Gaskin wins three races a day in regatta

File picture by Paul Rickard

AARON Gaskin won three races on Saturday and three on Sunday in Gisborne Yacht Club’s first regatta of the season. Gaskin’s fibreglass Optimist was one of three new boats on the water. The others were Jacob Scammell’s Starling and Cameron Wood’s Laser.

Sailing conditions were perfect for the Gisborne Resene Color Shop-sponsored event — fine weather, 10- to 15-knot breezes and a southerly swell. The swell made navigating the channel interesting for some of the younger sailors.

The Optimists raced six races on Saturday and line honours were shared among Gaskin (three races), Lucy Millar (two) and Jake Millar (one).

Gaskin showed skill and determination, and won three more races on Sunday. The Starling fleet had close racing with line honours also shared among the sailors in this class.

Scammell, in his first outing in his Starling, did well to keep rivals Grason Gaskin and Luke Whibley on their toes. With Colin Shanks officiating on Saturday, Peter Millar took out four of five races on line, then acted as a shepherd boat to help the Optimists back to shore. Shanks then sailed to victory over the line in Sunday’s three races.

Consistency pays offConsistency paid off for Noah Lee, sailing his first regatta in a Laser, as it did for Cameron Wood in his newly acquired Laser. Rick Lugtig was the sole catamaran entry.

Scott Wilson sailed well on Saturday but took Sunday off. Peter Millar and Colin Shanks both sailed but also shared the rescue boat duties, with John Wells and Gary Ash helping. Kevin Tims and Marney Gaskin manned the start tower.

Gisborne Yacht Club members have started preparing for the Auckland-to-Gisborne Yacht Race this month.

Part 1 of the Gisborne City Plasterers Dinghy Derby will be held this weekend.

Gisborne Resene Color Shop Regatta results from the weekendCatamarans: Rick Lugtig 1.

Lasers: Noah Lee 1, Cameron Wood 2, Peter Millar 3, Scott Wilson 4, Colin Shanks 5.

Starlings: Grason Gaskin 1, Luke Whibley 2, Jacob Scammell 3.

Optimists: Aaron Gaskin 1, Lucy Millar 2, Jake Millar 3.