Reggae Shark came from behind to win Round Three of the Burnsco Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series at Whitianga last weekend, overhauling series leader Revelry across Sunday’s four races to take the regatta on 20 points to Revelry‘s 25.
Eight boats made the trip to Mercury Bay for the 1-2 August event, racing across ten windward-leeward races in winter sunshine that made Whitianga look every bit the venue it is. Saturday’s racing was delayed while the fleet waited for the breeze to settle, but once it did the wind built steadily to around 15 knots and the race committee put six races on the board. Reggae Shark opened the scoring with a Race 1 win, but Revelry hit back to take Races 2, 3, and 6. By the end of Saturday, Revelry held a two-point overnight lead, with Reggae Shark second and Bloodline third on 22 points.
Sunday started light again before the breeze filled in through the morning. Revelry extended early with a Race 7 win, but Reggae Shark answered in Race 8 and followed it with a second place in Race 9 as Zoot Allures took that race. Slam Dunk closed out the regatta winning Race 10, with Revelry second and Reggae Shark third. When the totals were counted, Reggae Shark‘s consistency across Sunday had been enough to turn a two-point deficit into a five-point winning margin.
Final standings: Reggae Shark first on 20 points, Revelry second on 25, Slam Dunk third on 33, Bloodline fourth on 34, Zoot Allures fifth on 36, Dirty Circus sixth on 38.
Two rounds remain. Russell hosts Round Four on 12-13 September before Sandspit closes out the season on 17-18 October.
Full results are on the Elliott 5.9 Class website. Reports from the earlier rounds at Lake Rotoiti and Marsden Cove are also available.
The Whitianga result is a reminder of how quickly this series can turn. Revelry came in holding the lead and leaves still in second overall, but Reggae Shark‘s ability to put together a strong Sunday under pressure is exactly the kind of form that wins series. With Russell and Sandspit still to come, nothing is settled.
