Issue date
We have a busy 3 months coming up for the MRX Fleet.
Along with our regular harbour, sprint and rum racing we have:
CBRE Corporate Business House Series – 12th, 19th, 26th February and 12th March
CBRE are the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm. They are sponsoring a Tuesday night business house series which they intend to become an annual competition where company teams compete over 4 weeks for the CBRE Challenge Cup
MRX National Championships – 23rd & 24th February
After last years excellent turnout and closely fought contest in which Pete Waters crew narrowly defeated Sam Osbourne and Scott Illingworth’s teams we expect a good battle this year. 6 or 7 crews have been competing regularly in our Monday night sprints so we should be in for some exciting racing.
NZ Open Keel Boat Championships – 8th to 10th March
Last year Will Tiller’s crew sailed a stand out series. This year he will no doubt be on his Extreme 40 campaign but with so many top sailors in town at present we expect a strong fleet like last year. Teams wanting to prepare for this event are being encouraged to participate in our Monday night sprint series
The Pacific Keel Boat Challenge / Auckland Regatta – 22nd to 24th March
This year we have four overseas entries to spice up the racing. They are from the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, Sandringham Yacht Club and Le Cercle Nautique Caledonien.
Together with six NZ crews they will compete for the Pacific Keel Boat Challenge trophy – a model Waka Tua or Maori war canoe. Last year the overseas crews had a ball.
Patent World Cup – 4th to 6th April
Each year crews of Patent Attorneys from around the world compete in a sailing regatta in a different country. This year it is NZs turn. At this stage we have 7 crews from USA, UK, Germany, Australia and NZ here for this 3 day regatta. The MRX Fleet will provide them with a rare opportunity to experience racing in a perfectly matched fleet.
Baltic Life Jackets NZ Women’s Keel Boat Championships - 28th & 29th April
Hopefully the weather will be kinder for us this year. Last year it gusted to 35knots on the Saturday and was then just 0 to 10 on Sunday. The girls handled the boats well. This year should be interesting with our Olympic sailors back in the country and other top crews coming out of hibernation.
Plumbing Industry Charitable Trust Regatta – 10th October
Back again after a great event last year we are pleased to support this worthy event on behalf of: The Foundation for Youth Development – whose goal is to improve young NZers well being, The Parenting Place – whose goal is to improve parenting skills and hence families, The Stellar Trust – whose goal is to eradicate the drug “P” and Whats Up – who provides a free phone counselling service for young NZers.
MRX Sailors Excel
Laurie Jury and Phil Robertson have maintained their high rankings on the World Match Racing Circuit and are currently ranked 6th and 8th respectively.
And Phil Douglas was Dan Slater’s coach for the London Olympics.
And our Olympic Women’s 470 Gold Medalists, Jo Aleh & Olivia Powrie have been taking part in the MRX Women’s Racing.
And not to be missed - Make an entry in your diary: The
2013 NZ Marine Industry Sailing Challenge is scheduled for Thursday 18th April.
