Two teams representing Kerikeri High School took first and second place in the Harken New Zealand Schools Regatta at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron base in Westhaven, Auckland.
Team 1 with O'Shea Butler (helm), Harris Bindon (main), Alina Hofstatter (trim) and James Ayr (bow) had a convincing lead after winning
nine of the 12 races.
Team 2 with Nathan Laurie (helm), Sam Brierley (main), Andrea Hawtin (trim) and Klaus Ohlendorff (bow) fought hard to secure second place from a persistent Mahurangi College.
Erratic winds and frequent gusts made for some challenging competition in the Elliot 6 class keelers, with fine timing needed on the start line because of the river-like currents.
A week earlier, three teams from the school's sailing squad also took part in the Upper North Island Team Racing Championships.
Fifteen teams from Napier north entered the three-day event at Algies Bay in preparation for the Secondary School Team Racing National Championships being held in Taupo on April 11-16.
Team 1 fought off strong challenges from Saint Kentigern's College and a Westlake Boys' team to claim first place overall, with Team 3 eighth in the gold fleet and Team 2 third in the silver fleet.
