French Bay Yacht Club played host to the 2009 Nationals. The club is on the Manukau just below Titirangi Village, itself celebrating the Titirangi Festival of Music in the same week.

The largest gathering of Jollyboats in 10 years, 25 boats was a welcome turnout for the club with visitors coming from Clarks Beach, Maraetai, Torbay and Waiheke.

Conditions were near perfect with breezes for most races sailed in winds of between 7 and 12 knots. After the briefing and a quick lunch racing kicked off on Saturday at midday with a light breeze however with the wind still showing a bit of South in it making for a long cross tide beat. This race was won convincingly by Mark Winters, back from a leave absence for back surgery, leaving many in the fleet with a sense of deja vue (fair to say Weapon has not seen any such surgery). Gordon was second and Mark and Daniel third. Some confusion at the finish has seen our PRO redress the placings at the back of the fleet after reviewing the tape, please check the results page.

Race two saw a course reset as the wind swung East and freshened considerably as a rain squall passed through. This caused problems for a few of the novices and kept the rescue crews busy. Action up front was hot with the top mark proving the undoing of a lead for Matt and Hamish who hooked up on the anchor warp on the plane and damaged their rudder. The mark then went on the claim several more victims. Downwind there were some great reaches and the race was comfortably won by Paul and Harry, followed by Josh and Alex in Virginia and Mark and Daniel in Sublime.

Race three went light again and it was the turn of the single handers to hit the front. The tide was peaking during this race. Gordon stormed away to a win followed by Steve in Bartman. In a much anticipated return to sailing Brad Collins took over the helm of Xcellerator and sailed this now legendary boat to a creditable third in this race.

The last race on Saturday was slightly up in wind speed on race three and still from the East. But the tide has turned and was on the way out big time switching the course to long beats and fast short downwind legs.

Saturday night saw a grand bash at FBYC. The Pirate Paella night was a great success, great grub, good company and a chance for the local sailors to mingle with the visitors to the sounds of the Dirty Byrds.

Sunday's racing kicked off with a steadier breeze and the course set inshore in the tidal stream off Wood Bay. Race one went to Mark Winters followed by the two boats who'd end up top at the end of the day, Sublime and Bartman. Race two was taken out convincingly by Alex Stone who got his borrowed boat in the groove well and truly coming home ahead of Steve Newcombe and Steve Tennent. In the last race Team Sublime hit the gas pedal and nailed first overall and the double handed championship, marking their dominance of the regatta in just their first year in the class. Steve Tennant went on to win the single handed.

In the teams fleet an emphatic victory was scored by the Maraetai Fleet with Steve Newcombe, Steve Tennent and Mark Winters leading them home.

View Full Results Table

Prize giving was officiated by Mayor Bob Harvey, patron of FBYC. This event would not have been possible without support from French Bay Yacht Club and local businesses. The Class Association wishes to thank, on behalf of FBYC, the Western Districts Community Grants Board for their generous financial support to French Bay Yacht Club.

Our thanks to our sponsors MyCanvas, Dirty Byrd, Artisan Wines, Red Seal, Mamor Chocolates, Titirangi Pharmacy, La Vincci Cafe, Earthbound Honey, Dynamic IT.

Thanks also to all the crew at FBYC for their support and time and to Lesley Stone for taking the photos.

Double Handed

Single Handed

Teams Trophy

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Arrggh it was a wild day out on the high seas of the Hauraki Gulf.

check out the action here