Media Release 29 January 2012

Flying Cats, Water Dragons, Waka and a beautiful Pea-Green Boat Assemble for Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta on Monday

Under the gaze of HMNZS Otago, flagship for the Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, hundreds of different sailing craft will be out on the Waitemata Harbour tomorrow (Monday, January 30) for a day of sailing, fun and spectacle for all on land – and sea.

With excellent vantage points around the viaduct, Princes or Queen’s Wharf and harbourside points, Auckland’s unique maritime culture will be alive in a display of beauty, design, function, craft and innovation driven by engine, paddle and sail power.

Along with an armada of busy “Little Toot” tugs, including the pea-green boat, thrashing the waters, over 30 elegant classic sailboats, restored to their original glory, tall ships, dinghy sailors, speedsters and keelers will be on the water, as well as a flotilla of waka, dragon boats and a likely appearance by the fastest cats on the water.

Emirates Team New Zealand will be out in the Black Boat flying through its paces around the course and while there is definitely no cat fight on the calendar until the next America’s Cup, Team Prada’s prototype catamaran, Luna Rossa, is also being tested on the Waitemata and may come out to play.

Raw energy and determination from 300 dragon boat paddlers from 24 competing teams will take over the waters of the viaduct harbour with a terrific spectacle as the elaborately decorated and noisy water dragon welcomes in the Chinese Year of the Dragon while the skies above will roar with aerobatic displays from the Red Checkers starting at noon too followed by the Warbirds.

“The Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta is the oldest sporting event in the country and we can have pride that it is an event that is open to all sailors from the world class racer to the sea scout and youngster messing around in their first little sailboat,” says Eric Mahoney, chairman of the committee of volunteers who have organised the 172nd annual regatta with the generous help of a family of sponsors. Oceanbridge Shipping Limited is the lead sponsor with Auckland Council, Ports of Auckland Limited, Classic Hits 97.4FM, Lion Foundation, the Spirit of Adventure Trust and Southern Trust as well as the support of the Royal New Zealand Navy.

“It’s a day of superstars and next to be famous on the water, and while the racing is serious fun, seeing our maritime and sailing skills in action is a cause for pride and confidence as it shows Auckland as a centre of excellence with a brilliant future as we carry on the tradition of innovation and quality in design, craftsmanship, technology and marriage of form and function with superb seamanship.

While racing starts on Monday morning from 9:00am when the tugs leave the viaduct, the classic yacht fleet will be moored in the Viaduct on Sunday evening, January 29, and lit up. The sailing boat races start at 11:00am with starts every five minutes.

PROGRAMME
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
30 January 2012

Sunday 29 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 30 January 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.
11.30am Fire fighting display off the Viaduct followed by a Parade through the Viaduct.

11.00am: First Start off Princes Wharf
Races start off Princes Wharf, downtown Auckland at 5 minute intervals from 11.00am
11:05am Flying cats
11.30am: Division One Keelers
11.35am: A Classic and A Modern Classic Divisions
11.40am: B Classic and B Modern Classic Divisions
11.55am: Tall Ships and Waka
Noon: 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
Noon-12.30pm
Red Checkers daring aerobatics display followed by the historic HARVARDS formation aerobatics

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

Other events to watch out for:
9:00am Dragon Boats from Waitemata Plaza, Customs St West, Auckland Viaduct.
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 and Nautic 12 fleets – Wattle Farm, Manurewa

From 10.00am: Centreboard Classes
9.45am: Narrowneck Beach (Sea Scouts)
10.00am: Maraetai Sailing Club (Starling NI Championships)
Wakatere Boating Club (Sunburst Nationals and Hobie 16’s)
11.00am: Kohimarama Yacht Club, Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club
12.30pm: Tamaki Yacht Club

12.30pm: First boats expected at Princes Wharf
From Mahurangi and Rakino Island: featuring Keelboats and Trailer Yachts

ENDS

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