Hargreaves and Dixon ahead

Anne Hinton reports on day one of the Matis New Zealand Womens National Match Racing Championship

The Matis New Zealand Womens National Match Racing Championships commenced today on the Waitemata Harbour, Auckland, hosted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and sailed in the Squadron’s fleet of Elliott 6 metre boats. Last year’s winner, Katie Spithill from Australia, sister of James, is not an entrant at this event. However, the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club is represented by Nicky Souter who was crewing for Spithill in 2003. Souter has beaten Spithill in recent events and was third in the Harken Cup in Sydney last year. The other competitors are all Kiwis.

Top New Zealand entrant from 2003, Kylie Jameson, is absent too, crewing for Sharon Ferris on an Yngling in Europe as they attempt to gain selection for New Zealand for the Athens Olympic Games this year. Nonetheless, a number of top New Zealand sailors are present, including Karleen Dixon, who has represented New Zealand internationally in womens events, and Jan Dawson, who was fourth here last year. Sara Roberts, Harold Bennett’s right-hand with racing matters at the Squadron, takes the helm this year. Roberts was middleman for Jameson in 2003.

A fairly steady force 3 breeze blowing across the harbour from Rangitoto Island in warm and sunny conditions made for ideal racing and the first round robin of seven flights was completed. Some teams, however, took a while to warm up today and the umpires had little work to do. All the same there was a positive outlook from most: “I’m loving it”, said Souter. “I thought it was going to be cold and miserable and windy [remembering last year], but the sun’s been shining and the breeze has been nice. We had three wins – three losses. We lost against the easy teams and won against the hard teams! Tomorrow’s another day: new boat, new breeze, different races, so we’ll see how we go tomorrow.”

In her first Grade 3 event as a helm, new entrant Amanda Hargreaves from Wellington showed the older hands the way, with a 4-2 win-loss scorecard at the end of the day. “We’re doing alright. Pretty stoked, actually. We didn’t expect to be up there, but we’re happy”, said Hargreaves. Hargreaves generally sails on the bow in a mixed crew, so is glad to have the opportunity to helm. She hopes to get on the international womens match race circuit with her own crew after finishing university next year.

Karleen Dixon is on the same 4-2 scorecard as Hargreaves, but lost to Hargreaves in their match after being penalised for putting her bow in at the windward mark.Souter, Sara Winther and Dawson are on 3-3, whilst Roberts and Greta Hollies have two wins apiece.

A further round robin is to be completed tomorrow, prior to semi-finals and finals on Sunday.

Round Robin One Results (win-loss)

Amanda Hargreaves 4-2
Karleen Dixon 4-2
Sara Winther 3-3
Nicky Souter 3-3
Jan Dawson 3-3
Sara Roberts 2-4
Greta Hollies 2-4