This annual regatta is a showcase for New Zealand’s unique classic yacht fleet. With a number of the gaff-rigged classic yachts, both large and small, now over 120 years old, it truly is a marvel to see them being raced in the manner that they were launched so many years ago. Such is the esteem to which our classic yacht fleet is held, several of our Australian classic yachting friends made their annual pilgrimage to sail on these New Zealand classic yachts. They marvel at the number of truly classic yachts we have sailing and racing hard on the Waitemata. The fleet enjoyed good breezes over the extended weekend. Sailing was centred around the Northern Leading area with a good mix of courses across most of harbour marks out beyond North Head, down to Iliomana and Motukorea, and out to Rangitoto Light. Friday afternoon was a 15 knot westerly that provided a nice start for the regatta. The two races on Saturday were sailed in 15-18 knots and gusts to 25 knots during the afternoon. Sunday dawned very light and after a delayed start the fleet enjoyed two very good races in 10-15 knots to complete the regatta. The four fleets comprised A Class Gaff-rigged, A Class Bermudan-rigged, B Class classics and Modern Classics.
The A Class Gaff-rigged fleet saw the big boats
Rawhiti
(1905, skippered by Peter Brookes) and
Ariki
(1904, Robin Kenyon) dominate the line honours with
Rawhiti
taking the series line honours.
On handicap,
Rainbow
(1898, David Glen) had a very strong regatta, and came away with the series handicap honours ahead of
Rawhiti
and
Ngatira
(1905, Steve Horsley).
Ngatira
was just back in the water after a major restoration and was looking magnificent.
The A Class Bermudan-rigged fleet saw
Tawera
(1936, Mike Mahoney) dominating both line and handicap series honours ahead of
Little Jim
(1934, James Mortimer) and
Prize
(1923, Chad Thompson). This was a particularly meritorious performance by
Tawera
after they had to pull out all stops to fix their mast after breaking the top off the mast on Mahurangi Regatta weekend in late January.
The B Class fleet comprised a mixed fleet of 8 yachts with a wide range of size and rig styles, and some interesting stories too. It was great to see Wendy Muir and other in the Young family sailing
Tango
, the smart little C Class, for the first time in over 40 years, courtesy of the owner Andrew Mikkelson. And
Ethel
(1896), the long storied and well-travelled ketch, was looking very smart too.
Teal
(Andy Pitcher) dominated both line and handicap honours, with both podiums shared with
Tango
(Wendy Muir) and
Jonquil
(Daniel Renall).
In the Modern Classic fleet (boats designed before 1975),
Ta’Aroa
, the big S&S 50 footer long campaigned by the Gilfoyle family, was the clear line honours winner in all races. However,
Starlight
(Townson, Richard Dodd) sailed very well and secured handicap honours ahead of
Ta’Aroa
and
Princess
(Stewart 34, Jon Nash).
Rainbow
and
Little Jim
combined, as Logan designed and built boats, to win the Designer Award.
Rainbow
won the Best Overall Performing Yacht in all classes. The regatta was hosted at RNZYS and the daily after-match gatherings were very well attended. Celia Carson, PRO, and the RNZYS and CYANZ race management team ran a very good regatta. Thank you Perpetual Guardian for your support of New Zealand’s classic yachting and the marvellous legacy of New Zealand’s yachting heritage.
