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The social element is one of the highlights but the racing is also serious in the annual Wine Race from Marlborough to Wellington and this year's event is expected to be one of the biggest ever.
The Wine Race is the biggest off-shore race outside of Auckland, with 45 boats and 260 sailors involved last year, and sees competing boats race with a locked box containing a Marlborough wine label. Once in Wellington, the winning wine label is announced at a social function.
This year's race will depart from the Waikawa Boating Club on December 1. In previous years, each boat carried a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc but, due to increasing numbers of entries, other wine variaties from Marlborough vinyards will be entered.
The Wine Race was first held in 2001 and is modelled on a race from France to England. This year's edition will be held on Friday, December 1 - hopefully the weather this year is a little warmer and dryer.
Yachts require a category 3 safety certificate to be eligible to enter. Yachts and crews wanting to register to take part in the race can email office@waikawaboatingclub.co.nz for more information.
