Issue date
While some of New Zealand’s best Access Liberty and SKUD 18 class sailors were in the thick of intense racing at Oceanbridge Sail Auckland, a group of Access 303 sailors were racing in a slightly lower key event: the Waitara Boating Club’s Annual Regatta.
Both of the NZ Access Class Association’s AMP Access 303’s sailed five races over February 2nd and 3rd on the Waitara River, with Sailability Taranaki members Chelsea Jo Lacey and Kristie Fairhurst sailing in the Open ‘B’ fleet. Chelsea’s recent practice and experience paid off, as she won every race.
Fourty boats took part in this regatta, one that not only has one design for the Starlings and Optis, but also Open fleets that are mixed for the Lasers, OK Dinghy, Laser Radial, Lazy E and Access.
Next year, it is hoped that there will be a significantly larger Access contingency at this regatta, as Sailability Taranaki has just taken delivery of their very own four Access 303’s, thanks to TSB Community Trust and Taranaki Electricity Trust each of which have donated funds for two boats.
Sailability Taranaki, which is based at the Waitara Boating Club, plans to implement a full learn to sail and learn to race programme between now and the 2014 regatta.
View photos from the Waitara Regatta
For more information on Sailability Taranaki, contact Dave Allerton (06) 752 3657 or djallerton@xnet.co.nz
