First Class Sir Peter Blake

December 9, 2020

A great set of results from Wakatere sailors at last weekend's Sir Peter Blake Regatta to share with the whole club -

For those new to sailing, this junior and youth class regatta is said to be the biggest 2 day sailing event in the southern hemisphere but more importantly holds a special place in the hearts of NZ sailors as a tribute to the late Sir Peter Blake.

This year the sailors had 2 very shifty offshore days to contend with, some excelling and some learning some big lessons. Special mention has to go to the Opti Green fleet where the SPB was their first regatta with 74 boats on the line and everybody doing a stellar job under our head coach Lydia G's guidance.

Congratulations to all the class winners, place getters and team players. Many reaching personal bests at some point during the regatta.

Here are the Wakatere podium placings:

1st Opti Open - Cam Brown
2nd Opti Open - Will Mason
1st Opti Open Female - Tessa Clinton (8th overall)
2nd RS Feva Youth - Kaan Yacizi/Rye Brady (4th overall)
3rd RS Feva Youth - Liam Richards/Ashton Williamson (5th overall)
1st RS Feva Youth Female - Daniella Wooldridge/Katie Mulcahy MBSC (8th overall)
1st RS Feva Adult - Ashton Cooke/Simon Cooke RAYC
1st Starling - Ethan Fong
3rd Starling - Josh Hyde
1st Laser Radial Youth Female - Greta Pilkington (6th overall)
1st 420 Youth Female - Vivien Webster Chung/Kiera Sinton
2nd 29er - George Lee Rush/Josh Schon
2nd 29er Youth Female - Amelia Angus/ Carrington Brady
1st iQFoil - Thomas Crook
2nd iQFoil - Max Van der Zalm

Apart from the strong Wakatere representation across the classes, the prize-giving highlight was the presentation of the overall 2020 Sir Peter Blake Memorial Trophy to Wakatere club member and 29er sailor George Lee Rush. Outstanding! Especially wonderful to have it presented by the 2019 recipient, Wakatere Laser sailor Luke Cashmore. This prestigious trophy is awarded in honour of Sir Peter Blake to celebrate racing success, leadership, and competitive spirit.

Thanks to the Green Fleet Opti support crew who did a fantastic job of organising the whole club this year, which was a massive team of 45 Wakatere sailors across all classes. The social team organised drinks as the sailors came off the water on Saturday and burgers later in the afternoon which was as usual, a great success. Thank you.

"Congratulations to all involved" - Commodore Ed Crook.
Results: https://www.torbaysailing.club/spbr-results.html

More photos on our facebook page
Photos thanks to Live Sail Die