OKI 24 Hour Race Sets Sail Next week

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OKI 24 Hour Race Sets Sail Next week

One of New Zealand’s most unique yachting events – the OKI 24 Hour Race - is set to take centre stage next weekend [17-18 March 2007], at Auckland’s Lake Pupuke.

Run by the Murrays Bay Sailing Club (MBSC), the OKI 24 Hour Race requires competing teams to sail non-stop in rotating shifts for a period of 24 hours in laser class boats.

Murrays Bay Sailing Club Vice Commodore, Owen Rutter, said while the race is a serious endurance event, it is also a lot of fun for both participants and spectators.

“The Race gets underway with competitors running down the banks of Lake Pupuke in a Le Mans style start and then jumping into their boats,” Owen said.

“Under the Race rules, each team member can sail for a maximum of three hours before they are required to rest for a minimum of one hour.

“Crew members embark and disembark from their yachts from a pontoon positioned on the lake – it can result in some great thrills and spills for weary competitors. Ultimately, the winning team is the one that completes the most number of laps within the 24-hour period.”

Owen said the event attracts a wide variety of entrants, who are split into four categories - Open Class, Youth (under 19 years) , Women’s and Masters (over 35 years).

“Forty crews enter the OKI 24 Hour Race which comprises two competitors per boat, except for the Masters and Women’s divisions where they can have three team members.”

“Each team provides their own boat which is then aligned with a sponsor.”

Owen said funds raised from the event, which has been running since the 1960s, are used by the Murray’s Bay Sailing Club for youth coaching.

“The Race is for a great cause – up-and-coming young talent - and we have had excellent support from a wide range of organisations and the local community.

“This year’s race will feature some top names including ‘Splash’World Champion Blair Tuke, 420 class women's World Champion Jo Aleh, National Laser Radial Champion Miranda Powrie, and OKI 24 Hour race Youth Champions 2005 and 2006, Max and Lloyd Andrews.”

Owen said race day is also likely to feature some more local stars and famous sailors, who will crew a ‘24-Hour Legends’ boat.

“In the past the ‘24-Hour Legends’ boat has been crewed by previous winners of the Race, top New Zealand sailors including America’s Cup Helmsman Dean Barker, and ‘up and coming’ Murray’s Bay Sailing Club P and Starling class sailors.

“It’s always been a fantastic event and we look forward to another great race this year.”

The OKI 24-Hour race kicks off at Lake Pupuke on 17 March 2007 at 2pm. The race will conclude on Sunday 18 March at 1pm (Daylight saving concludes during the race).

ENDS

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