2026 Northland Champs, Lake Manuwai, Kerikeri
Winners are Grinners!
Day One A good turn out with 26 boats on the start line for the first race on Lake Manuwai.
RO John Rountree was able to set a fair sailing track on the new southern sailing area that proved to be exceptionally good for the northerly breeze of 5-15 knots.
Nine races which included two flights were held and skippers had to be on their toes for the quick turnaround of racing.
Top of the leader board after day one was local club member Erle Williams with a handy lead with seven points ahead from the ever-consistent Reuben Muir.
The Rum Race was held with all boats from the two fleets with Blair Gerrard claiming the bottle. Blair had also been setting the racetrack for the event.
Day Two wind was predicted from the same direction with rain, so everyone was set up ready to go with their wet weather gear on.
The rain came and not the wind; so, the RO had a tough day getting only one race away before having another go at setting a new course on the Northern part of the lake. He managed to get only one flight of the finals away before calling racing off to everyone’s delight as they had been suffering managing their boats in the pouring rain.
Thanks to international judge and umpire John Roundtree for keeping people honest on the racecourse. Thanks to Roy Granich and his wife who came to do all the scoring for the event with the SHRS scoring programme. All Kerikeri Club members chipped in to run a great event; however, they had no control of the rain!
So, at the end of the day Erle is our 2026 Northland IOM Champion with Reuben hanging on to second and local club member Colin Cashmore third.
Ross McClew was first in the silver fleet.
Results below:
