2004 National Championship

The plan was to go to Onerahi Sailing Club in Whangarei for the Nationals however the weather forecast was a shocker, never the less we all found our way and stayed together at the Panorama Motels not far from the Yacht Club. Leon Schoemaker the local hero told us the weather was to improve- however he did not stipulate exactly when.

Day one
The wind roared at 40-45 knots so racing was postponed and then cancelled for the day so we adjourned to the Onerahi Club rooms for the AGM which was very productive. An agreement was reached regarding the glass fibre boats and this was to be persued further. The Evening dinner attended by everyone at the local resturuant proved to be the highlight of the trip while the wind and rain raged on outside and alcohol and tall stories being spilled inside.

Day Two
The wind was still up but had abated enough to head for the course.
Race one started in 20 knots of wind with an even start. Mark Winters/Shirley Andrews sailing Weapon led at the top mark with Roger Hall sailing Peppermint Planet taking over the lead at the wing mark. As you would expect, it always blows the hardest at the wing mark and with the mark close to the shore line there was no option but to find a way to turn the corner. Hall held on to win followed by Winters/Andrews. After the race the wind rose again to 30 knots and with boats upside everywhere the race committee sent all boats ashore. Unfortunately the wind continued and the racing for this attempt of the nationals came to an end. The hospitality from the people of Whangarei was outstanding and we all wanted to come back in the future.
The 2004 Nationals was then rescheduled for Clarks Beach at the end of the season. Again the weather played havoc and we sat out the first day on the shore with no prospect of wind. That night all competitors were instructed to pray to the wind goods and we were in luck Officer of the day Don McLeod set some very good courses and racing started mid morning

Race 1
Out of the start , Colin Brocas in Icy Red and Roger Hall sailing Peppermint Planet headed hard left while Winters/Andrews in Weapon and Steve Newcombe sailing Hotshot headed hard right. The left paid and Brocas and Hall were the two lead boats . This remained unchanged with Hall winning from Brocas by 19second, Winters/Andrews third, Newcombe fourth and Clint Rennie sailing his new boat Bartman 5th.

Race 2

Brocas and Hall got the jump and a hard battle was fought in light conditions of around 3-6 knots. Hall led at the bottom mark for the last time but Brocas got through on the last leg. With finish line mere metres away both chose different ends and when they crossed Hall got the gun by about 1 foot in a heart stopper of a race. The gap back to third was huge with Winters/Andrews third again, Newcombe 4th and Rennie 5th
Race 3 was chaotic, Newcombe led at the top mark but headed off in the wrong direction taking half the fleet with him. Hall arrived at the top mark in about 5th place and then went the other way, which was correct. Unchallenged Hall won easily with Peter Marlow in Wind Warrior in second place. Winters/Andrews recovered for third, Phil Smith in Virginia finished a solid fourth with Steve Tennant in Wood is Good a credible 5th.
Race Four saw Hall wrapping the top mark around his centerboard and incurring a penalty. This left Brocas and Winters leading the fleet with Newcombe close by. Hall got through on the reaches to claim the fourth race and win the regatta. With second place close, Winters and Brocas were watching each other with Brocas edging out Winters for second place in the race and second overall. Winters finished third Peter Marlow finished fourth overall with a consistent performance from Hayden Ingall sailing Miss Heitch from Maraetai sailing finished 5th overall.

Final Places
1st Hall Peppermint Planet
2nd Brocas/Brocas Icy Red
3rd Winters/Andrews Weapon