Brass Monkey Winter Series 2009

18 boats made it onto the water during the course of the Jollyboat Brass Monkey Series 2009. Sailed at six venues Jim decided that this year only half the races would count towards points meaning you could discard 50% of your weekends results due to bad weather, low domestic credit, failing to set the alarm, running repairs, swine flu or simply playing chicken.

Things kicked off in Howick, great sailing and beaut courses some sailed in ballistic conditions under raging black clouds. Close racing for all as the two boat crews pulled away upwind only to be caught up again at the leeward mark. Pt. Chev was the complete opposite, a tidal drifter where we once again discovered just how uncomfortable the cockpit floor can be on a Sunday afternoon. Those who made the pilgrimage to Ngaroto were rewarded with some fine lake sailing at close quarters showing the Lasers and 420's a thing or two. The series rounded off with events at Torbay, Maraetai and finally French Bay.

Great to see some new faces during the series and new Jollyboat owners. Welcome Richard, Sean, Bill, Rod and Luke. The fine print in Jim's rules also allowed John C. to even swap boats mid series and keep scoring even after testing the cold brown nitrate filled waters of Lake Ngaroto.

Winter is also a time for trying out some new stuff. A new main appeared from North Sails bristling with innovations and Sublime got redecked and fitted out with a new string jib traveller.

And now, to the results. We may have been all shown how to race by Team Maraetai at this year's nationals, but when there's ice on the boat cover, gales, hail and a strong chance of returning home with frostbite on your pecker it seems that west is best. After taking more than their fare share of harden up pills 1st, 2nd and 3rd this year goes to sailors from French Bay.

Fergus (shown here in his summer outfit) is to be congratulated on getting Dry Reach in the groove and turning in a winning performance. He's our 2009 Jollyboat Brass Monkey champion.

1 Dry Reach / Fergus Thomson

2 Snorter / Matt & Hamish Hall-Smith

3 Furaha / Paddy Charles

4 Blue Rocket / Jim Molloy

5 Bartman / Steve Tennant

Thanks to Ngaroto, Torbay, Pt. Chev, Howick, Maraetai and French Bay for allowing us to sail and providing beach, bar and on the water support. Special thanks to Jim for his organisation and effort in the planning of the series and for providing the motivation to get out there when it's fugly.