Farr 3.7 Nationals. New Plymouth Feb 27 – Mar 1 2026
When I was contemplating the entry list a week out from the 2026 nationals and noticed current North Island champ Lincoln Fraser was a no show I wrote in my diary “looks like a two-horse race”. Old dog Derek Snow, with six titles versus the relatively young 2024 champ Paul Moriarty battling at the front with last few years bridesmaid Joe Batchelor an outside chance.
And, so it proved. Derek got 4 wins, Paul got 3 with Joe Batchelor and Mike Langley picking up one each.
I was nervous pre the event at the prospect of sailing in the open water of the wild and boisterous Tasman Sea. New Plymouth has a justifiably fierce reputation for strong westerlies and big swells.
As it turned out the contest enjoyed three days of light to moderate conditions. Launching off the beach in front of the club was straightforward. Then a 30 min sail out to the race course about 1km offshore.
New Plymouth Yacht Club put on a superb competition. I thought the RO set very true courses.
P.R.O. Sasha McGregor was patient and thorough.
25 entries with 24 making the start. Cam Moratti staying away to help with a newborn baby.
We had four first time entrants competing for the John Kennett cup. All from New Plymouth club, courtesy the sterling work members there have done to promote the class.
Day one. Four races in 10 – 15 knots from the north west.
Race 1. Approx 10 kn breeze.
In a sign of things to come there was the usual jostle at the pin end with most sailors heading left. As I recall Paul Moriarty got away cleanest and led at the top mark. Maintained the lead throughout for a tidy first up effort. Pretty tight for the chasing 4-5 boats with Joe Batchelor second, Mike Langley third and Derek back in fourth. Gavin Auld and under 21 sailor Ethan Lecher rounding out the top six. Ethan recently re-named his boat “Teenage Dirt Bag”, in spite of which he was going well.
There were close finishes right down the fleet. Near the tail end I finished within a couple boat lengths of 3 others.
Chris Mitchell got the prize for first breakage. Tiller extension connector broke. Forcing him ashore midway through race one and getting DNS race two.
Race two
Bit more breeze. Same pin end crowd. I was one row back had to tack away to the right. Looked pretty good for a while but within 10 mins the group that headed left tacked on to port and were well ahead.
Derek led at the top and was never headed. Paul second, Gavin Auld following up his strong form from 2025 in third. Joe Batchelor didn’t help his chances by breaking his boom vang shortly before the start, capsized and managed to hole his sail. He scored DNS but was back for races 3 and 4 with a convenient new viewing window. Didn’t seem to affect his pace as he scored 5th and 3rd the following races.
Race three
A virtual repeat of race two. Derek got away best and led all the way. Paul was close behind. Ethan Lecher showing great pace getting up for third.
Breeze was blowing around 12-15 knots. Enough to break the top rudder gudgeon on Alan Swinney’s boat #395. He was particularly disappointed as was holding 5th place at the time with a 100m back to 6th. Alas that was the end of Alan’s regatta as the carbon fibre top plate had completely sheared off.
Fleet newbie 6ft 5in beanpole Caleb Birrell in #11 suffered similarly, ripping the rudder stock clean off after the lower gudgeon screws let go. He had been going pretty well prior scoring 10th in race 2. His boat “Farrari” was one acquired and fitted out by Paul Moriarty with a carbon mast swapped from Matt Dunne’s old boat “Celeritas” which now sits in Moriarty container awaiting refurbishment.
With a bit of assistance Caleb was back racing day two.
Stuart Sutherland in #64 at his first 3.7 nationals broke a trapeze wire. Scoring DNF.
Race four.
Prior to this national contest I thought success for me would be to finish every race and get some results better than halfway up the fleet. First three results not up to that standard.
Therefore, in this race I was not so much watching what was happening up the line as just trying to sail a tidy race and get a decent result. Last race I had clipped the top mark trying to pinch up and around, then capsized doing my 360. Losing 4- 5 places in the process.
Anyway, as I recall was another pin end crowd at the start. Derek footing off fast in clear air to the left. Derek says “I don’t have a high mode” so sails low and fast. Must work as he won the final race on day one. Finishing with 3 x 1sts and a 4th.
80+ kg Gavin Auld scored his best result getting up for 2nd.
In spite of a ripped sail Joe was 3rd. Great pace upwind.
