Issue date
Let’s start with the day’s weather forecast from Mike Quilter, international navigator: a light SE 10 – 15 knots to form in the morning, variable during the day predicted to decrease during the afternoon, breeze gradually shifting to ESE with more outside the bay. Pretty much on target overall.
It was a beautiful day in the bay. We started with the laying of buoys, Terry Pratley’s very efficient RIB doing her share.
Race 1 - A Division – Tornados and B Division A Division yachts sailed close and fast to the Start boat to “ping” positions (GPS Coordinates) - and then it was ‘GO’. Mayhem was first across the start line followed closely by Kia Kaha, Wired and V5. At the bottom mark, Viento then Temptation were leading, followed by a tight bunch, Kia Kaha, V5 and Wired. The grand finale at the finish line showed Mayhem first, then Georgia and Viento. All the yachts sailed well – these guys are serious…..
The Tornados (6.09 metres) also had a clear start, led by Feisty Feline, followed closely by Aon Racing. These smaller boats are fast. A change at the bottom mark showed Popeye leading, then Arriba and Relentless. Popeye held and increased her lead to the finish - Arriba holding on to second place, Relentless third.
B Division had a ‘General Recall’ with three boats over at the start. The restart was definitely clear and they were off; Carrera leading the way, with tight groupings all through the fleet. She led the way and carried the position to finish first across the finish line. Lawless was hot on her heels at the end for a very close second. Icebreaker let the next tight competitive group to take third place.
Race 2 - C Division – Young 88 – Sport Boats – E Division C Division saw Tongue Twister first across the start line ‘by a country mile’, as they say in land based competition. Titan second and Physical Favours in third place making Bay of Island based boats the leaders. Well they should know their way by now……..
The Young 88 Division start was led by Slipstream, Heaven and Hell a close second off the mark.
Sports Boats started with Animal Biscuits leading the group and Orange Peeler hot on her heels, more Bay boats in action.
E Division had Strathspey showing the way and Rawhide in fast pursuit, with the rest of the fleet close in behind.
There were numerous races today with very competitive starts and close finishes - more tomorrow. Please feel free to go to the Bay of Islands Sailing Week Website for the day’s results. www.bayofislandssailingweek.org.nz
Some light hearted statistics to finish the day:
Wetherley carried the oldest (most mature) sailor in the fleet with the youngest potential yachty on the same boat: Peter Barton (80 years) and Thorston Reynold (18 months) Kia Kaha enjoyed Rebecca Gmer-Hornell as the youngest and prettiest ‘bowman’ aged all of 15 years We’re racing again Thursday and Friday.
Manuela Gmuer-Hornell / 021 44 55 29 / manuela.gmuer@gmail.com Lesley Haslar / media@bayofislandssailingweek.org.nz / 0274 598 230
