January 2008

Classic Day of Racing for Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta

The Waitemata Harbour will host an armada of vintage, classic and modern day pleasure, racing and work vessels on Monday, January 28 in New Zealand’s oldest sporting event, the Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta.

First held 168 years ago as part of Auckland’s birthday celebrations, the regatta is believed to be one of the biggest one day regattas in the world, attracting hundreds of sailors from America’s Cup professionals, young and keen centreboarders to hardy tugboat veterans who will be competing in different classes for cash prizes, certificates and magnificent, century old silver trophies.

Auckland’s maritime heritage and history will be on display, starting with a Parade of Sail through the ages. The fleet leaves at 9:00 am from Viaduct Harbour led by a flotilla of vintage tugboats and workboats, tall ship and classic yachts, including the recently restored Thelma, first launched in 1897 and back home after 70 years in the Mediterranean.

“It’ll be a terrific spectacle and a rare opportunity to see these craft racing in their different classes, all under the watchful gaze of our flagship, HMNZS Te Kaha , which will host Regatta Patron, the Governor General, the Mayor of Auckland and other city civic and business leaders,” said Regatta Organising Committee Chairman, Eric Henry. “Entries are open and we expect to have a contingent of up to 30 tugboats racing, including the big grunters from Ports of Auckland pitching their power and speed against the smaller but highly manoeuvrable and beautifully engineered tugboats of yesteryear.”

The 2008 Regatta is made possible by the generous support of local shipping and freight company, Oceanbridge Shipping, who as naming rights sponsor heads a family of sponsors including the Royal New Zealand Navy, which provides the Regatta flagship, Auckland City Council, Ports of Auckland Limited, Classic Hits 97.4FM, Lion Foundation and the Spirit of Adventure Trust.

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

Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta Programme

9.00am: Parade of Sail Recapturing the glory and spectacle of bygone years our yachting heritage sets the scene with a Parade of Sail of a fleet of beautiful classic yachts and launches, tugboats and Tall Ships departing from the Viaduct Harbour up to the race start line off Orakei Wharf.

10.00am: Tugboat Race off North Head Watch this amazing display of manoeuvrability and speed as these wonderful craft roar up the channel - best vantage points are North Head or East Coast Bays beaches

11.00am: First Start off Orakei Wharf Races start off Orakei Wharf, Tamaki Drive (by Kelly Tarlton's) with keel boats first up

11.55am: The Harbour Blast 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

10.00am: Radio Controlled Yachts Electrons - Marine Association Pontoon, Westhaven Marina International One Metre Class - Viaduct Harbour Nautic 12 - Viaduct Harbour

From 11.00am: Centreboard Classes Kohimarama Yacht Club, Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club and 12.30pm from Tamaki Yacht Club Classic Dinghy Regatta: Takapuna's historic Bayswater Clubhouse - bring your family and a picnic and watch these classics from the Reserve

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

Best Vantage Points Spectators will be able to view the historic craft at Viaduct Harbour, where there will be a range of family fun activities and living history on display, or catch the excitement of the race from vantage points at Bastion Point, North Head, Tamaki Drive, Orakei Wharf, or East Coast Bays.

ENDS

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