The Cup is Barcelona bound

Colin Forbes Easter Rally

Hovering between two weather systems, Easter weekend provided a last gasp of summer as the boats sailed across the start line at Northern Leading Buoy in a pleasant SE heading for the “bottom end” of Waiheke Island on Good Friday. Included were three passing marks allowing a shortened course if necessary…and it was!

Rick Menalda and Mark Roberts (aka Moulët) sailed particularly well in Enjoy the Silence to take line and corrected time at Rocky Bay. Some took longer – up to 90 minutes, and others were beaten by the light headwinds and retired. Mike Lanigan (Share Delight) and Garry Locke (Zuben) competed to the last whisper with only 30 secs separation at the finish line.

Saturday’s Rally started one hour earlier to make best use of the SE breeze, which built to a whole 6 knots before crumping out in the Waiheke Channel on our way to Shark Bay. Again, the course was shortened at Sunday Rock with all boats finishing in time for a swim before meeting ashore.

Sunday brunch was enjoyed with many helpers contributing to the fun and games for the families before a rising easterly blew us all homewards in a hurry.

Overall results: Line & 1st on handicap: Enjoy the Silence, Rick Menalda; 2nd: Savante, Brian Watson; 3rd: Hard Labour, Cameron Thorpe

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1/ Ella Scotney – Moerangi. 2/ Mollie Barden, Ella Scotney and Sienna Young watch Ben Young launch his model yacht. 3/ The Squadron one design model boat race. 4/ Overall winner Rick Menalda (Enjoy the Silence) with Sheryl Lanigan (left), Martin Farrand and Sir Ken Stevens (right). 5/ The great Easter egg toss, also won by Rick Menalda and Mark Roberts.