On Sunday, 10 November 2024, ten highly competitive Young 88 yachts assembled for the Young 88 Northern Owners Championship, hosted by Bucklands Beach Yacht Club.
Dangerzone, the defending champion, led by owner/skipper Harry Thurston and powered by Doyle Sails, returned to the water with their 2023 title on the line and a reputation to uphold. Thurston and his crew delivered an impressive performance, winning four of the five races and reaffirming their dominance in the fleet.
The competition was intense, with each team eyeing the top spot. The conditions added an extra layer of challenge, as sailors navigated through shifting winds between 5-10 knots and faced a passing rain squall, requiring constant vigilance and quick adjustments. Despite the varying conditions, Dangerzone’screw maintained their edge, managing the shifts effectively and staying ahead of the competition.
“As usual, the Young 88 fleet delivered with silver medalists, world match racing champions, and us Sunday battlers,” said Thurston.
“The racing was very tight and tactical. My team on Dangerzone sailed very well, probably the best we have with a very good vibe on the boat. Tactics were on point, our starts were good and the crew work was great! I’m very proud of the core team to have won the Nationals back in March and now the Owners Champs back-to-back. We are really enjoying the racing and are excited about this season,” continued Thurston.
Hot on Dangerzone’s heels was Waka Huia, helmed by Nick Gillies. Backed by Olympic 49er silver medalists Isaac McHardie and Will McKenzie, Waka Huia never finished outside the top three, showcasing consistency and skill across all five races. Though they kept the pressure on Dangerzone, Gillies and his team ultimately secured second place overall, just missing the top spot.
Rounding out the podium was Doyle-powered Undercover, skippered by Mark Tapper, with world-ranked match racer Nick Egnot-Johnson trimming the main. The experienced team on Undercover kept pace with the leaders, demonstrating sharp decision-making and agility in the shifting conditions to claim third place overall.
Undercover. 2024 North Sails Young 88 Northern Owners Championship. Sunday 10 November. Photo: Suellen Hurling / Live Sail Die
The fleet remained tightly packed throughout the event, with every crew on the start line pushing hard for a piece of the winning action. Sailors needed to stay sharp, reading the shifts and seizing every tactical advantage on the course. This year’s championship delivered exhilarating one-design racing, proving once again why the Young 88 class continues to draw top-tier talent and thrilling competition.
“Tough day for the boys on the Undercover, super tricky race course today. Getting on the wrong side of a few shifts was the motto but the boys did a great job and we had a amazing time out there competing in this great fleet of boats!
Nick Egnot-Johnson – main trim
Undercover
Overall Results
- Dangerzone (Harry Thurston) – 4pts
- Waka Huia (Nick Gillies) – 8pts
- Undercover (Mark Tapper) – 12pts
- Flash Gordon (Dean Drummond) – 13pts
- War Machine (Mike Leyland) – 17pts
- Babe (Gavin Haslip) – 24pts
- Smokey (Wayne Mackenzie) – =29pts
- Heartlight (Roger Sims) – =29pts
- Paddy Wagon (Gary Fowler) – 32pts
- Fatal Attraction (Mark Nicholls) – not eligible for overall results
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