It was a successful weekend for the Port Chalmers Yacht Club in more ways than one.
In its 125th year, the club hosted the Noelex 22 and 25 class South Island championships on Saturday and Sunday, producing winners in both events. The regatta on Otago Harbour featured only light winds.
Alex Bruce claimed an exciting win in the 22 class after the event came down to the final leg of the last of six races. He was neck and neck with Christchurch's Vince Williams and both men passed each other several times in the race to the finish line.
However, it was Bruce who edged ahead at the end, finishing half a boat length in front to take his third first place of the weekend and claim a narrow win.
Richard Hawkins, who earlier this year was named Otago yachtsman of the year for the third time, won the 25 class relatively comfortably.
Hawkins won four of his first five races and had the event sewn up as he headed into the final race, with only the five best finishes counting towards the overall points.
Hawkins, also the club commodore, said the weekend went well for the club.
''It was really good. It was good for the club.
''We're in our 125th year, so we're trying to get events at the club this year to sort of celebrate and make the club look busy for the year, so it's really good.''
The national championships for both events would be held in January and February next year, the 22 class in Timaru and the 25 class in Napier.
However, Hawkins was unsure who would attend the 25 class championships, which the club won last year, because they clashed with the club's Waitangi weekend 125th anniversary celebrations.
''On Waitangi weekend we're having a 125th regatta and celebration, where past members and such will be invited along.
''There's not too many clubs around the country that are 125 years old.''
-By Jeff Cheshire