Notable incident race four occurred when inexplicably a game fishing launch crossed through the race course towing three lures. The fishing boat crossed about 10 metres in front of Mike Langley. The first two lines which were above water level dragging from the fishing rods bounced off his forestay then his life jacket. The third line ran down the forestay with the lure snagging on his bow fitting. The reel screamed out as Mike shouted “cut the line!!”. His boat being now partially towed by the fishing boat.
Line was cut and Mike finished the race with a substantial game fishing lure on his bow fitting.
While no lasting harm was done, if the 5cm hooks had snagged Mike instead of the bow fitting it could have been very nasty.
(Apparently the harbour master has been informed.)
Mike recovered well to finish 5th!
Naomi McMinn in Keith Paine built #383 was another to have a tiller extension failure. This time the connecting pin dropped out. Took Naomi a while to figure out that the wind indicator stand would suffice to hold the extension in place. DNF for Naomi.
End of an eventful day one had Derek a couple clear on 7 points. Paul on 9, Gavin next on 14 points.
Forecast for the next day is uncharacteristic for New Plymouth 2-5 knots. Lightweight sailors are smiling. Joe Batchelor is wishing for 15-20knots.
Day two
Light variable breezes. Enlivened mid race one by a “warbirds” aerial display. WW2 era mustang fighters doing loops and various acrobatics over the race course. Bit distracting but pretty good show.
Course is the same as day one. Triangle, windward leeward with a downwind finish.
On day two we were joined by competitors in the New Plymouth two-day regatta. Notably a competitive group of paper tiger sailors. They had first start with 3.7 fleet next. The rest of the regatta sailors after the 3.7’s.
The rest of the sailors were a bit antsy as race one the 3.7 fleet had two general recalls and a bit of hanging about as the course was adjusted.
The usual suspects were to blame for the general recalls, pushing hard at the pin end.
First two races on day two had light weather expert Paul Moriarty winning, followed in order, by Derek, Mike Langley and Joe Batchelor. Breeze was not so consistent. Some of the lightweight sailors started to shine.
Notable mention to handicap winer from 2025 nationals, James Swinney scored 9th and 7th after being 4th at the top mark race 6th.
Not so lightweight Werner Henning in another Keith Paine build #382 also going well scoring 7th and 8th.
Sylvana Nieto gained household bragging rights getting up for 9th. One place better than partner Chris Mitchell’s best result of 10th.
Final race day two was a start to finish win for Mike Langley. He nailed a beautifully timed pin end start on starboard and was never headed. Not really getting too far ahead but not catchable.
Also notable for the normally very consistent Derek Snow going right hand side up the second beat and getting stranded all on his lonesome. I was told there was a bit of swearing heard as Derek tacked back to the fleet. Eventually finishing an uncharacteristic 13th.
Other notable mention for Alan Paine. Caught at the one-minute signal of race 6 still munching a sandwich. He started about a minute late but still got up to 13th. Which he subsequently was able to drop.
End day two with a one race drop.
Very consistent Paul Moriarty now leading on 9 points. Derek on 11 points, Mike Langley 20 and Joe 21.
Barring any broken legs there were realistically only two horses vying for the Farr cup going into day three.
That evening New Plymouth Yacht Club put on a good evening meal. Bit of beer and story telling.
Day three
Forecast for Sunday was a light but increasing southerly.
Fleet was held on shore for about an hour waiting for a cargo ship to clear the port. Joe was hoping for further delays as the breeze was forecast to hit 20 knots about 2pm. I was hoping to be back on shore by the time the breeze really filled in.
As it happened Joe shouldn’t have been worried. He started first race day 3 well. Led at the top mark and maintained his lead to the finish. A perennial bridesmaid he deservedly had his first race win at the nationals.
However the really important tussle was for second and third between Derek and Paul Moriarty. Each covering closely. Finally, Paul got up for second by about 6-7 boat lengths from Derek. Establishing a crucial 3-point overall lead in the process with one race to sail.
Now all Paul had to do to win his second national title was finish in the top four or within 3 places of Derek.
So, final race in a building 10-15knot breeze. As usual bit of a crowd at the pin end. Derek got away right on the pin, accelerated into clear air and sailed away. Had an 80-90m lead at the top mark and was never challenged. He had done as much as he could.
The real fight was further back, 2nd to 5th. Joe eventually held out brother-in-law Paul for 2nd place. Paul did enough to keep ahead of Mike Langley to finish third and secure his second national title by a single point.
