Bay of Islands Race Week - Final report

by Lesley Haslar on 4 Feb 2008
Seventy five competing boats - at a guess about 600 yachties; add-in supporters, sponsors, family and friends stopping by the North Sails Tent - there has to have been seven to eight hundred in the tent.

The first Bay of Islands Sailing Week was January 2003 with 39 boats – it’s now the biggest three-day regatta in New Zealand. “Mother Nature 2008” came up with varying wind-strengths “the good and the not-so-good”. But yachties are like farmers. “Too much – not enough – too strong – too light – too many – too few”. I rest my case. Maybe the Regatta needs a lay-day to play with?

International Judges dispensed quick quality decisions; so good to have that experience on hand. The Regatta gets better every year; and the volunteers (up to one hundred this year) are always generous with enthusiasm and personal time. The wide selection of divisions allows a variety of boats to compete on more even levels.

From Flying fifteen and sport boats with bodies stacked out over the water trying to reach take-off speed – to swing keelers and speed machines from all other divisions, stretching muscles to bursting point. Powerful machines “red-lining it” - to be just that much faster than “the enemy”.

The big screen made it easier for Spot Prize Winners. Paul Murray (Casper) from North Sails did a superb job in presenting prizes on the final night – with Graeme McCarty from Kerikeri Cruising Club as MC. The Prizes are Woodcraft designs with paua inlay from Romeyn Woodcraft, Sponsored by Mariner Insurance,won and kept by the prize-winners. Memories are a gift to cherish.

Ken Williams (www.e-statics.net) has furnished some of our photos. His web site is worth a look for closer shots of individual boats.

The competition is pretty fierce at the Bay Regatta but with great comradeship. The end of the day in the tent is great for the crews, and really a “one-off” in New Zealand.

The Briefings went without a hitch with the Opua Community Hall “only a short 5 minute walk from North Sails Tent”. Yep – Standing Room Only – and no beer – but then again, “only a short five minute walk back to the North Sail’s tent”. The Waikokopu Café food was reasonably priced with yummy food. They’re pretty familiar by now with the tasty morsels required by yachties.

The racing is what it’s all about; a few mishaps when specific boats got “up close and personal”, but no injuries. And so the tent gets packed away yet again. A big thank you to all the competitors from the Bay of Islands Sailing Committee of eight, the Sponsors, the Spot Prize Donators, the Volunteers. We’ll see you all again in 2009.

Hot Off The Press: We are delighted to advise of televised selections from the Regatta on Sky TV, courtesy of Herb Pryde, Silver Fox Productions Ltd. SKY SPORT 1
Monday 10 March 2100 hrs - Tuesday 11 March 1730 hrs – Tuesday 11 March 2000 hrs.

The Committee would like to sincerely thank the Sponsors – without you there would be no Bay Regatta: Beneteau - Boating NZ - Crew.org.nz – Far North Holdings Ltd -Great Escape Yacht Charters – Harken - Heineken - Mariner Marine Insurance – Mount Gay Rum-NZ Yachting Trust - North Sails - Raymarine – RFD - Romeyn Woodcraft – Vero Insurance.

The Spot Prizes were kindly donated by: Robert Aukett Boat Painter, Mt Gay Rum, Bay of Islands Spars and Rigging, Cater Marine, Wet and Forget, Alpine and Marine, Odyssey, Explore NZ, Nev Campbell Resene, Sally's Restaurant, Swellmap.com, Paihia Beach Resort, Kingsgate Autolodge, Keri Stationary and Ship's Chandlery, Saltwater Lodge, Copthorne Hotel, Fullers, Boating NZ, Romeyn Woodcraft

Bay of Islands Sailing Week will be back – January 2009

Web site and general information at www.bayofislandssailingweek.org.nz -