The Top of the South Regionals was hosted this year by the Marlborough Colleges Sailing Club & the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club over the 30th March to 1st April.

After a good southerly blow moved up the South island on Wednesday night and temperatures dropped, Thursday 30^th saw all interisland ferries cancelled due to 6 metre swells in Cook Strait. Picton Harbour looked very different however and we waited until lunchtime for some breeze to get the regatta underway. With seven teams from Nelson, two from Marlborough and three from Christchurch the eager sailors began a qualifying round to establish gold and silver fleets. Wind was light, sailing was tight.

The breeze filled in a little earlier on day two and with six teams in each fleet, gold and silver competition began in earnest. As the northwesterly breeze built during the day the gusts began and  challenged us in both strength and direction. The gold fleet managed to complete their round but  silver fleet was sent ashore in the interests of safety.   Again the sailing was close and there were tiebreaks to establish the order at the end of the round.

Day three dawned wet, grey and windy. The northwesterly quickly died out but the drizzly rain persisted. When the northerly began to fill in the round was completed for the silver fleet in the very light conditions and second rounds for both fleet began. The rain persisted, the wind built and gnarly gusts were experienced. All sailing was abandoned by mid afternoon.

Photos on Facebook: Queen Charlotte Yacht Club.

Results:

Gold	Silver
1. Christs College	7.  Nelson Girls College A
2. Chch Boys Combo	8.  Waimea A
3. Nayland College	9.  Nelson College for Boys
4. Queen Charlotte College	10.Nelson Girls College B
5. Marlborough Boys College	11. Wainea B
6. Chch Girls combo	12. Garin College

Regatta winner: Christs College

Silver Fleet winner: Nelson Girls College A

Top of the South Trophy: Marlborough v Nelson: Nelson

Highest places Nelson Team: Nayland

Highest place Girls Team: Christchurch Girls Combo