It really was a weekend’s sailing of two days, one hard and rough, the other soft and fluffy.
Saturday dawned with winds from NNE ranging from 12 – 20 knots with gusts above 25 knots. The direction meant that surface conditions were uncommonly flat, a fact not lost on visiting salt water sailors.

In these conditions it was expected that the Noelex 25 and Noelex 22 would be hard to beat, and so it proved.

Racing got underway on time at 1200hrs. Wind strength dictated that the time limit to the first mark would not be tested. A Division Line and handicap Honours to Hawkeye from Lowry Bay, Farr 740S; B Division Line and Handicap to Mistress from Tauranga, Noelex 22; C Division in the local derby Line and Handicap to Farr Reaching. Farr 6000.

The wind strengthened to 15 knots for race 2, 2 laps of the windward leeward course of 2 nautical miles. In a race lasting 45 minutes Big Brumus from Evans Bay, Noelex 25 took Line and Handicap Honours in B Division, followed by Mistress and Lady Penelope, from BOPTYS, Noelex 22 – a clean sweep for Noelexes. In A and C Divisions the results echoed Race 1. Piccolo recorded a gust at 30 knots.

Race 3 provided more of the same conditions and in all Divisions the honours were a repeat of Race 2. The local boats in B Division were not fairing so well.

Hawkeye in A Division and Tanifarr in C Division decided to sit out race 4 as conditions were cold and the crews tired after over 3 hours of racing in trying conditions. In B Division the local boats had their first favourable result with Drama, Catalina 7, taking Handicap Honours, but Big Brunus recorded her 3rd straight Line Honours, followed 2 seconds later by local Noelex 25, Piccolo.

Back to the Clubhouse for the mid match function.
Sunday brought a complete change in conditions. Gone were the blustery Nor Easters, replaced by a flukey Northerly. The conditions again promising to be a test of skills.
Race 5, 1 lap to complete the series. The first boat rounded the top mark with 45 seconds to spare inside the time limit. B Division Line Honours and handicap 2nd went to Idle Torque, from Taupo, Ross 650, but not to be outdone, visiting boats took 1st , 3rd and 4th handicap spots. In C Division Tanifarr recorded her first and only victory after Farr Reaching suffered an average start. Hawkeye sailed on in A Division.
Race 6, 3 knots NNW, 1 lap. Another for the local boats with Idle Torque showing her light air advantage, crossing the line over a minute in front of Lady Penelope. Lady Penelope took the Handicap Honours. The bigger boats struggled in the lighter breeze but Piccolo still managed a creditable 3rd on Line and Handicap.
Race 7, the last scheduled race, NNW 3 knots. B Division. Idle Torque again taking the line to record 3 wins for the regatta, second on handicap. Lady Penelope 1st on handicap after a great run to the start only to be left behind as windward boats stole her wind. A great fight back. C Division Farr Reaching rounding out the series with 6 wins from 7 races. A Division Hawkeye, the sole competitor.
Back to the Clubhouse for the customary post match celebrations and barbeque, complements of Lake Taupo Yacht Club.

So to the results:
A Division
1st Line, 1st Handicap Hawkeye, Eden Burney, Lowry Bay Yacht Club
B Division
1st Line Big Brumus, Nikki Johnston, Evans Bay Yacht Club
2nd Line Idle Torque, Brent Aitken, Lake Taupo Yacht Club
3rd Line Mistress, Helen Maxey, Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club
1st Handicap Lady Penelope, Dave Goddard, Bay of Plenty Trailer Yacht Squadron
2nd Handicap Big Rumus, Nikki Johnston, Evans Bay Yacht Club
3rd Handicap Mistress, Helen Maxey, Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club
C Division
1st Line Farr Reaching, Paul Mayer, Lake Taupo Yacht Club
2nd Line Tanifarr, Phil Kidson, Lake Taupo Yacht Club
1st Handicap Farr Reaching, Paul Mayer, Lake Taupo Yacht Club
2nd Handicap Tanifarr, Phil Kidson, Lake Taupo Yacht Club
Overall the weekend lived up to the pre-race publicity with Winter sailing on Lake Taupo providing good competitive, sailing conditions.