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Summer tournament week is the week of Regional Teams Race Sailing ranking regattas for College sailing ahead of the April Holiday’s and Nationals. The first to get under way this week is the Auckland Cup Regatta.
With a big increase in participation by Auckland Schools the Auckland Cup – Teams Racing Regatta, is now a two tiered event. The Gold fleet have completed the first day of Sailing from Bucklands Beach Yacht Club and it is a couple of lesser ranked sides that are the shining the stars.
Light breeze, and a delayed start to the day but a lovely 3-6 knots of breeze from the east settled in and some fantastic conditions for teams racing on the waters of the Tamaki Estuary followed.
Last year’s Silver Fleet sides at nationals, Macleans and Glendowie lead on six wins a piece from the first round robin. Both sides look to have benefited from winter training and lead the pack against seasoned National Gold Fleet sides. Westlake Boys and Auckland Grammar each share 4 wins and are third and fourth overall.
It was a day of intense, exciting racing with some outstanding sailing, where boat handling and tactical prowess shone through. Tam Lindsay (Macleans) and Will McKenzie (Glendowie) were towers of strength and tactical vision for their sides.
The fleet head to quarter finals tomorrow. In a first to three win sail off series of Quarter, Semi and Finals
The silver fleet of six new schools and development sides of the stronger schools start sailing on Wednesday at Bucklands Beach.
Thursday see’s the Central North Island and Northern North Island regatta commence.
