April 4-5 Best Island NELSON – RO’s Report
The build-up and anticipation prior to this event was palpable- despite fuel prices decimating travelling entries, twelve intrepid DF65 enthusiasts from around the region arrived to watch the RO undergo formalities dressed in a Mankini Easter Bunny suit.
Racing commenced on time, despite a costume malfunction, and continued at a pleasant and accommodating pace throughout the two days of racing.
With plenty of time for relaxed feeding and several course adjustments, the racing was held in mostly mid-A+ rig conditions, with a reliable NE- ENE sea-breeze, in typically sunny Nelson conditions. In total, 24 races (long races at that angle for these small boats) were held over a total six and a half hour racing period.
Notably, every one of the twelve entries started every one of the 24 races. No dummy-spitters or quitters here!
It became obvious pretty quickly that our local DF65 expert, and the winner of the event for the past two years, Peter O’Hanlon, had the pace and nouse to out-smart all others.
Except for the 2023 winner, Pete Jensen, a highly regarded IOM skipper fresh off a Gold medal in the Silver fleet at the Top of the South IOM Champs. Pete J held close to Peter O but just simply wasn’t good enough, and Peter O pulled away for a dominant win on Day Two, with Pete J settling for second.
Maybe if Peter O’s brother Patrick, normally a regular attendee from Auckland, had raced this year he may have had a more serious challenge?
Notable mentions go to Annie Carrad, at her first Regatta, strongly challenging Mr Commodore John Levy in mid-fleet at the end of Day One’s racing. Well done Annie! And the new super stallion Murray Sleeth, who with a very consistent performance finished third. Plus, Alistair McFadzian who was giving it a go, and despite repeated penalties and cautions about causing the odd complaint or two on port tack at the starts, consistently sailed back well to catch the fleet throughout, but ultimately finished last overall.
Associated events included the saveloy swallowing comp (winner not able to be disclosed) and the special AO “mask and stiletto” Saturday late-night party entertainment, reportedly won by Pete Jenson.
Might be correct given he fell away a bit on Day Two.
Special thanks go to the many helpers at this fun but competitive event, and especially to the happy Scorers; the authoritative Umpire (Brian Bennett- who thankfully spent all week brushing up on the rules); and the superior Boatman and Observer, Dave Corbett.
Finally, well done to the Nelson Club for another well-oiled and fun event, with excellent displays of sportsmanship, seamanship and courage throughout the racing.
And congratulations of course to Peter O’Hanlon, whose leadership of the DF group obviously leaves him with some special magic up his sleeve!
RO
DF65 2026 South Isd RegattaScoring: RRS Appendix A (Single Fleet) |
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| Pos | Skipper | Sail | Score | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 1 | Peter O’Hanlon | 688 | 28 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | Peter Jensen | 411 | 45 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 3 | Murray Sleeth | 24 | 58 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
| 4 | Mike Ballard | 472 | 83 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| 5 | John Levy | 135 | 108 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 13 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 5 |
| 6 | Ron Lock | 677 | 118 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 12 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 7 | Trevor Fawcet | 130 | 123 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 5 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 13 |
| 8 | Annie Carrad | 223 | 147 | 10 | 2 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 10 |
| 9 | Colin Brown | 335 | 162 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 9 |
| 10 | Richard Morris | 710 | 163 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 8 |
| 11 | Roger Fawcet | 159 | 174 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 6 | 11 | 5 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 7 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
| 12 | Alistair McFadzian | 278 | 194 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 11 |
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