Registration 21 January 2014. Racing 22, 23, 24 January 2014
The CRC Bay of Islands Sailing Week is one of New Zealand's most popular yachting events. The regatta is open to keelers, multi-hulls, trailer sailers, sports and open keelboats, with competitive racing over three days. Courses are designed to suit the various divisions with a range of windward/leeward triangle races & bay races that use the many natural obstacles in the Bay of Islands. Cruising yachts and crews are encouraged to join the competition in the passage divisions sailing one bay race a day. Every year hundreds of competitors, family and friends come together to enjoy an amazing array of course options amongst some of the most beautiful sailing waters New Zealand has to offer.
Regatta Wrap Up And so another successful Bay Regatta was enjoyed by all in the beautiful Bay of Islands. Seventy boats registered and seventy crews just had too much fun ... a big thank you to the competitors from the Committee, the Sponsors and the Volunteers.
The racing was pretty darned good with two days of light to medium strength winds – then 20-25 knot winds on day three – yep – ‘gusting to 30’ as registered by one of the boats.
Prizegiving was a hoot as usual with almost all of the crews present. Peter Montgomery and his able assistant Jim Farmer kept the ball rolling, with happy smiling winners accepting the Romeyn Woodcraft designer rimu plaques.
There are tons of pictures to view on the Bay of Islands Sailing Week and on Ocean Photography websites. Not to forget the superb videos from Will Calver.
Will Calver Ocean Photography
A special thanks to Jane and the team at Opua Marina for finding berths for visiting boats. It’s not easy finding seventy berths during peak season, marinas just don’t grow on trees. Opua Marina’s contribution is to support yachting, and they do a great job. Perhaps in the future the earlier you book the better – but do remember that there is a free shuttle for boats anchored out.
The calibre of racing was fantastic in 2013, with many divisions relying on the last race to determine the winner. It’s time to start planning 2014 -boat deliveries/crew/accommodation /marina berths.
Come on – let’s get started ...
Will Calver Ocean Photography
