Top crews returning for the Burnsco Elliott 5.9 Nationals at Marsden Cove this weekend

Burnsco Elliott 5.9 Nationals will be sailed at Marsden Cove from March 14-16, 2024 © Elliott 5.9 Assoc

The 2024 Elliott 5.9 season is ramping up with the Burnsco 2024 Elliott 5.9 Nationals Championship to be hosted by Onerahi Yacht Club at Marsden Cove from 14 - 16th March.

This will then be followed by the Burnsco 2024 Traveller Series.

The Nationals at Marsden Cove are not completely new to the Elliott 5.9 fleet. It has been a regular stop on the highly successful Burnsco Travellers Series over a number of years. It's a location that provides great open water sailing, on Bream Bay, and has always been popular with the fleet for the great racing provided.

Another strong fleet is expected. The ability to tow the Elliott 5.9 means boats will travel from as far away as Napier. They will be taking on a strong contingent of Auckland and Far North based boats. At the same time, a strong fleet of South Island boats will be contesting their last round of the Southern Circuit in Picton, some 23 Elliott 5.9s are expected to be competing over this period of time.

The nationals will again provide a closely fought contest throughout the fleet. The Elliott 5.9 continues to provide some of the best one design racing outside the Olympic class boats. They provide a great crossover between competitive dinghy sailing and big boat skills. Hence why they have proved such a strong training platform for many of New Zealand's top sailors. With a number of world recognised sailors and former national champions again fronting to contest the title, the eventual champion is very much an unknown.

Based on last year's form, 2023 National and Traveller Series champion, Shapeshifter (Nick Bastow), are expected to be a benchmark to beat. However, R+R (Craig Satterthwaite), eight time champions, after a quiet year last year, will be looking to reclaim the title.

Perennial runners up, Slam Dunk (Stu Clake), must be thinking that this could be their year. They are always consistently on the podium and are likely to enjoy the consistent conditions that Bream Bay can offer.

Another boat many will have their eye on is Order 66 (Jack Carter). Jack has recently given this boat a complete refurbish and has a number of up and coming crew onboard. They will start as a complete unknown and it will be interesting to see how they perform in their first full Elliott 5.9 regatta.

Home advantage goes to the evergreen Zoot Allures (Dave Cochran). As a multiple champion, they are never far from the lead. Home advantage may be just the edge they need to claim another title. Another evergreen and former champion, with home water knowledge, is Hobo the Butcher (Rob Ward). Hobo is always capable of surprises and regularly takes out race wins. Backed up with consistent results, they may well find themselves in the hunt for another national title.

Burnsco Elliott 5.9 Nationals will be sailed at Marsden Cove from March 14-16, 2024 - photo © Elliott 5.9 Assoc

Once the nationals are complete, the class embarks on its hugely successful and competitive Burnsco Traveller Series. The class is introducing a new venue this year, as the class hit the road to New Plymouth for the first time. With New Plymouth using Elliott 5.9s as part of their sail training program, it will be great to head over there and work with the club on what should be a great new venue for the class.

The full Burnsco 2024 Traveller Series is:

Traveller Series #1 4 - 5 May Rotoiti Traveller Series #2 15 - 16 June New Plymouth Traveller Series #3 27 - 28 July Whitianga Traveller Series #4 7 - 8 September Far North Traveller Series #5 5 - 6 October Sandspit

As well, the Elliott 5.9 Class is really grateful to have Burnsco come on board as the National and Traveller Series naming sponsor for the year. This support continues to allow the class to run great contests around the country and continue to support and encourage sailor development as part of the class culture.

Follow results and pictures online www.facebook.com/elliott5.9 and for more information on the Elliott 5.9 Class Association visit www.e59.org.nz

Previous results can be found here elliott59.weebly.com/results.html

About The Elliott 5.9 The Elliott 5.9 emerged in the early 1980’s as a high performing trailer yacht and continues to deliver competitive one design racing in a welcoming fleet of world-class sailors and novices alike. The boats started a revolution with their well-balanced and cost effective design, and quickly became the boat of choice for top club training schemes and a breeding ground for NZ’s America’s Cup, Ocean Race and Olympic champions. Sailed by a crew of three, the Elliott 5.9 remains a low maintenance sailboat with an efficient single spreader fractional rig, a well-balanced sail plan and practical deck layout. Whether sailing among mixed trailer yachts, sport boat fleets or in a one design setting, the 5.9 is celebrated for its responsiveness and outstanding value.