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31 January 2006, 04:42 pm

ASHLEY And EASON Triumph

RS:X New Zealand Championship 2006

Auckland, New Zealand

Day four of the ISAF Grade 3 New Zealand RS:X Championship was much like the preceding two days, with light and fickle north easterlies. That did nothing to halt the progress of Tom ASHLEY (NZL) and Anna EASON (NZL) however, who both took their national title with a race to spare.

The final three races were completed in five to eight knots on reasonably flat water under a hot, unforgiving, New Zealand sun.

Jon-Paul TOBIN (NZL) started the day with another first, followed by a second in race two, but it was not enough to topple his rival ASHLEY, who placed third in race one, then narrowly took victory from TOBIN in race two. ASHLEY and TOBIN's results meant that they did not have to sail race twelve as overall positions would not change. However it was quite a different story for competitors sitting in third to fifth places, with only two points separating them so the final race was crucial. David ROBERTSON (NZL), Piotr MYSZKA (POL) and Przemek MIARCZYNSKI (POL) finished second, third and fourth giving the Polish third and fourth and New Zealand fifth.

In the women's fleet, EASON had a comfortable lead and did not sail the last race. She finished on 26 points, five points ahead of Hayley THOM (NZL) in second, followed closely by Justina SELLERS (NZL), just one point behind.

At the end of racing both ASHLEY and EASON were Awarded the New Zealand RS:X National Champion title for 2006.

Sailors were pleased with the organization of the event and the professionalism of the Race Committee. Although conditions were not ideal the regatta was enjoyed by all.

The Event was sponsored by: Cult Surfwear, Bic Sport, Line 7 and the Lion Foundation.