Gavin Auld was in the 2nd to 5th mix until his trapeze line “stop knot” failed. He capsized, breaking his tiller extension in the process. Scoring DNF to mar an otherwise excellent regatta.
Further back in the fleet, not challenging for the title but sailing well was Tim Nasey in #174. Boat renamed “Mutton” in gold lettering. Tim’s boat needs a little TLC, he reckons it’s mutton dressed as lamb. Or maybe has some other meaning. Tim scored an 11th and 12th for his best nationals result overall.
Sylvana also had a great regatta. Winning best Lady Skipper and 12th overall. (One place ahead of Chris). She also picked up the handicap trophy for an overall excellent regatta.
Of the first-time national skippers Caleb Adlam in #323 “Farrari “did best. Finishing 10th overall and winning the John Kennett cup.
Fellow first time competitor Tobias Looker in #187 was less consistent. A few times in the leading group, getting to the top mark in 3rd at one point but also finishing last boat in race 7.
Best under 21 was very consistent Ethan Lecher in 6th overall. Scoring 7 x 6th places added to a 3rd and 4th. Great performance always in the leading group or thereabouts.
As the boats were heading back to the beach at end of day three racing the forecast southerly breeze came in. We had a fantastic tight lead/beat in to the beach. Flat seas, clean, clear water, sunshine. A great way to finish the series.
Prize giving was memorable by having 3 ½ yr old Mia Moriarty assisting her dad hand out the trophies. Mia also ran the sausage sandwich barbeque. Hands on hips telling uncle Joe to hurry up with the cooking. Very helpful.
Over the 52 national contests competed for since the first in 1974 only eight skippers have won more than one title. John Elliot leads the pack with 9 wins (1976 - 1999) Followed by Derek Snow with 6 wins (2014 – 2025).
Dennis Shepherd and Mark Obrien have 4 wins, Lance Oconnell, Derek Scott and Allan Wyllie have 3 wins each. Trent Cornwall won twice 1997 & 1999.
New champion Paul Moriarty now joins that select group with two wins. 2024 & 2026.
Very enjoyable regatta. Less scary conditions than expected and fantastic job of organisation by NPYC.
Donald King
As I write this am in Wellington. Ferry crossing has been cancelled. It is blowing a gale!
When I was contemplating the entry list a week out from the 2026 nationals and noticed current North Island champ Lincoln Fraser was a no show I wrote in my diary “looks like a two-horse race”. Old dog Derek Snow, with six titles versus the relatively young 2024 champ Paul Moriarty battling at the front with last few years bridesmaid Joe Batchelor an outside chance.
And, so it proved. Derek got 4 wins, Paul got 3 with Joe Batchelor and Mike Langley picking up one each.
I was nervous pre the event at the prospect of sailing in the open water of the wild and boisterous Tasman Sea. New Plymouth has a justifiably fierce reputation for strong westerlies and big swells.
As it turned out the contest enjoyed three days of light to moderate conditions. Launching off the beach in front of the club was straightforward. Then a 30 min sail out to the race course about 1km offshore.
New Plymouth Yacht Club put on a superb competition. I thought the RO set very true courses.
P.R.O. Sasha McGregor was patient and thorough.
25 entries with 24 making the start. Cam Moratti staying away to help with a newborn baby.
We had four first time entrants competing for the John Kennett cup. All from New Plymouth club, courtesy the sterling work members there have done to promote the class.
Day one. Four races in 10 – 15 knots from the north west.
Race 1. Approx 10 kn breeze.
In a sign of things to come there was the usual jostle at the pin end with most sailors heading left. As I recall Paul Moriarty got away cleanest and led at the top mark. Maintained the lead throughout for a tidy first up effort. Pretty tight for the chasing 4-5 boats with Joe Batchelor second, Mike Langley third and Derek back in fourth. Gavin Auld and under 21 sailor Ethan Lecher rounding out the top six. Ethan recently re-named his boat “Teenage Dirt Bag”, in spite of which he was going well.
There were close finishes right down the fleet. Near the tail end I finished within a couple boat lengths of 3 others.
Chris Mitchell got the prize for first breakage. Tiller extension connector broke. Forcing him ashore midway through race one and getting DNS race two.
Race two
Bit more breeze. Same pin end crowd. I was one row back had to tack away to the right. Looked pretty good for a while but within 10 mins the group that headed left tacked on to port and were well ahead.
