2025 IOM Classic Series Regatta | Race Officer Report - New Zealand Radio Yachting Association Inc.

6^th and 7^th September | Kapiti Radio Yacht Club

An event by the numbers:

11: The number of sailors present
4: Radio Clubs represented
34: Start sequences commenced
1: General Recall
1: U Flag start
30: Races completed
45: The points between first and second

The event can surely be summed up in the words of the regatta and series winner, Chris W:

“when the wind is in here, this is one of the best places to sail”

And the wind was on point for almost the entirety of the weekend. This time, instead of sharing my views – here are the edited highlights of the event from our Scorer, Glenn Syman

Day 1

A quick report from Winstones today – Day 1 of the IOM Kapiti Classic 2025, and a beautiful day’s sailing with 13 races sailed! It would have been more if the wind had behaved itself in the afternoon….. 11 skippers turned up on the line today (must be the competition overload with the national’s just finished, and Oceania’s coming up very soon). The New Plymouth boys made the trip south, and have reaped some good results. Good to see them here.

The morning wind was primo, from the west or south-west, and 8 races were complete before an early lunch break (yes the PRO actually gave us some time to munch a sammy). Wind in the afternoon wasn’t quite so co-operative and switched to the south, making it difficult to lay a course – a PRO nightmare. But we still got a further 5 races in for a total of 13 races. Full marks to Neil Harwood for rowing “that dinghy BOB” and laying, and re-laying, and re-laying the courses as the wind shifted around.

Day 2

A fabulous day on Otaki Lake. Wind in the upper range, 17 races sailed, with the last 10 races sailed under ‘B’ rigs. Chris Wischnowsky continued his winning way, posting a convincing result after 30 races. – Well sailed Chris.

John Beavis sailed well and was un-challenged in second place overall.

The real battle of the day was at 3rd to 6th. With only a few points separating. Chris Harmer won out by the final race, and took third overall.

A few words from the RO

The above says it all really – Kapiti really turned on the weather meaning yet another fantastic event took place. A real highlight for me was finally getting to see IOMs fully powered up with B rigs for the first time ever. I also need to congratulate the sailors. With a single fleet there was a real appetite to race as much as possible given the amazing conditions – I was even told to cut the lunch break short so we could get back in to racing.

Congrats to Chris W who sailed a near perfect event. A regatta total of just 40 points after 30 races is a testament to boat speed and course/fleet management. Also a special mention to Roy Barber sailing in his first IOM event.

As always – a great team behind the scenes – Neil in the mark boat and allowing me to tweak the course as needed, Rod for recording, Glenn for scoring, and the Team at home base keeping everyone fed and watered. Thanks also to Mike Calkoen for stepping in to the role as the unofficial Umpire for the event.