More than Messing About in Boats

Media Release
21 January 2010

More than Messing About in Boats

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Auckland’s maritime history will come alive on the Waitemata Harbour on Monday, 1 February with a fleet of vintage, classic and modern please, racing and work boats vying for line honours in the 170th Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta.

Tall ships, gaff riggers, sloops, racing keelers, sailing dinghies, radio controlled boats, elegant classic yachts and grunty tugboats, all under the gaze of the flagship, the navy frigate HMNZS Te Mana, will be out on the water competing in a full day of racing and displays.

Entries are now open till January 27 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.

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Among the contenders in the classic yacht division will be Jason Prew who owns two classics and is looking after another two as he continues his love affair with these beautiful craft.

“I love the look of the classic and the way they sail,” says Jason who manages a computer store in Newmarket when he is not restoring his boats. “They sit low in the water, look so nice under sail and cut through the water instead of skimming across like a modern boat.”

He will be racing restored beauty, Rawene, competing against some of Auckland’s legendary racing yachts for line honours on the Waitemata Harbour including Thelma, Rainbow, Ranger, Gloriana, Tawera and Little Jim. Many of these beautiful vessels will be lit on Sunday evening at their moorings in Viaduct Harbour. Two Australian classic yachts, Wraith of Odin and Fair Winds, will also race in the 170th 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.

It will be a real family affair for the seafaring Thompson clan, headed by Jimmy Thompson, founder of Thompson Towing, who is described by son, Mike “as mental about tugs”. The extended family includes members of the legendary Lidgard Bros boatbuilding family and the Browns, well known as coastal tugboat and tender skippers.

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Three generations will be racing in the tug and workboat race with the Thompsons entering three of the five tugs they own.

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 the best fleet yet with hard competition and a feast for the eyes,”says tugboat race organiser, Baden Pascoe.

The Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Mana is the regatta flagship for the day to provide additional pomp and spectacle to 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.

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 race start line off the end of Princess Wharf enabling spectators on shore to get up close to the action. There will be excellent vantage points around the harbour shoreline and North Head, Bastion Point and Orakei.

Onshore, there will be a lively programme of entertainment all weekend including 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)

Programme for Oceanbridge Anniversary Day Regatta 1 February 2010

Sunday 31 January
Viaduct Harbour
A rare opportunity to see our wonderful fleet of heritage vessels up close as they berth in the Viaduct Harbour from late afternoon until Monday morning.
A European flavour will prevail with the vessels being lit up Mediterranean style

Monday 1 February 9.00am: Tugboat Parade
Tugboats young and old will gather at the entrance to the Viaduct Harbour and parade up to their start line off North Head.

10.00am: Tugboat Race off North Head
Watch this amazing display of manoeuvrability and speed as these wonderful craft roar up the channel, round Narrow Neck Buoy and return to finish off Devonport Wharf - best vantage points are North Head, East Coast Bays beaches, Devonport and Devonport Wharf

11.00am: First Start off Princes Wharf
Races start off Princes Wharf, Downtown Auckland at 5 minute intervals from 11.00am.
11.30am: Tugboat display, parade through the ages and berthage for inspection Viaduct Harbour
11.35 & 11.45am: Classic division starts
11.55am: Tall Ships and Waka start
12.00noon: Harbour Blast starts off Orakei Wharf
See some of the fastest boats on the water 'blast' off in a vision of colour and speed as they head off around the harbour

Best spectator vantage points are Bastion Point, North Head, East Coast Bays, Tamaki Drive, Orakei and Princes Wharves.

Other events to watch out for:
10.00am: Radio Controlled Yachts
Be sure to see this amazing display of yachting skill 'America's Cup' style, controlled from the land

Electrons - Marine Association Pontoon, Westhaven Marina
International One Metre's - Viaduct Harbour
Nautic 12's - Smales Quarry.

From 10.00am: Centreboard Classes
9.45am: Narrowneck Beach
11.00am: Kohimarama Yacht Club, Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club, Takapuna Boating Club
12.30pm: Tamaki Yacht Club

12.30pm: First boats expected at Princes Wharf from:
The Islands of the Hauraki Gulf: Mahurangi, Kawau and Rakino Islands.
Featuring Keelboats, Multihulls and Trailer Yachts

ENDS

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