Aggressive luffing in Electron nationals

Last weekend saw 15 races in the Electron sailing champs off the Rarotonga Sailing Club on Muri lagoon competed for by some of the best sailors on Rarotonga.

Wind and wave conditions ensured some exciting sailing and a lot of close calls with boats competing keenly for good line starts and close mark roundings.

Eruera I have the wind Nia was probably the outstanding star for the day on port and starboard incidents plus tactical decisions whilst Robert Papa Hopper Skews showed himself again to be the master of downwind runs, taking out many competitors with his aggressive luffing style.

Certainly a joy to watch for the dozens of fans camped on the beach.

Des Eggelton and Thomas Koteka were last minute no shows citing extreme family pressures and headaches.

Thanks to their absence, Peter Heays and Jeff Hill were able to cause trouble and strife within the fleet during the majority of races and probably should have been the joint winners that day.

Kris Goodwin, ably representing the Cook Islands Navy, sailed brilliantly in the final 8 races, winning 7 of them in a row and was then favourite to take the title but he was pipped by a mere 1 point by Tony the Pool Doctor Heays who is now the official 2011 National Electron Sailing Champion.

Jeff Hill and Peter Heays will represent the Cook Islands in New Zealand this month at the Electron World Sailing Championships.

They are expected to do well and intense training has commenced this week.