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New Zealand Labour Weekend 2004

Takapuna Boating Club, Auckland

October 23.- 24.

8 OKs competed in the first regatta of the season held at Takapuna over the Saturday and Sunday of Labour weekend. Numbers were down a bit as there was a clash with the Coastal Classic yacht race and a number of kids regattas, however 4 sailors came up from Napier and Wellington to sail with the locals which was good.

Saturday was great sailing weather with a north easterly breeze blowing 15 to 20 knots and metre high waves. Ben Morrison sailed well for 2 wins and a second placing, with Mark Perrow and Greg Wilcox usually not far behind. Russell Wood led the fleet around the top mark a few times showing he has lost none of his pace uphill, but struggled a bit on the reaches.

Sunday was much lighter and overcast, with 3 races sailed in a dying 5 to 10 knot north easterly and a bit of slop left over from Saturdays breeze. Ben did enough to win the regatta in the first 2 races with a 2nd and 1st placing, Greg was also quick in the light conditions taking the gun in race 4 and pushing Mark back into 3rd overall.

The fleet was split by a huge shift on the first beat of the final race. The three Napier boats worked the right hand side of the course and this was definitely the place to be. Adrian Mannering sailed away to take the gun, Darren Hunt also sailed well to cross second with Trent Pryce in 4th completing the Napier domination of this race.