Review of the 70th class nationals event
Written by Bruce Craies
The 2026 Zephyr National Championship was held at the Howick Sailing Club over the period 12-15 March. Four race days were planned with a buffet dinner on the Saturday night prior to the final days racing. The regatta coincided with the 70th anniversary of Des Townson completing the Zephyr design in 1956.
With all boats requiring measuring prior to the event, scrutineering and weighing was conducted early to provide for four clear days of racing. The weigh-in proved that the majority of our boats were very proximate to our 58kg limit. Unfortunately, high winds curtailed any chance of racing on day one. Instead, a sailors’ forum was held immediately after the official race briefing. Generally, sailors were happy with where the class is headed, with little the members sought to change.
Day two saw a light fluctuating NE that permitted a full line up photograph of all boats in numerical order along the beach prior to launching. After a slight delay as the breeze filled in racing commenced into a light breeze and a sloppy sea that challenged the maintenance of momentum at times. Racing throughout the fleet was close and it was Mark Orams and Rod Dawson who were tied at the top of the 52-boat leaderboard at the end of the day.
Saturday saw the breeze turn to the south and increase with enough drive to test the temperament of the best of the fleet. Two races, in winds hovering toward our upper limits, were completed and still only a point could separate Mark and Rod. Multiple capsizes occurred throughout the fleet as thirteen knots of boat speed often became zero around the gybe mark. Howick’s race officers did a fantastic job in getting racing underway in such demanding conditions and the very good support boat fleet were kept busy but in general things were very well handled.
Murray Thom emceed the evening dinner at Bucklands Beach Yacht Club for around seventy guests to fine effect. The positive fun vibe of the regatta continued to be shown and a very convivial night was enjoyed by all.
The last day of racing started early with an extra two races added to catch up on those lost earlier in the week. A solid eighteen to twenty-three knot breeze with gusts into the mid-twenties prevailed, and while it provided great rides there was also a bit more swimming for a few. Rod completed a magic 2, 1, 1 finish to take overall honours from Mark and in doing so, become the first champion in a Mackay Boats GRP Zephyr.
The real highlight of the regatta was the spirit demonstrated through the class. Rod described the rivalry versus friendship relationship to a tee in his victory speech. The camaraderie, friendship, belonging and competitive interaction, is what sets the Zephyr apart as a true class act of New Zealand yachting.
This ethos was ably formulated by the fantastic support of Marc Frewin and the team at Howick Sailing Club. Their enthusiasm to host the event and to be immersed in a fleet not represented at their club level was infectious. Their race management was spot on, with hosting and support beyond compare.
Read full regatta coverage on Live Sail Die
Don't miss your copy of the ZOA 70th Anniversary Book
The Seventieth Anniversary was worthy of a record for future generations, so Brian Peet meticulously compiled an up-to-date history of the class in an Anniversary booklet. This can still be purchased either through this website, or by contacting Brian at peetfamily@orcon.net.nz We were also very honoured to have Suellen from Live Sail Die provide world class photography coverage of the complete event.
Results in full
Download the results here (PDF)
Purchase photos of your boat
High resolution on-the-water and drone footage is available of each boat and these can be purchased for a very reasonable $25 ea through Live Sail Die using this link.
Sue Currie's remarkable story
Another highlight was regatta guest Sue Currie, who as a teenager attended the 1968 Zephyr nationals at Maraetai, Auckland. Unfortunately, her journey from Lyttelton Harbour was far from straightforward. She had the misfortune to embark on the Interisland ferry Wahine which sank in Wellington Harbour. Sue had to swim ashore to the Eastbourne shoreline in hurricane strength winds, huge southerly swells and freezing rain/hail. Fifty-one other passengers weren’t so lucky, succumbing to either drowning or hypothermia.
The following morning Sue and fellow Zephyr sailor Geoff Beaumont flew to Auckland to compete in the class nationals. Sue’s story is included in the ZOA’s 70th Anniversary Booklet, in the January issue of NZ Boating and on the ZOA website. This is a ‘must read’ story of human determination set against extraordinary circumstances.
Posted: Wednesday 25 March 2026