3rd in knickerbocker Cup

The Knickerbocker Cup is set on the Long Island Sound, Manhasset Bay, New York. We started the regatta ranked in 3rd position and after winning the Chicago Match Cup were in good spirits. Conditions are usually light and tricky so we knew what to expect. Our goal was to progress through to each stage and always be in a position to make the finals and have a shot at the title.
Out of the 4 days racing we had rain and light winds for two of them and sun and no wind for the other two. Day 1 saw very little breeze with the Race Committee only managing to complete 6 flights and us only racing 1 of them. We were fortunate enough to put a point on the board and get ready for day two.

With rain all day and a decent breeze day two was going to be a big day for the team and a chance to stamp our mark on the regatta and we did just that. We completed 7 races on this day, winning 5 of them and only losing to fellow Kiwi Reuben Corbett and American and past winner Chris Van Tol. We were very happy with the day and how we tackled the tough conditions and put us in a good spot on the leader board.

Day 3 saw more rain and more light winds. With 3 races to complete we were already guaranteed a place in the quarter finals but wanted to finish the round in a top spot. We only managed to win 1 of our 3 remaining races, losing to Swinton (AUS) and also the Swede, Fornander. This putting us in 3rd position after the round robin which we were happy with. The afternoon brought a nice 6-8knt breeze giving the RC the chance to start the quarter finals. The format was a round robin between the top 6 teams. We sailed this round very well, winning the first 3 races and only losing to Corbett in the last race of the day. We came off the line on his hip and tacked off to the right. We picked up the first big 30degree wind shift with pressure and looked a long way ahead. He continued to the left hand side and picked up one just as big. He then just crossed us at the top mark and held his lead for the remainder of the race.

With the last day brining yet again little breeze and overcast conditions we had 1 race to complete the quarter final stage. With top ranked Keith Swinton to race we knew it was a must win to secure a top 2 spot in this stage. We managed to pin him out in the start and control the race from there. This was no easy task as the breeze was shifting something chronic but we managed to hold him off and take the point. The breeze died to nothing and race was postponed till 2.30. With the semi finals and finals to complete the breeze was shifting between about 60degrees with big puffs and lulls. We were deemed to race Dave Perry (USA) the winner of the Cup in ’88 and ’92. Race one we came off the line to leeward and he go the first cross. In the tricky conditions he sailed well to hold his lead and win the race by two lengths.
Race 2 we had a stunning start. Coming off the line ahead we gained to about a 4 boat length lead. A big shift to the left at the top mark bought Dave back into the game and he managed to just round ahead. We then set up well downwind to make another pass and take the lead round the bottom mark. Upwind again he managed to break right and pick up another shift and round the top 2 lengths ahead. He held his lead this time downwind to take the semi final 2-0. Disappointing for the boys but conditions were very shifty and hard to see making it hard to stay in front. Full credit to Dave as he did sail extremely well in the shifty breeze.

We now had to sail off for 3rd and 4th against Keith Swinton. Race 1 we split tacked to the right but copped a penalty in the pre start. We had a 4 length lead but couldn’t find a place to fit the penalty in and we got another in the process of us trying to trap him. Race 2 and 3 saw us dominate the starts and come of the line splitting to the favoured right and winning both races by a comfortable margin to take 3rd spot.

As a team we felt we put in a very solid effort by always putting ourselves in a spot to race in the final stages. We were very happy with our boat speed and tactics but just couldn’t nail the big shifts in the semi finals to move through to the final.

We would like to thank Stefan of Widex, Pacific Sports Community Trust, Ian of Tax Management NZ, Line 7, RNZYS, Simon from Frontend Design and the WAKA racing supporters club for all their help and generosity.

FINAL RESULTS
Reuben Corbett (NZ)
Dave Perry (USA)
Phil Robertson (NZ)
Keith Swinton (AUS)
Rick Fornander (SWE)
Anna Tunnicliffe (USA)
Sally Barkow (USA)
Taylor Canfield (ISV)
Laurie Jury (NZ)
Chris Van Tol (USA)
Juan Grimaldi (ARG)
Jakub Pawluk (POL)