Author: georgebackhus

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Stewart Championships Prizegiving 2013

The second race of the Collinson Forex series on Saturday April 20th marked the end of the Stewart 34 Championships for the 2012-2013 summer racing season.  A warm and blustery northerly served up some spirited sailing conditions for the fleet of 20 P-Boats sailing a long course on the Waitemata Harbour. The odd shower throughout the day washed off some of the salt from the boat’s decks and crew’s foulies which haven’t seen much fresh water during the past long and dry NZ summer. The fleet crossed the finish line in Westhaven mid-afternoon, leaving plenty of time for post race beers/rums on board before the prizegiving, hosted by the Ponsonby Cruising Club, kicked off at 6:30 that evening.

The band Royal Fortune played sea shanteys while the sailors enjoyed beer and burgers.

Peter Lester, two-time NZ Yachtsman of the Year, former High Performance Director for Yachting NZ and TVNZ Yachting Commentator commented on the state of yachting in NZ and his perspectives on the upcoming America’s Cup in San Francisco this September.

Mark Bond, helmsman of “Pionnier” accepts the Collinson Cup for Line Honours in the Spinnaker Division of the Collinson Forex Series from Peter Lester.

Brett Henshaw, owner and skipper of “Panacea” accepts the prize for 1st on Handicap, Spinnaker Division in the Collinson Forex Series from Peter Lester.

Kurt Boyle, owner and Skipper of Pelagian II, accepts the trophy for 1st on line, Non-Spinnaker Division in the Collinson Forex Series from Peter Lester.

Paul Groom, owner of “Pavo” accepts the prize for 1st on handicap, Non-Spinnaker Division of the Collinson Forex series from Peter Lester.

Terry Ward accepts the Forward Hand award from Daniel Carrol of Hyundai New Zealand for his excellent work on the foredeck of “Pionnier.”

 

Helen Henshaw, Katie Northfield, Cherry McIvor and Jacqui Perillo of “Patiko” accept the award for Most Improved from Daniel Carrol.   Their excellent crew work also landed them first place on handicap in the Non-Spinnaker Division.

Mark Bond, helmsman, and Bill Miller, owner and skipper of “Pionnier” accept the Stewart 34 Challenge Cup for Line Honours in the Hyundai Championship Series from Daniel Carrol.

Wayne Boburg, owner and skipper of “Phlyer” accepts the prize for Line Honours in the Non-Spinnaker Division in the Hyundai Championship Series from Daniel Carrol.

Matt Burkhardt, first mate and Kurt Boyle, skipper of Pelagian II celebrate a successful racing season which included a lap around New Zealand.

The girls from “Patiko” sip rum and coke from the Stewart 34 Challenge Cup to celebrate an excellent season of racing. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Both Stewarts Have Podium Finishes in 2012 Coastal Classic

Pahi and Pelagian have both had podium finishes in the 2012 Coastal Classic, according to the Coastal Classic Web site results posted.

Pahi, compteting in Division 3 finished third on line with an elapsed time of 15:19:47 and corrected to third on handicap.

Pelagian, skippered by Roy Dickson, finished first on line in Division 5 with an elapsed time of 15:25:19 and corrected to first on handicap as well.

Congratulations and well done to the skippers and crew!

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Pahi and Pelagian Start the 2012 Coastal Classic

A large crowd on North Head braved a biting sou'wester and squalls to watch the start of the annual race from Auckland to Russell
Pahi and Pelagian take an early lead in the last divisional start
Pahi (left foreground) and Pelagian (right foreground) not afraid to use kites in near gale conditions

 

Pelagian comes in close to North head before a gybe
An arriving car carrier is halted near North Head to make way for the starting fleet
Pelagian and Pahi split gybes
Pelagian surfing
Pelagian heading into the Rangitoto Channel
Pelagian near Rangi
Pelagian near Rangi
Pahi and Pelagian leading the fleet in the Rangitoto Channel
The fleet heading north
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S34 Book Presentation to the Royal Ocean Racing Club

A meeting was arranged in London this week at the Royal Ocean Racing Club
for the Stewart Association president to present a copy of ‘The first 50 years’ to the RORC library.
Neil Spencer, the tall Aussie sometimes seen aboard Princess, and a RORC
member, put the meeting together after having a yarn with Eddie Warden Owen at
the London Clubrooms.
Eddie Warden Owen is the chief executive officer for the RORC. In speaking
to Charles over a beer in the Fastnet Room, he remembered well representing the
UK in the ’87 and ’88 Citizen Watch Match Racing series, sailing Playtime (then Pink Panther) and Psychic.  He was delighted to learn that the class is still thriving, and given
the opportunity would enjoy another ride next time he is in Auckland. He said
that the Stewarts were “testing” to sail, and no surprise that top Kiwi sailors
emerged from the class. Neil had also ensured that the book was signed by the
author, George Backhus.
Charles Scoones,  May 22nd, London.
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Stewart 34 Championships Annual Prizegiving

Cherry McIvor presents Adam Bartlett the award for best forward hand

Stewart Association President Charles Scoones and Secretary Cherry McIvor present Pionnier owner Bill Miller and helmsman Mark Bond with the Hyundai Championship Trophy

Charles Scoones presents Panacea owner Brett Henshaw with the trophy for most improved sailor, spinnaker division

Cherry McIvor presents John Ormrod of Prism the Hyundai Champioship trophy for non-spinnaker division

Bonny Collinson presents a trophy to Rick Royden of Psyche, winner of the Collinson Forex Series

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Pelagian Sails in the Two-Handed Round New Zealand Race

Kurt Boyle celebrated his 35th birthday on board his Stewart 34 Pelagian by tossing off the dock lines from Westhaven Marina,and along with crew mate Matt Burkhardt, starting a 3,000+ mile, four legged race that will circumnavigate New Zealand.  This is the first time in 21 years that the Shorthanded Sailing Association of New Zealand has run this extreme challenge of skill, will, seaworthiness and some might say, sanity.  With a couple of ocean passages under his safety harness and plans of extensive ocean cruising on the horizon, Kurt, a.k.a. “the Mad Monk,” couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a personal shakedown cruise. Ten yachts and 20 crew will spend most of the next month sailing in an anti-clockwise direction through some of the most challenging waters on the planet with short stopovers in Mangonui, Stewart Island and Napier before returning to Auckland.

Matt Burkhardt and Kurt Boyle before leaving the marina (Charles Scoones)

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