Final day racing at South Pacific Teams racing Regatta 2009

11:05 PM Sun 12 Jul 2009 GMT

'2008 Cook Island Team Sailing 2'

South Paciic Teams Sailing Regatta Day 5 - 10th July 2009

Kia Orana,

Sailors on the start line this morning were a little distracted by a group of massive humpback whales, just outside the coral reef that were putting on an awesome display of 'breaching' where they partially launch out of the ocean and fall back on their sides in a huge shower of spray. Cook Islanders live very close to nature and it was a rare treat to see it in action.

Today was the final days racing and two round robins and a final series were completed with the last two races sailed in the early and very short tropical twilight. The presence of high seas meant the lagoon had become deeper which allowed the race officer to locate the course closer to the spectators on the beach and the regatta headquarters. Most people could sit under cover on the deck and enjoy coffee and snacks or while watching some very exciting racing; it doesn't get much better than that.

The on the water umpires were bolstered by the addition of international umpire Andre Raoult who kindly volunteered to assist during the finals. The scores were fairly close going into the round robins and a few pressure mistakes were made including hitting marks and each other with one skipper incurring a penalty turn then hitting the bottom mark while falling overboard.

Four teams went forward to the final series; Aitutaki, New Zealand, Rarotonga and Victoria. There were some very close races with the sailors demonstrating the level of maturity required to be effective in teams racing. The top teams had become very organized during the regatta and pulled off some exciting set-tactical maneuvers and last minute recoveries to win out.

The overall winning team was Aitutaki followed by Victoria with Rarotonga in third place and New Zealand fourth.

The prize giving at the yacht club was outstanding with commodore Peter Heays winding up the regatta with a very warm thanks to the competitors and regatta support people. The winning crews were presented with Black Pearl medallions and wonderfully hand carved perpetual trophies in the divisions of overall winners and girls team series winners. The nigh was capped off with an Island dancing troupe performance.

You can join our spectators and enjoy the spectacular views from the deck of our regatta head quarters which look across beautiful Muri Lagoon here in Rarotonga by following the link below.
www.sailsrestaurant.co.ck/webcam/

by Chris. Conroy

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Final day racing at South Pacific Teams racing Regatta 2009

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