Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta turns 170, Feb 1, 2010

by Susan Robinson-Derus on 2 Dec 2009 On Monday, 1 February 2010, New Zealand’s oldest sporting event, the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta will celebrate its 170th anniversary with a celebration of our maritime history and heritage on land and sea with a fleet of sail boats, classic yachts, tugboats and tall ship as well as two Australian contenders.

'The Regatta is synonymous with Auckland’s celebration of its birthday and embraces all classes of sail boats including classic yachts and tugboats and all classes of sailors,' says Organising Committee Chairman, Eric Mahoney. 'Anniversary Day regattas have been a training ground for many of the current world champions, Olympic and America’s Cup yachties and there will be a full fleet of some of our fastest and most innovative craft racing.

'The regatta will also provide a rare opportunity to witness the revival of some of our great classic yachts and workboats which have been beautifully restored to their original glory using the skills of local maritime historians and the Traditional Boatbuilding School at Hobsonville.'

Entries are now open at www.regatta.org.nz or phone 0800 REGATTA (0800 734 2882). It costs $15.00 for centreboard yachts and radio controlled yachts to enter and $25.00 for tugboats, keelboats and multihulls.

In 2010 a large fleet of some of Auckland’s legendary racing yachts will be battling for line honours on the Waitemata Harbour including Thelma, Rainbow, Ranger, Gloriana, Tawera, Wairiki and Little Jim. Many of these beautiful vessels will be lit on Sunday evening at their moorings in Viaduct Harbour.

Joining the 170th celebrations will be two Australian classic yachts, Wrath of Odin and Fair Winds, which are currently sailing across the Tasman ready to show their racing form against New Zealand counterparts in the regatta and then compete in the four day Southern Trust Classic Yacht Regatta starting on 12 February.

A highlight of the day will again be the tugboat race with some 30 tugs and towing launches, many of them vintage vessels, from around Auckland, Northland and Bay of Plenty joining the line up.

A new course has been set with the finish line off the southern end of Devonport Wharf, providing great vantage points for landlubbers to enjoy the action. At 11.30 am following the race, there will be a display and parade of tugs through the ages around Viaduct Harbour. Many of the tugboats will then berth at the Viaduct to allow closer inspection by enthusiasts.

'We’re expecting a great fleet and some hard competition,' says tugboat organiser, Baden Pascoe.

The presence of the Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Mana off Orakei as flagship for the day will add greatly to the pomp and spectacle of the Anniversary Day Regatta which is now known as the Oceanbridge Anniversary Day Regatta to acknowledge the long term sponsorship of North Shore based shipping company and sailing supporter, Oceanbridge.

In addition, HMNZS Taupo, one of the new inshore navy patrol vessels, will be the official race committee boat for the 2010 event and will be positioned on the start line off the end of Princess Wharf.

There will be great viewing of the races from around the harbour shoreline and North Head, Bastion Point and Orakei.

Onshore Anniversary Weekend celebrations will be in full swing in the Viaduct from Saturday with non stop entertainment, the Auckland Buskers Festival, the Auckland Seafood Festival and free entry to Voyager National Maritime Museum.

'This really will be a wonderful birthday to celebrate Auckland,' Mr Mahoney said.

The family of regatta sponsors headed by Oceanbridge Shipping Limited also includes Auckland City Council, Ports of Auckland Limited, Classic Hits 97.4FM, Southern Trust, Lion Foundation and the Spirit of Adventure Trust with generous support from the Royal New Zealand Navy.

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