Wednesday 20 January 2010

Racing underway at Bay of Islands Sailing Week

by Jodie Bakewell-White

Bay of Islands Sailing Week 2010 kicks off with racing set to get underway today. A total of eighty three boats are entered with late entries joining the fleet yesterday.

“Mother Nature is on our side so far – though she advises via MetVUW that Wednesday evening could be a little ‘nasty’ while crews are enjoying ‘social-time’ in the North Sails Tent,” says Lesley Halsar who will be reporting throughout the regatta. “10 to 15 knot winds are predicted - with the Beach Party on Roberton Island Thursday at end of the day’s racing.”

“Trans Tasman Rivalry will be noticeable at the Bay Regatta with Limit, (a 63 foot Reichel Pugh design) as the first registered Australian yacht ready for battle with the Kiwis in A Division; in particular with Jim Farmer’s new Georgia (52 foot Botin & Carleek 52),” says Lesley Haslar.

The Bay Regatta offers a well balanced program in each of nine divisions including the Passage Divisions, more popular with local and visiting boats offering scenic courses with islands as markers. A spectacle of colourful sails speeding across the bay will be great shore-side entertainment - best viewing from Waitangi Golf Course and top of Tapeka Point, Russell.

Bay of Islands Sailing Week
Yachting New Zealand

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