You just have to say Brady and Barker together to know it’s going to be some fantastic racing.

Dean Barker won the first match by 55 seconds and Gavin Brady came back to win race two by 14 seconds. Brady then took race three by 29 seconds and Barker in a match break point that ended in a close luffing match, contact right on the finish line, two penalties to Brady – and Barker took the win to level it up.

The finals were now down to the deciding – fifth race. Off the start it was clear Barker wanted the left and Brady the right, and at the top mark for the first time as the boats came together Barker was in front by almost 30 seconds. In the strong tide as Barker rounded the top mark he was propelled towards the bottom and went on to extend his lead and win race five by 54 seconds.

This is the fourth time Dean Barker has won the New Zealand Match Racing Championships first in 1998 and then three times in a row, 2004, 2005 & now the hat trick 2006. He is the only skipper to win the illustrious title four times; the next skipper winning three times is Gavin Brady.

The winner of this event also receives an invitation to the Auckland Match Racing Cup, Grade 1 also held by the Squadron at the end of January 2007. Dean Barker is already a confirmed entry for this event.

Chris Dickson beat Adam Minoprio 2 – nil in the petit finals, Minoprio fought hard against the BMW Oracle’s helmsman in the mid range 14 – 18knots breeze, but Dickson showed his experience winning race one by 36 seconds & race two by 20 seconds.

Final Results

D. Barker def. G. Brady (55")
G. Brady def. D.Barker (14")
G. Brady def. D.Barker (24")
D. Barker def. G. Brady (DNF)
D. Barker def. G. Brady (54")

Petit Final

C. Dickson def. A. Minoprio (36")
C. Dickson def. A. Minoprio (20")