12ft Skiffs: 23 boats contest Invitation Race
by Royal Akarana YC 6 Jan 2018 23:18 NZDT
6 January 2018
New Zealand Interdominion Trials December 2-3, 2017 Royal Akarana Yacht Club, Auckland, New Zealand © Josh McCormack / Auckland Skiff League
It was a day of practice and Mark Foy starts for the 58th 12' Skiff Interdominions which is being hosted by Royal Akarana Yacht Club.
All 23 boats started the practice/invitation race, but five boats opted against crossing the finish line.
The fleet raced in mixed westerly conditions with 10-12 knots at the top mark, sheltered by land in Mechanics Bay, to 20 knots at the bottom mark near the North Head point. The 90 minute race exhausted a few who opted to withdraw, but unfortunately for ASCC, husband and wife crew Graeme and Karen Laurie, they had withdraw due to damage to their rudder box.
“I knew something didn’t feel right and looked back and noticed the rudder box was broken,” said skipper Graeme. “It looks like I have a long night ahead of me!”
The main event starts on Sunday 7th January, with up to four races scheduled. Realistically, only two races are likely to be completed with the first race due to kick off at 1200 hours.