Bay of Islands Sailing Week - biggest yet

by Lesley Haslar on 30 Jan 2006 The first Bay Regatta was held in January 2003, with 39 yachts competing.

This year 115 yachts competed – a good number of our Northland boats along with yachts from Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, and Auckland; with James Flower's Flying 15, brought to the regatta from as far away as Great Britain.

Helter Skelter, owned by Phil Jameson, last year’s top Sports Boat at our Sailing Regatta 2005, took a break from America’s Cup in Valencia to compete in the beautiful Bay of Islands for the third time;.

Registration was Tuesday 24 Jan - with the following three days (Jan 25/26/27) racing in the Bay - windward-leeward - consisting of three divisions in ORC - four divisions in PHRF and five divisions in General Handicap. Each night there were Spot Prizes donated by some great businesses – both local and national. Two bars – and food choice of $5 burgers, paninis and/or main course dinners.

115 racing boats, consisting of a Flying 15 yacht division, competing in their 2006 Nationals; a Sports Boats division; an Etchells division and 5 Keeler Divisions.

Prize-Giving Friday 27 January, finished at around in the early hours of the morning of the 28th and was held in the 50 metre tent on Opua Wharf. It was a night to remember for many.

24 local keelers competed . The racing was exciting amongst many visiting competitive yachts. Our ‘Special Lady’ from Opua Cruising Club, won in Division D (Cruising Division) will keep the large silver trophy donated by Bavarian Yachts.

Marara (Terry Dunn - Great Escape Yacht Charter from Opua) won E Division, coming ‘hot’ from the Tall Ships race on Aorere.

The winner of the 2006 Flying 15 Nationals was Ffortune, sailed by Aaron Goodmanson and Alistair Rowlands. Local sailor Sarah Kiff won the Classic Flying 15 Division, and the overall Inner Course Championship.

Animal Biscuits (Craig Partridge from Kerikeri Cruising Club, and his trusty crew) won the Sports Division, followed by Phil Jameson on Helter Skelter.

Alex Hansen from Opua Cruising Club on Mr Wolfe won PHRF in C Division – receiving a Keri Blue Trophy. Many trophies from the BOI Sailing Regatta – are to be kept and used as beautiful plates from Keri Blue Ceramics sponsored by Bavaria Yachts..

Kerikeri Cruising Club yacht ‘Jive Talkin’ – had its usual duel with Auckland-based yacht ‘Higher Ground’ - this time ‘Jive’ winning five races to three…and so it goes on!!!

There were a few ‘confrontations’, one notable incident when Skinflint, from Opua Cruising Club ‘hit’ Southbound, who passed on the favour and ‘smacked into’ Wavelength….the boats certainly got ‘close and personal’!!

It has been a superb Regatta, now the biggest three day regatta in New Zealand; yachting crews enjoying a local New Zealand Regatta held ‘as it used to be’: Sail - return to the tent in bare feet - eat - drink and be merry - back out on the water the next day to WIN

Was it FUN??? – Yep – almost too much fun! Bay of Islands Sailing Regatta is growing to be a very recognisable New Zealand event.

See the web sites at www.opuaonline.co.nz