Racing in the Marlborough Sounds - Waikawa Boat Club Annual Regatta

by Don Gurteen on 21 Jan 2013
The 2013 Waikawa Boat Club Summer Regatta took place over the weekend of the 11th, 12th and 13th of January.

Thirty one yachts ranging from a couple of Nolex 22's up to fifteen meters, and from a diverse collection of designers: Farr, Ross Elliot,Young, Lidgard and Davidson plus others.

Divided in into four divisions, all boats competed in three races each day, two round the buoys and one long harbour. The majority of entries were local, but there were boats from Wellington, Christchurch and Nelson.

Contrary to sailor's superstitions Friday turned out to be a perfect day, brilliant sunshine with a good breeze, it was a bit fluky from time to time. But anybody who has sailed in the Sounds knows how fickle the wind here can be.

Saturday, was overcast but the wind held and the expected rain held off. Sunday, the last day came in, much the same as the previous day, but the wind pressure was starting to build by lunch time.

Race control decided to cancel the last race of the day due to conditions getting so bad that there were some serious safety concerns. Later at the prize giving an entrant from Wellington was heard to say, the conditions were normal to them.

Everybody agreed they had had a great weekend, the club used their excellent facilities to look after the social side of things, from full English breakfast in the morning to various menus and bar service, for those who had energy enough to keep going late into the Waikawa Boat Club