Elliott 5.9 Nationals: R+R wins Burnsco Elliott 5.9 Nationals

Elliott 5.9 2024 Nationals fleet lined up at Marsden Cove © Elliott 5.9

R+R, campaigned by Craig Satterthwaite and Bart Bearda, took out the Burnsco Elliott 5.9 National title over the weekend.

This is now R+R’s ninth Elliott 5.9 National title but again they had to sail well to head off a number of serious contenders.

After sitting in third place overall after day one, R+R displayed superb tactical sailing to take control of the regatta on day two. The racing was extremely tight, with just boat lengths separating the finishers. It was in these situations that R+R showed excellent boat placement to take controlling positions at crucial times resulting in four race wins on day two.

On day one, in light to moderate westerlies, the initial challenge for the title came from Slam Dunk, who opened the regatta with two firsts and a third. However, it was consistency from Revelry and Bloodline who held the joint lead after five races on day one with R+R sitting back in third.

Day two, in moderate westerlies, was moving-day for R+R. With four wins they made a real statement and laid down the marker for the rest of the fleet. Revelry backed up their good first day with another solid day but found themselves four points behind R+R with Slam Dunk just a couple of points further back.

Day three was a strong southerly gusting up to 25 kts. R+R, with their vast experience, would always be hard to beat in these conditions and so it proved out with another two wins. However, Revelry did manage to take out one of the most commanding race wins of the regatta when they cleared away from the fleet in the last race. R+R placed a solid second and this ensured that they reclaimed the title that had slipped from their grasp last year.

Revelry took out second overall and also won the 40 Stone Trophy. This trophy goes to the first crew with a combined weight under 255 kg, or 85 Kg crew weight average. With one of the heavier crews winning the regatta and one of the lighter crews taking out second, proving that crew weight is not the deciding factor.

Slam Dunk took out third place overall and it was only a little lack of consistency in two races on day one that probably cost them the opportunity to press for the runners up spot on the podium.

The Ranking Trophy, which recognises the boat that has placed the most above their pre-regatta ranking went to Usain Boat. Usian Boat placed fourth overall, picking up five top three placings including a win in race 5.

The Elliott 5.9 one design racing is continuing to get closer. All but the top two boats had to drop a race in the double digits. This seems to be a product of the continued success of the Burnsco Traveller Series with regular quality one design racing raising the standard throughout the whole fleet.

The regatta, hosted by the Onerahi Yacht Club, was an outstanding success both on and off the water. The officials provided great courses in at times changeable conditions to ensure all twelve races were completed. The club and volunteers went out of their way to host the class out of Marsden Cove. A big thank you must also go to Marsden Cove Marina who continue to ensure facilities are readily available for the class. This makes it such a great regatta to attend.

The Elliott 5.9 attention now moves onto the Burnsco Traveller Series. With three additional boats, who could not attend the nationals and all expected to be competitive toward the front of the fleet, the Traveller Series is shaping up as another serious contest.

The first round of the 2024 Elliott 5.9 Burnsco Traveller Series is at Lake Rotoiti 4 - 5 May.

Results can be found by clicking here

Follow results and pictures online www.facebook.com/elliott5.9 and for more information on the Elliott 5.9 Class Association visit www.e59.org.nz

About The Elliott 5.9

The Elliott 5.9 emerged in the early 1980’s as a high performing trailer yacht and continues to deliver competitive one design racing in a welcoming fleet of world-class sailors and novices alike. The boats started a revolution with their well-balanced and cost effective design, and quickly become the boat of choice for top club training schemes and a breeding ground for NZ’s America’s Cup, Ocean Race and Olympic champions. Sailed by a crew of three, the Elliott 5.9 remains a low maintenance sailboat with an efficient single spreader fractional rig, a well-balanced sail plan and practical deck layout. Whether sailing among mixed trailer yachts, sport boat fleets or in a one design setting, the 5.9 is celebrated for its responsiveness and outstanding value.