Race Day Summaries

PIHA

Piha  |  27 February 2010

Type: National Surfcross

High tide: 10:30

SUMMARY

Piha was the last round of the national championship surfcross and going into the day the position of NZ champion was still up for grabs. A solid 5-6 foot swell promised to challenge all the crews.

Racing started a little late due to a couple of obnoxious surfers refusing to clear the course on ‘their beach’ despite being politely advised they would be assisted from the water by the police. However they eventually obliged and the first round of heats was underway. Due to the mix and randomness of the surf first race leader Novo went from first to last place after dunking their engine which later saw them retire from the day. Top contender Jungle coffee flipped in their first heat effectively destroying their chances of a 2010 series win. This put pressure on Black Pepper and Smuggler to ensure they remained upright and able to finish the day high on the points table. As the tide receded in the afternoon the surf flattened giving a slight advantage to the lighter crews. Now however the risk of grounding was a danger as the tide raced out and the sand bars tested drivers skill. A near pile up on D buoy saw all the boats grounded and a need for a heat restart.

Due to the mix of conditions, placings in all the heats were varied but at the end of the day it was Dodge racing who topped the points table and won the day ahead of Blackpepper and Smuggler.

The day was an excellent one to round off the season and the racing proved popular with the crowd of about 2000 who turned out in the brilliant sunshine to watch some exciting thundercat racing.