Quantum Sails NZ Auckland to Tauranga finally over

by Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club on 9 Apr 2007
The Auckland to Tauranga Race finally finished at 2008 hrs on Friday night.

What a race !

Seventy three yachts crossed the start line for the start of the Quantum Sails NZ Auckland to Tauranga Race in very light winds at 10am on Thursday.

With one of the largest fleets in recent times the race this year did not have any of the high profile racing yachts of the past couple of years

The first boat to cross the finish line was Wired, a Cookson 50, at 0437 the next day followed by the multihull Taeping at 0526 hrs. Wired was overall winner on IRC.

The last boat crossed the line at 2008 hrs on Friday after 34 hours of frustrating racing - an average of about 3.5 knts.

The first three yachts crossed the finish line within 49 minutes of each other, the last four to finish were within 2.5 minutes of each other.

Of the 73 starters 25 boats eventually pulled after either running out of patience or the fear of running out of food.

Winds were light, variable or non existent for most of the race with a squall, together with a thunder and lightning display thrown in about halfway through the race.

Some dolphin and whale sightings gave momentary relief to the boredom for some but generally frustration ruled the day

Fully Charged (multihull) was the first Tauranga yacht home at 1351 hrs.

The first Tauranga monohull yacht to crossed the line at 1418 hrs was Frenzy, followed by Honeywell at 1451 hrs and Arethusa at 1454 hrs

Congratulations to all sailors who took part in the race and despite the comments stepping onto the marina we know you will be back next year.

Our special thanks to the sponsors who have supported this race this year.

To all of the out of town boats we wish you a pleasant cruise home.

Full results can be seen at: www.yacht.org.nz/