Dates: 6–8 June 2025
Venue: Wattle Farm, Auckland
Host: Northern Maritime Model Society (NMMS)
Boats Entered: 37
The 2025 DF95 Nationals at Wattle Farm featured a strong fleet of 37 boats. Please find below a brief regatta report summarising the event.
Friday: Registration and Practice
Friday was dedicated to registration and practice, allowing competitors to familiarise themselves with the venue and conditions ahead of racing. The entrants were pre assigned into 3 fleets for qualifying using the ANZM SHS random fleet assignment. This was well received from entrants and race management alike.
Saturday: Racing
Racing started promptly at 10:30 AM on Saturday. The initial course featured a two-mark top gate (inside out) and a two-mark bottom gate which was also allocated as the start line. After the first heat, it became clear there wasn’t quite enough room in the start box for comfortable and fair starts. To maintain consistency and fairness, the configuration was kept unchanged for the remaining two heats of race one.
After race one, we implemented a significant course adjustment. A new start line was established up the course but still close to the bottom gate to ensure a reasonable 1st beat length. This was necessary as we were running out of room in the original setup, and any adjustment to the bottom gates would have resulted in a shorter course. This provided a good race length and helped maintain the quality of competition.
Four top mark buoys were set and for each race, the gate configuration at the top marks was signalled prior to the 1 minute gun, allowing flexibility to accommodate shifting wind conditions and ensuring all competitors were clear on the course layout.
A total of 23 races were completed on Saturday with minimal issues. The final races were impacted by fluctuating winds, which required close management and minor tweaks to the course. The wind died just before heat C in race series 8 and racing was called for the day.
Sunday: No Racing
On Sunday, conditions deteriorated with no wind at all, making it impossible to continue racing. As a result, the last race was cancelled and the results reverted to those from race seven, which altered the final standings. We did try and give it a good nudge, Nige.
Event Management and Conduct
The regatta was notable for the cooperation and sportsmanship displayed by both competitors and volunteers. The event ran smoothly, with prompt race starts and efficient handling of course adjustments. Despite the disappointment of losing Sunday’s racing to the weather, the regatta was cleanly managed and well received by all participants.
Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Grant Lane, John Beavis, Roy Granich, and everyone who assisted over the weekend. Your support with mark laying, recording, observing, and logistics was invaluable.
Conclusion
While the weather ultimately cut the event short, the regatta was a success thanks to the efforts of all involved. Congratulations to the competitors for their racing, and thank you to NMMS for hosting another excellent event.