News

Nick Gillies - Waka Huia Wins Close Fought 2022 Young 88 Northern Owners Champs

Published Wed 16 Nov 2022

The winning Crew Left to Right: Glenn Young, Chris Blunden, William Mckenzie, Hayden Whitburn, Matt Steven, Nick Gillies, Isaac McHardie. Photo Chris Cameron - Live Sail Die

Competition is always close throughout the Young 88 fleet and this year's North Sails Young 88 Northern Owners Champs was no different.

Nick Gillies (Waka Huia) had a real battle on his hands with Karyn Drummond (Flash Gordon), both boats finished on nine points after six races. Waka Huia prevailed with a first place in the last race securing the victory and locking away the magnificent Roger Land gifted half model trophy for another year.

Nick was incredibly happy with the win as can be seen by the photo from the prize giving ranking this as his best sailing result yet over 30 years of competitive yachting. Nick said, “We've finished second a few times so to win this time around is very rewarding. It was also the perfect thank you to Robert Brooke, who generously built us a new tiller after the old one broke just days before the regatta."

After also finishing second on countback in the SSANZ two handed triple series Karyn made light of the trend….

"First equal on line but 2nd on count-back, we need to break this habit! Flash was mean as - as were Team Flash thank you crew!!! Thanks to Norths for our new sails too and Live Sail Die for the fabulous pics"

Third on line was Chris Macindoe helming War Machine. A slower start in the light airs of the first few races and a strong finish in a building breeze also saw them outsail their high starting number for a corrected time win on handicap.

Bucklands Beach Yacht Club Race Officer Hamish Tait and his team of volunteers did an amazing job to get in six races on Saturday. The course had to be moved three times to escape the minefield of airless holes that is the leeward side of Rangitoto in a Northerly.

Hamish also had his hands full with a competitive fleet pushing the line hard in an ebbing tide. The "naughty finger" was wagged, the U flag raised to keep the bows back and ensure the remaining races could be started without any further recalls.

Another highlight of this event was to see Young 88 boat number two Richard Ellis' Inner Circle battling it out with boat one, Gary Fowler's recently upgraded Paddy Wagon.

Refurbs and revites are a strong feature of the fleet with former cruisers Gunga Din and Red Rum expected to be next out of the shed and onto the Auckland race track shortly.

Racing was followed by the always fun and social dockside debrief at the Bucklands Beach Marina and prize giving in the club.

Thanks again to hosts Bucklands Beach Yacht Club, Young 88 “East Side” Fleet Captain and event organiser Gavin Haslip (Babe), class and event sponsor North Sails and Live Sail Die's Chris Cameron for the excellent photos.

The Young 88 national fleets continue their summer programs of mid-week racing plus, Bay of Islands Sailing Week, Auckland Regatta and the Harken National Champs in the North.

The Southern fleet builds towards the two Southern Champs regattas that feature in the run up to Sail GP in Christchurch in March.

For full results and photos refer to the links on the Young 88 web site event page here. https://www.young88.org.nz/events/141031/

To stay in touch follow us and join your local fleet group on Facebook via https://www.facebook.com/YoungEightyEight/

Young 88 East Fleet Captain and event organiser Gavin Haslip presents the Roger Land trophy to Nick Gillies (Waka Huia) - A very happy winner. Photo Credit: Young 88 Media