2025 New Zealand Flying 15 National Championship at the Bay of Islands Sailing Week
by Sally Garrett 27 Jan 22:14 NZDT
21-24 January 2025
Fleet sailing downwind - 2025 New Zealand Flying 15 National Championship © Jacob Frewtrell / Bay of Island Sailing Week
The Bay of Islands Sailing Week is New Zealand's largest keelboat regatta, held during the last week of January. This three-day event attracts both local and international entries, featuring a variety of racing formats, including island passage races and windward-leeward courses.
In the week leading up to the event, the Bay of Islands experienced gales and heavy rain, limiting training to a brief sail on Tuesday afternoon. By Wednesday, the winds had eased, and the fleet was able to sail the one-hour out to the course in a light southerly breeze.
In Race 1, Sarah Reynolds and Peter Macartney took an early lead in their newly renovated boat, Fflying Cloud. However, as the southerly winds died down on the second beat, the four-time National Champions, Murray Gilbert and Jonathon Burgess, sailing Ffrentic, managed to claim victory. During Race 2, conditions continued to weaken, with The Godffather initially leading for most of the race. However, in a light wind tacking duel with FFantocini, The Godffather was narrowly overtaken at the finish. As the afternoon progressed, an unexpected sea breeze filled in, allowing Neil Easton from The Godffather crew to hike out and secure a win in the final race.
Day 2 began with even less wind, but as the land dried, a sea breeze started to develop. The wind filled in after midday, allowing Ffrentic to showcase its speed in the light conditions, winning all three races of the day. Following the races, crews embarked on a long sail home, arriving nine hours after their departure.
On the final day, Ben Lowe and Jonny Noakes sailing Ffantoncini achieved an impressive score with three consecutive wins, which ultimately earned them the regatta championship, making them the fifth different crew in five years to become Flying 15 National Champions. Murray Gilbert and Jonathon Burgess (Ffrentic) finished in second place, followed by class President Sally Garrett and Neil Easton (The Godffather) in third.
In the newly reinstated corrected time series, Gustbuster (Roger Knightly and Riaan Elliot) and his crew took first place, with Graffite (Brian Kent and Keith Hogan) in second and Jaffa (Robin Ward and Kale Ward) in third.
Sally Garrett, the Class President, was awarded the Yachting New Zealand SheSail trophy for being the first helm in open racing at the race week.