Dean Barker the NZL Match Race Champion

source: www.yachting.org.nz

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.
It was a very tough Final. Barker won the first race and Brady the next two which put the pressure on Barker to take the next to keep his series alive.
It was a close battle and as the boats came down to the finish line Brady luffed Barker. Brady was penalised for the collision and Barker won the race and then the final race to win the 2006 New Zealand Match Racing Championships for the fourth time!