Yachting: Dominant Bayfield pair sail away with title

The Bayfield High School pair of Ben Hawker and Chris Harris have taken an unassailable lead in the race for line honours at the Sunburst South Island Secondary School Championships on Otago Harbour, with one day's racing still to go.

The pair have been in dominant form since racing began on Monday, winning nine of the 10 races to date.

Fifty-five secondary school pupils from Otago and Southland are involved in the fiveday regatta, which is based at the Otago Yacht Club. It is the fourth year the regatta has been staged.

Hawker (16), from the Macandrew Bay Yacht Club, has continued the form that saw him team with Douglas Williams and finish fourth in last month's New Zealand Sunburst Championships, which were also held in Dunedin.

Harris (14), a member of the Vauxhall Yacht Club, is also a talented sailor and is part of the Ravensbourne Youth Yachting Trust's coaching programme in 29ers.

While the Bayfield pair are well clear on points, the battle for the minor placings remains close with crews from Kings High School, Otago Boys High School, Wakatipu High School and Southland Boys all in the running.

Yachting continues to build a strong following in Dunedin schools, with Bayfield, OBHS OGHS and Kings all being represented at the champion ships by several crews.

Weather permitting, four races will be held today to determine final placings. A fun day and prizegiving will take place tomorrow.