Derek led at the top and was never headed. Paul second, Gavin Auld following up his strong form from 2025 in third. Joe Batchelor didn’t help his chances by breaking his boom vang shortly before the start, capsized and managed to hole his sail. He scored DNS but was back for races 3 and 4 with a convenient new viewing window. Didn’t seem to affect his pace as he scored 5th and 3rd the following races.
Race three
A virtual repeat of race two. Derek got away best and led all the way. Paul was close behind. Ethan Lecher showing great pace getting up for third.
Breeze was blowing around 12-15 knots. Enough to break the top rudder gudgeon on Alan Swinney’s boat #395. He was particularly disappointed as was holding 5th place at the time with a 100m back to 6th. Alas that was the end of Alan’s regatta as the carbon fibre top plate had completely sheared off.
Fleet newbie 6ft 5in beanpole Caleb Birrell in #11 suffered similarly, ripping the rudder stock clean off after the lower gudgeon screws let go. He had been going pretty well prior scoring 10th in race 2. His boat “Farrari” was one acquired and fitted out by Paul Moriarty with a carbon mast swapped from Matt Dunne’s old boat “Celeritas” which now sits in Moriarty container awaiting refurbishment.
With a bit of assistance Caleb was back racing day two.
Stuart Sutherland in #64 at his first 3.7 nationals broke a trapeze wire. Scoring DNF.
Race four.
Prior to this national contest I thought success for me would be to finish every race and get some results better than halfway up the fleet. First three results not up to that standard.
Therefore, in this race I was not so much watching what was happening up the line as just trying to sail a tidy race and get a decent result. Last race I had clipped the top mark trying to pinch up and around, then capsized doing my 360. Losing 4- 5 places in the process.
Anyway, as I recall was another pin end crowd at the start. Derek footing off fast in clear air to the left. Derek says “I don’t have a high mode” so sails low and fast. Must work as he won the final race on day one. Finishing with 3 x 1sts and a 4th.
80+ kg Gavin Auld scored his best result getting up for 2nd.
In spite of a ripped sail Joe was 3rd. Great pace upwind.
Notable incident race four occurred when inexplicably a game fishing launch crossed through the race course towing three lures. The fishing boat crossed about 10 metres in front of Mike Langley. The first two lines which were above water level dragging from the fishing rods bounced off his forestay then his life jacket. The third line ran down the forestay with the lure snagging on his bow fitting. The reel screamed out as Mike shouted “cut the line!!”. His boat being now partially towed by the fishing boat.
Line was cut and Mike finished the race with a substantial game fishing lure on his bow fitting.
While no lasting harm was done, if the 5cm hooks had snagged Mike instead of the bow fitting it could have been very nasty.
(Apparently the harbour master has been informed.)
Mike recovered well to finish 5th!
Naomi McMinn in Keith Paine built #383 was another to have a tiller extension failure. This time the connecting pin dropped out. Took Naomi a while to figure out that the wind indicator stand would suffice to hold the extension in place. DNF for Naomi.
End of an eventful day one had Derek a couple clear on 7 points. Paul on 9, Gavin next on 14 points.
Forecast for the next day is uncharacteristic for New Plymouth 2-5 knots. Lightweight sailors are smiling. Joe Batchelor is wishing for 15-20knots.
Day two
Light variable breezes. Enlivened mid race one by a “warbirds” aerial display. WW2 era mustang fighters doing loops and various acrobatics over the race course. Bit distracting but pretty good show.
Course is the same as day one. Triangle, windward leeward with a downwind finish.
On day two we were joined by competitors in the New Plymouth two-day regatta. Notably a competitive group of paper tiger sailors. They had first start with 3.7 fleet next. The rest of the regatta sailors after the 3.7’s.
The rest of the sailors were a bit antsy as race one the 3.7 fleet had two general recalls and a bit of hanging about as the course was adjusted.
The usual suspects were to blame for the general recalls, pushing hard at the pin end.
First two races on day two had light weather expert Paul Moriarty winning, followed in order, by Derek, Mike Langley and Joe Batchelor. Breeze was not so consistent. Some of the lightweight sailors started to shine.
Notable mention to handicap winer from 2025 nationals, James Swinney scored 9th and 7th after being 4th at the top mark race 6th.
Not so lightweight Werner Henning in another Keith Paine build #382 also going well scoring 7th and 8th.
