Strong winds and rain for Tall Ships Regatta at the Bay of Islands

by Stephen Western on 9 Jan 2012
On the 7th January the Tall Ships regatta was held, in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, in what may be the wettest occasion on record.

Only ten Tall Ships (category) Yachts finished and fifteen Classic yachts finished. The forecast was for 45 knot winds, which dampened down the usual enthusiasm some what.

Absent this year due to the weather were, R Tucker Thompson, Soren Larsen, Breeze,Isis, and Spirit Of New Zealand that remained anchored at the start.

The results were, Tall Ships,Line; Black Panther (Bay Of Islands), H/Cap first Nina (USA), second Kastaway (Matakana), third, Sione (Russell);

Classic, Line Phanton (Russell), H/Cap first Nefertiti (Keri Keri),2nd Caprice (Russell), third Florence (Russell).

Photos taken at Tapeka Point from the beach, of yachts going around the point in a Northerly swell, with an Easterly wind. 'Nina' is a most beautiful schooner, she is a 1928 Starling Burgess design and owned by the Dyche family, whom are visiting New Zealand this summer.