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Electron model yacht racing returned to Regency Lake at Gulf Harbour on November 16 with 30 skippers vying for line honours in the Des Townson Memorial event.
Competitors came from across NZ, as well as Rarotonga.
Operating Electron radio-controlled yachts, each sailor navigated an Electron course marked out by buoys on the lake. The fleet was divided into four heats, which enabled all the entrants to sail against each other.
The closely contested race was ultimately won by Warkworth’s Gary Caldwell with Gulf Harbour’s Brett May finishing second, and Auckland’s Greg Stenbeck taking third place. Townson’s wife, Sue, awarded the trophy and medals, followed by a dinner celebration at the Gulf Harbour Yacht Club.
The one-metre Electron is an authentic sailing model yacht, hand crafted in fibreglass from one mould with almost 100 individual pieces. Not to be mistaken for a toy boat, GHRCYC Commodore Peter Strathdee said the miniature version of a real yacht is suitable for beginners to sail, as well as producing exciting and challenging racing for the most experienced yachtsman.
A family legacy
Self-taught yacht designer Des Townson MNZM began his career building model boats. Having designed large yachts,as well as small racing and cruising yachts, Townson designed the small radio controlled Electron class in 1985.
Since 1988, Bucklands Beach Yacht Club (BBYC) has run an Electron regatta in November, re-naming it in 2009 after Townson’s passing. Club member Lindsay Graves said they wanted to honour the renowned yacht designer and long-standing club member.
“Des really enjoyed sailing in [the regattas], not so much the repairs he attended to willingly for fellow sailors.”
Graves said Townson’s close friend and fellow sailor, Noel May, crafted a scale model of an Electron as the regatta trophy after the inaugural Des Townson Memorial Regatta in 2009. Last year, Graves passed custodianship of the trophy to Noel’s son Brett May.
“I wanted it to be held as a family heirloom in respect of his father who built the trophy,” Graves said.
Sadly, Noel passed away in 2020.
Brett says the trophy his father crafted was part of his legacy and testament to his patience and skill as a builder of many beautiful Townson boats.
“We do consider it a May family heirloom and a piece of history representing a close relationship between Noel and Des,” May said.
Another famous Townson design, the 32-foot keeler Starling, has kic started many a young sailor’s career including that of Manly’s Russell Coutts.