Sylvana Nieto gained household bragging rights getting up for 9th. One place better than partner Chris Mitchell’s best result of 10th.
Final race day two was a start to finish win for Mike Langley. He nailed a beautifully timed pin end start on starboard and was never headed. Not really getting too far ahead but not catchable.
Also notable for the normally very consistent Derek Snow going right hand side up the second beat and getting stranded all on his lonesome. I was told there was a bit of swearing heard as Derek tacked back to the fleet. Eventually finishing an uncharacteristic 13th.
Other notable mention for Alan Paine. Caught at the one-minute signal of race 6 still munching a sandwich. He started about a minute late but still got up to 13th. Which he subsequently was able to drop.
End day two with a one race drop.
Very consistent Paul Moriarty now leading on 9 points. Derek on 11 points, Mike Langley 20 and Joe 21.
Barring any broken legs there were realistically only two horses vying for the Farr cup going into day three.
That evening New Plymouth Yacht Club put on a good evening meal. Bit of beer and story telling.
Day three
Forecast for Sunday was a light but increasing southerly.
Fleet was held on shore for about an hour waiting for a cargo ship to clear the port. Joe was hoping for further delays as the breeze was forecast to hit 20 knots about 2pm. I was hoping to be back on shore by the time the breeze really filled in.
As it happened Joe shouldn’t have been worried. He started first race day 3 well. Led at the top mark and maintained his lead to the finish. A perennial bridesmaid he deservedly had his first race win at the nationals.
However the really important tussle was for second and third between Derek and Paul Moriarty. Each covering closely. Finally, Paul got up for second by about 6-7 boat lengths from Derek. Establishing a crucial 3-point overall lead in the process with one race to sail.
Now all Paul had to do to win his second national title was finish in the top four or within 3 places of Derek.
So, final race in a building 10-15knot breeze. As usual bit of a crowd at the pin end. Derek got away right on the pin, accelerated into clear air and sailed away. Had an 80-90m lead at the top mark and was never challenged. He had done as much as he could.
The real fight was further back, 2nd to 5th. Joe eventually held out brother-in-law Paul for 2nd place. Paul did enough to keep ahead of Mike Langley to finish third and secure his second national title by a single point.
Gavin Auld was in the 2nd to 5th mix until his trapeze line “stop knot” failed. He capsized, breaking his tiller extension in the process. Scoring DNF to mar an otherwise excellent regatta.
Further back in the fleet, not challenging for the title but sailing well was Tim Nasey in #174. Boat renamed “Mutton” in gold lettering. Tim’s boat needs a little TLC, he reckons it’s mutton dressed as lamb. Or maybe has some other meaning. Tim scored an 11th and 12th for his best nationals result overall.
Sylvana also had a great regatta. Winning best Lady Skipper and 12th overall. (One place ahead of Chris). She also picked up the handicap trophy for an overall excellent regatta.
Of the first-time national skippers Caleb Adlam in #323 “Farrari “did best. Finishing 10th overall and winning the John Kennett cup.
Fellow first time competitor Tobias Looker in #187 was less consistent. A few times in the leading group, getting to the top mark in 3rd at one point but also finishing last boat in race 7.
Best under 21 was very consistent Ethan Lecher in 6th overall. Scoring 7 x 6th places added to a 3rd and 4th. Great performance always in the leading group or thereabouts.
As the boats were heading back to the beach at end of day three racing the forecast southerly breeze came in. We had a fantastic tight lead/beat in to the beach. Flat seas, clean, clear water, sunshine. A great way to finish the series.
Prize giving was memorable by having 3 ½ yr old Mia Moriarty assisting her dad hand out the trophies. Mia also ran the sausage sandwich barbeque. Hands on hips telling uncle Joe to hurry up with the cooking. Very helpful.
Over the 52 national contests competed for since the first in 1974 only eight skippers have won more than one title. John Elliot leads the pack with 9 wins (1976 - 1999) Followed by Derek Snow with 6 wins (2014 – 2025).
Dennis Shepherd and Mark Obrien have 4 wins, Lance Oconnell, Derek Scott and Allan Wyllie have 3 wins each. Trent Cornwall won twice 1997 & 1999.
New champion Paul Moriarty now joins that select group with two wins. 2024 & 2026.
Very enjoyable regatta. Less scary conditions than expected and fantastic job of organisation by NPYC.
Donald King
As I write this am in Wellington. Ferry crossing has been cancelled. It is blowing a gale!
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