Wellington Anniversary Regatta reinstated

by Event Media on 15 Nov 2006 New Zealand's oldest regatta is back on the sailing calendar with the re-instatement of the Wellington Anniversary regatta.

First staged in January 1841 to commemorate the arrival of the first settlers into Wellington, the regatta was the major fixture on the Wellington sailing programme for many years featuring some of the famous New Zealand yachts of the time.

Wellington Yachting Association has re-instated the event and with naming sponsorship from Burnsco Marine and Gill the regatta will now run over three days featuring keel boats, trailer yachts , Etchells, Flying 15’s and all dinghy classes and radio controlled yachts from Saturday 20th to Monday 22nd January.

The programme also features the Wellington to Nelson RPNYC Ocean race which starts on Friday 19th January and incorporates the North Island championships for the Flying Dutchman and Sunburst classes.

WYA president Mike Coupe said that with over 19 classes and divisions of yachts racing over the three days, the Capital City harbour will certainly be able to claim the title of ‘City of Sails’ from Auckland for the long weekend.

'Burnsco Marine in conjunction with Gill, the international yachting clothing manufacturer have provided sponsorship & prizes for all place getters in all divisions including the PHRF results for the Nelson race and made the regatta a major event & permanent fixture on the Wellington sailing calendar again'

NOR & entry forms are available on the WYA website.www.wya.wellington.net.nz