Day 2  VW Print 420 National Championships - Lyle Tresadern, Napier Yacht Club

Changes in top places

While there have been some changes at the top of the leaderboard in the VW Print NZ 420 Nationals and World Selection Trials, Paul Snow-Hansen and Jason Saunders still lead overall after two days of racing at Napier.

RACE 4

Unlike yesterday, the day started with the promise of some breeze and fine Hawke’s Bay weather. Following a General recall and ten minutes waiting for the breeze to settle, race four got underway in 8 – 10 knots of wind. Regatta leaders Snow-Hansen and Saunders got the perfect pin end start and sailed out left into a vane of pressure. With them were Cooke and Illingworth. Snow-Hansen was first to the top mark followed closely by Cooke and Dunning Beck. The run and second beat saw the lead change with Cooke rounding first, followed by Lardies, Snow-Hansen, Dunning-Beck, and Hansen. Pressure from the right hand side of the third beat saw Cooke drop several places and Snow-Hansen first on the reach followed closely by Lardies. These two battled it out off the wind culminating in the closest finish of the regatta to date, Lardies taking the win with an extra puff of wind near the line making the difference. Third and clear of the rest was Dunning-Beck.

RACE 5

The wind increased for race 5, with the fleet starting in 12 – 17 knots, with Snow-Hansen again getting a great start to lead at the top mark from Lardies and Cooke in 3rd. Luke Stevens and Sam Bullock showed improvement coming in on a nice lift on the right to be fourth at the mark. The top places changed several times on the run with Stevens rounding the gate in second behind Snow-Hansen. On the third beat, Lardies went left with the right side paying which saw him drop a couple of places to finish 5th. Maloney, third at the gate for the last time hit a mark which cost her several placings with the race win claimed by Snow-Hansen, a leg of the course ahead of the rest, Cooke in second and Stevens third.

RACE 6

The last race of the day started in a variable 8 knots, quickly increasing throughout, gusting 20 knots at times. The first beat saw the Berry sisters, Sarah and Emma to the top mark in front showing their skills in the breeze. The wind tested the abilities of many crews with several capsizes. Snow-Hansen led after the next lap and held on to be first through the gate following the run. Cooke and Lardies found a shift on the right on the second beat with Cooke taking the lead. The last beat saw Lardies reach the top mark first and chose not to risk the kite in the strong breeze on the reach. Lardies managed to start the run just in front of the chasing bunch only to be overtaken. Cooke held on to finish first, Snow-Hansen second and Lardies third.