RO Report
For those not familiar with the EC12, a little background: The class began as a tank testing model for a proposed Charles Morgan design prior to the 1964 America Cup defence. While the design didn’t secure a place in AC history, the tank testing plug was used to create the first moulds for the EC12 radio yacht we know today. The class is strictly one-design. Hulls must be constructed in certified moulds; sails, spars and rigging are all restricted. In full race trim an EC12 weighs in at around 11kg.
Twelve skippers entered the NI Champs, three from the newly formed Ruahine Radio Yacht Squadron with Kapiti Radio Yacht Club making up the remainder. Weather forecasts promised solid northwesterlies for both days of the competition. Winds up to 16kts were forecast for Saturday and a blustery 19kts with gusts and heavy rain on Sunday. A degree of nervousness was evident during the Friday night social gathering as skippers contemplated a weekend using C and D rigs.
Arriving at the lake early Saturday morning confirmed the day’s forecast to be accurate – an overcast sky and a steady northwesterly blowing down the lake. The course was able to be set before the briefing and aside from a few minor tweaks, remained unchanged for the two days of competition. Given the uncertainty of Sunday’s forecast, the plan was to get in a solid day of racing on Saturday. At 9.30 boats were called to the water and we kicked off with an invitation race to introduce first time visitors to the venue. Then it was straight into the competition. The morning progressed well with skippers mostly opting for C rigs. With ten races on the score sheet, we stopped for a lunch and hot home-made soup prepared by the shore crew. Saturday afternoon followed much the same pattern as the morning and the first day finished with eighteen races completed. The shore crew had the BBQ fired up and we all retired to the gazebo for some well-earned refreshment.
Sunday morning welcomed us with a northerly breeze (not forecast) and imminent rain. By briefing time the rain had set in and the northerly was sending bullets across the lake and threatening the survival of the gazebo. The virtual “AP” was raised and we waited, periodically checking on reports from local weather stations. By 1100 the rain had cleared and the wind steadied back to the predicted northwesterly – “Boats to the water”. Six races were completed during the morning session and a further six during the afternoon. The final act of the weekend’s racing was the Rum Race – one lap around an extended course with a bottle of rum going to first boat across the line. Then it was time to bring in the marks, update the scoring system and retire to the gazebo for more refreshments, BBQ and prize-giving.
Congratulations to the prize winners – some great racing and close finishes in very trying conditions – and to the EC12 NCA and Kapiti Club for a very well organised event.
Graeme Perry
Race Officer
