2012 Grocery Industry Charity Gulf Classic in Support of The Hearing House

The 2012 Grocery Industry Charity Gulf Classic suffered at the hands of Auckland's dissapointing summer weather. The first date was called of because of Gale force winds and whilst strong Easterlies were forecast for the second day these fortunately did not eventuate and the sailors instead battled the tide in a very light Easterly breeze. With some of New Zealand's and the World's top Americas Cup, Olympic and Match Racing sailors at the helm all crews got a feel for some of the skills involved in yacht racing at the highest level. In the end New Zealand's top ranked match racer on the world circuit Phil Robertson led his Heinz Watties crew to victory just ahead of Americas Cup skipper Chris Dickson and his crew from Hansells.

On behalf of The Hearing House thank you to the grocery industry, the participating companies, the celebrity and MRX sailors who made this event possible and helped raise a substantial contribution for The Hearing House.

Photos of the winners and the crews in sailing action follow together with the Celebrity Sailors who volunteered their time. Watch out for the Olympic sailors in the news - there are some excellent medal prospects here.

2012 Grocery Industry Charity Gulf Classic Winning Crew and Sailors in Action

The Winners - Phil Robertson and Mary Jane Boland and the winning Heinz Watties crew

A well earned beer for the crews - ready for prize giving

  Jockying for position just before the start

And they are away

Phil Robertson & his Heinz Watties crew

Chris Dickson talks tactics with the Hansells team

Harry Thurston and The Hearing House courtesy of Cerebos Greggs

 Blair Tuke and Countdown looking for wind

Garth Ellingham & Chep head for Stanley Point

Phil Douglas & Emerald Foods - weight forward for light air speed

Peter Burling and Arnotts & Countdown closing in on the Bridge.

Will Tiller and William Aitkin & Co moving along nicely

Sarah Macky / Dunn and Coca Cola Amatil ghosting along

Our Thanks to NZ's Outstanding Celebrity Sailors Who Volunteered Their Time

Unfortunately some could make the first day but not the second. Chris Dickson came all the way from Matamata especially!

Chris Dickson - World Match Racing Champion, Americas Cup skipper and Olympian

 

 

 

 

Jeremy Scantlebury - Americas Cup sailor with Team NZ when they won and retained the Cup

 

 

 

 

 

Tom Dodson - Americas Cup Sailor and now principal tactician and co-helmsman of J Class Valsheda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Jez Fanstone - Yachting NZ's Olympic Programs Manager, coach of highly successful British team last Olympics

 

 

 

 

  Hamish Pepper - Tactician for Dean Barker with Team NZ and multiple Olympian - competing in London Olympics in the Star class

 

 

 

 

Jo Aleh - Competed in China Olympics in the Laser Radial - competing in London Olympics in the 470 class - skipper

 

 

 

Olivia Powrie - competing in the London Olympics in the 470 class - crew

 

 

 

 

 

  Peter Burling - competing in the London Olympics in the 49er class - skipper

 

 

 

 

 

Blair Tuke - competing in the London Olympics in the 49er class - crew

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah Macky - Multiple Olympian, (Sydney and Athens), in the Europe dinghy

 

 

 

Phil Robertson - skipper, NZs top ranked team in 2011 and 2012 on the World Match Racing circuit

 

 

 

 

Garth Ellingham - crew, NZ's top ranked team in 2011 and 2012 on the World Match Racing Circuit

 

 

 

 

  Will Tiller - skipper, current NZ Keel Boat Champion and up and coming youth team on the World Match Racing Circuit

 

 

 

 

Harry Thurston - crew, current NZ Keel Boat Champion up and coming youth team on the World Match Racing Circuit

 

 

 

 

Phil Douglas - NZ Keel Boat champion and coach NZ Olympic team for London Olympics