Still time to enter Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta

by Susan Robinson-Derus on 15 Jan 2009
There’s still time for sailors to sign up for New Zealand’s oldest sporting event and participate in the Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta to celebrate our maritime heritage on Monday, January 26.

Believed to be one of the biggest one day regattas in the world, hundreds of craft from tall ships, vintage tugboats, classic yachts, gaff riggers, racing keelers, sloops, sailing dinghies, sailboards and radio controlled boats will race for line honours in their respective classes in a full day of racing – and parading.

'This is an iconic event and we would encourage all sailors to join the celebrations and test their skills on the water' said Regatta Organising Committee Chairman, Eric Mahoney. 'The regatta has been a training ground for many up and coming sailors including many America’s Cup crew who started off racing Optimists.'

Entries close on Wednesday, 21 January, and all are welcome. Go to www.regatta.org.nz or phone 0800 REGATTA (0800 734 2882) for more information on how to enter.

The regatta fleet sails at 9:00 am from Viaduct Harbour with a parade that stretches to the main starting line off Orakei Wharf, under the watchful guise of the regatta flagship, HMNZ Te Mana.

One of the best spectacles for landlubbers will be the tug and workboat race off North Head at 10:00an when the big grunters, including one of last year’s frontrunners, the veteran Willian C Daldy tug, will battle it out with older, smaller and sprightly vessels, some well over 100 years old.

There is a lucky draw for two people to join the fray aboard the Ports of Auckland‘s modern day working boat, Daldy, and be part of the parade and display of these workhorses’ speed and agility. To enter the draw, send the keyword ‘Daldy’ with your name, address and contact phone number to tugboat@poal.co.nz or post your entry to Tugboat Race prize draw, c/o Ports of Auckland, PO Box 1281, Auckland. Entries close at 9:00am on Wednesday, 21 January.

Some of the country’s oldest and most elegant gaffers will also be racing under sail, with the very recently renovated, Jessie Logan, a star attraction. One of the originals from the Logan Brothers shipyard, she will be part of a classic fleet which will likely include Waitangi, Thelma, Rainbow, Ranger, Gloriana, Tucana and Loloma.

These 'queens of the harbour' will be out on the water at the same time as the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series and the Kiwi Cup sailors go through their practice runs in the lead up to their respective competitions.

Best vantage points for action on the water are at North Head, Bastion Point, Tamaki Drive, East Coast Bays, Orakei Wharf and Viaduct Harbour.

Spectators may also enjoy visiting the Viaduct Harbour on the Sunday evening when the classic fleet will be lit up as part of the long weekend of festivities organised by Auckland City Council.

Local shipping and freight company, Oceanbridge Shipping, is naming rights sponsor for the event, first held 169 years ago, to head a family of sponsors including, Auckland City Council, Ports of Auckland Limited, Classic Hits 97.4FM, Lion Foundation and the Spirit of Adventure Trust. The Royal New Zealand Navy, which provides the Regatta flagship, is a key supporter.

For more information and entry forms go to:
www.regatta.org.nz or phone 0800 REGATTA (0800 734 2882)