photos credit to Alister Winter and off water photos to the Young 88 Media Team :)

More photos here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3492936454163918&type=3

For more information about the Young 88 and the Class Association refer to the web site www.young88.org.nz and follow on Facebook www.facebook.com/YoungEightyEight