Issue date
The start of the New Zealand youth championships has been postponed to Sunday and the regatta moved to Murrays Bay Sailing Club, following the closure of beaches due to wastewater flowing into the Waitematā Harbour.
A total of 25 Auckland city beaches have been blackpinned after a main sewer line collapsed yesterday.
It includes at Royal Akarana Yacht Club, where the four-day NZ youth championship was due to start tomorrow (Friday, September 29).
Murrays Bay Sailing Club will now host the regatta on Sunday and Monday.
Yachting New Zealand’s Youth and Events Manager Sam Mackay said the decision was taken following consultation with Watercare on Thursday.
“To ensure the health and wellbeing of competitors and support staff - and in consideration of the unfavourable forecast for Friday and Saturday - we will be postponing the start of the regatta with the first race now on Sunday,” Mackay said.
“Due to the sewage spill, the racing on Sunday and Monday will be held from Murrays Bay Sailing Club. We will be endeavouring to complete as much of the series as possible over these two days.”
The start time for racing will be confirmed as soon as possible, but registration and measuring will still take place, as originally planned, at RAYC between 12pm and 4 pm today (Thursday, September 28).
“Boats can be delivered to Murrays Bay on Saturday afternoon and details will follow on storage,” Mackay said.
“We appreciate everyone’s understanding as we navigate these tricky circumstances.”
Several Auckland beaches have been marked as unsafe following the collapse of a main Auckland sewer line, leading to wastewater flowing into the Waitematā Harbour. Photos: Safeswim, Watercare
According to Watercare, at least three locations have been identified where wastewater is flowing into the harbour in what it describes as “a large overflow”.
“We are continuing to urge all Aucklanders to avoid swimming, fishing and recreational activities in the Waitematā Harbour.
“Black water quality pins have been put up on the Safeswim website and are likely to stay in place for at least another 10 days, when we hope to have the bypass solution in place.”
The 2023 New Zealand Youth Championships will once again be a selection trial for the New Zealand youth sailing team and is open to all youth classes.
The winner of each youth class will be put forward for nomination to be considered by the New Zealand selectors for the youth worlds, which will be held in the coastal resort town of Armação dos Búzios, Brazil from 8 to 16 December.
For more information and updates, visit Watercare’s website here or the Safeswim website here.
