Jack Tar Regatta - Beau Geste wins first Southern Cross Sprint Series

by Andrew Delves - RNZYS/Sail-World.com/nz on 18 Mar 2016 The Jack Tar Auckland Regatta got underway today in solid 15-25 knot winds as the MRX Pacific Keelboat Challenge, and the much anticipated first ever Southern Cross Sprint Series took to the Hauraki Gulf.

The MRX Pacific Keelboat Challenge is a very international affair this year, with four teams from Australia competing including: Chris Way – Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, David McKay – Cronulla Sailing Club, Andy Kearnan – Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Simon Grain – Sandringham Yacht Club and one team from Cercle Nautique Caledonien led by Jean-Louis Chabaud. The remaining three teams are from RNZYS. There is some serious yachting experience among these sailors; with ex-Olympians, Australian Champions in various classes, and notably Simon Grain, who has competed in 16 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races.

Four races were sailed today off Northern Leading beacon, with the RPAYC team leading the way by claiming wins in the first three races, and finishing third in the final race to finish atop the series results heading into the weekend.

Andy Kearnan (CYCA) showed his 35 years sailing experience, picking up a third, second and finishing with a gun in the final race “It was a good day on the water with an average of 15 knot winds on the Waitemata, we’re really enjoying the hospitality at RNZYS and looking forward to the rest of the weekends racing”.

Matt Bouzaid’s’ RNZYS team also had a good day, claiming two second place finishes which has left them sitting in third position overall – a tidy result for the local team who will be trying to win on their home harbour.

The inaugural Southern Cross Sprint Series (a one day IRC Series for the TP52’s before the official Division A Jack Tar racing kicks off tomorrow) saw some seriously exciting racing between the five entrants (Beau Geste, Viento 2, Mayhem, Kia Kaha and Temptation). Race 1 was incredible viewing, with all five 52’s sending it up and down the course in perfect 15-20 knot conditions, in what was undoubtedly the best race of the day.

Beau Geste, helmed by RNZYS member Karl Kwok, showed their class and experience to claim the honours on Line & IRC in an action-packed Race 1. But it wasn’t a complete whitewash - with Mayhem helmed by Harry Dodson sailing superbly and finishing only 59 seconds behind them, and Viento 2 helmed by Connell McLaren only 18 seconds behind Mayhem in third.

Race 2 was a different story, however, with Temptation pulling out before the start to fix some breakages and Mayhem withdrawing from the entire series, leaving only three left on the start line. Beau Geste took the honours again in this race, with Viento 2 finishing just over a minute behind them and Kia Kaha from Opua Cruising Club rounding out third. It was also more of the same in Race 3, but this time, Temptation returned to claim third place and Kia Kaha withdrew before the start.

The series finished with Team Beau Geste comfortably winning Line and IRC, and skipper Karl Kwok enjoyed the days racing - “It was a great day! We haven’t had that much wind for a long time, in and out of NZ, so it was a lot of fun out there. We had raced against the other competitors in the Bay of Islands, so we knew we were in for tough days racing, but it was unfortunate two boats had issues in the last two races. We’re looking forward to getting back out there this weekend!”

Viento 2 took out second place on Line & IRC, with Kia Kaha taking the third spot on the IRC podium and Anatole Masten's Temptation taking the third place over the finish line.

The Jack Tar Auckland Regatta will officially get underway tomorrow, with all 8 Divisions taking to the water for their first races at 0955hrs.

Images from today’s racing are on the RNZYS Facebook Page – www.rnzys.org.nz/rnzys

Results, Images and Press Releases will be posted on the RNZYS Facebook page throughout the weekend, and online at www.aucklandregatta.co.nz or at www.rnzys.org.nz/rnzys-events/jack-tar-auckland-regatta