Media Release
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Media Release – Race 6 Wellington – Action a Plenty in Capital The weekend kicked off on Friday night with the Sinead Worts and the Wellington Konica Minolta team hosting their customers at the fabulous Port Nicholson Yacht Club. The strong northerly breeze creating thrills for large contingent that decided to brave the lively Wellington chop for ride in the fast lane. Come race day, Wellington provided a deceptively calm contrast to recent races with a light southerly suggesting a quick race, but was this the calm before the storm? At the racing season draws to a close, title contenders want to stake their claim for the individual championship honours. For Konica Minolta driver Mikey Smith & co-driver Adam Smale, it was all about protecting the healthy points lead gained after two 1 st , two 2 nd & a 3 rd placing in the Sports 60 Restricted championship to date and still perform in front of his home town supporters. Team Konica Minolta got off to a great start leading the other 60m mile competitors into Oriental Bay but this race was certainly a ‘game of two halves’ when Superboat Alimax who was leading the way in the 100 miler field came unstuck at the Point Jerningham lighthouse turn when they were hit from behind by Superboat, Fairview Aluminium causing Alimax to flip. Luckily both crew managed escape without injury. The race was red flagged and this time Smith was being challenged hard by Auckland District Collections, our closest competitor in the 60 mile championship. (Yes we have paid our bills!) Both boats appeared to be matched identically in speed with Team Konica Minolta having the upper hand on the long let out to the centre mark. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be Smith’s day. While challenging for the lead the boys pushed the Force F19X & Evinrude E-TEC 200hp outboard to the limit and after a couple of high speed broaches they crossed the line second in class and third overall in the 60 mile race. After one broach, some damage occurred affecting the boat’s speed. “I’m disappointed as I know we could have won today. We had the boat flying and I was keen to get a good result. I made a couple of small errors in the turns and that was enough for them [Auckland District Collections & Espresso Engineers] to get a gap on us. We are so evenly matched it only takes one small error and it makes it so hard to get back that lost ground” a disappointed Smith said afterwards. Co – driver Adam Smale was quick to point out “Mike Knight has only managed to beat us in the last two races. He has narrowed our lead but we need to be thinking about the championship with just two races to go. We’ve had 100% finishing record and we are keen to maintain it.” “We need as many supporters in Auckland as possible, as a win in Auckland will be enough for the boys to take the title. You are welcome to join us in Saturday April 28 th at 1.00pm to rally support” Greg Brinck, Team Manager said.
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Konica Minolta Racing Team
Transcript of Media Release
Media Release – Race 6 Wellington – Action a Plenty in Capital The weekend kicked off on Friday night with the Sinead Worts and the Wellington Konica Minolta team hosting their customers at the fabulous Port Nicholson Yacht Club. The strong northerly breeze creating thrills for large contingent that decided to brave the lively Wellington chop for ride in the fast lane. Come race day, Wellington provided a deceptively calm contrast to recent races with a light southerly suggesting a quick race, but was this the calm before the storm? At the racing season draws to a close, title contenders want to stake their claim for the individual championship honours. For Konica Minolta driver Mikey Smith & co-driver Adam Smale, it was all about protecting the healthy points lead gained after two 1st, two 2nd & a 3rd placing in the Sports 60 Restricted championship to date and still perform in front of his home town supporters.
Team Konica Minolta got off to a great start leading the other 60m mile competitors into Oriental Bay but this race was certainly a ‘game of two halves’ when Superboat Alimax who was leading the way in the 100 miler field came unstuck at the Point Jerningham lighthouse turn when they were hit from behind by Superboat, Fairview Aluminium causing Alimax to flip. Luckily both crew managed escape without injury. The race was red flagged and this time Smith was being challenged hard by Auckland District Collections,
our closest competitor in the 60 mile championship. (Yes we have paid our bills!) Both boats appeared to be matched identically in speed with Team Konica Minolta having the upper hand on the long let out to the centre mark. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be Smith’s day. While challenging for the lead the boys pushed the Force F19X & Evinrude E-TEC 200hp outboard to the limit and after a couple of high speed broaches they crossed the line second in class and third overall in the 60 mile race. After one broach, some damage occurred affecting the boat’s speed. “I’m disappointed as I know we could have won today. We had the boat flying and I was keen to get a good result. I made a couple of small errors in the turns and that was enough for them [Auckland District Collections & Espresso Engineers] to get a gap on us. We are so evenly matched it only takes one small error and it makes it so hard to get back that lost ground” a disappointed Smith said afterwards. Co – driver Adam Smale was quick to point out “Mike Knight has only managed to beat us in the last two races. He has narrowed our lead but we need to be thinking about the championship with just two races to go. We’ve had 100% finishing record and we are keen to maintain it.” “We need as many supporters in Auckland as possible, as a win in Auckland will be enough for the boys to take the title. You are welcome to join us in Saturday April 28th at 1.00pm to rally support” Greg Brinck, Team Manager said.
Photos courtesy of Cathy Vercoe – www.LuvMyBoat.com Next race: Thunder under the Bridge 28-April Auckland Harbour For further information, contact Leanne Erceg 021 825 821
