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The classic yacht Ranger will take part in next year's Farmer Autovillage Auckland to Tauranga Centennial Yacht Race along with the centennial celebrations that follow.
Built in 1938, Ranger won the A2T race in 1939 on line and was third on handicap so is no stranger to Tauranga.
The boat totally dominated all Auckland A Class yacht racing from 1938 to the late 1960s, forcing contenders for top yacht honours to get better and better.
It's also credited with breeding a crop of successful Kiwi sailors, many of whom have made it to the pinnacle of world yacht racing. Yachtsman like Chris Bouzaid, Sir Peter Blake, Chris Dickson, Sir Russell Coutts and many more trace Ranger – and original owner/skipper Lou Tercel’s dedication to winning yacht races – somewhere on their path to international yachting success.
These classic yachts and launches represent the very best of New Zealand’s boat building skills of yesteryear and will be a thrill to view during the A2T race and the celebrations that follow over Easter of 2021.
Fleet 1 - the classic fleet of vintage yachts and launches representing the 100 years of sailing at the Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club) will start at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron at 9am on March 26, 2021, and cruise/rally to Tauranga over the weekend.
Fleet 2 will be for modern yachts, keelers and multihulls and Ranger. It will start at the RNZYS at 9am on March 27, ending as usual at A Beacon outside Tauranga harbour entrance.
The race record is held by the maxi Zana in a time of 9hrs 35mins 01secs with the multihull record held by Sundreamer in 9.55.23. The very fast Orma 60 tri Vodafone/Frank Racing owned by Simon Hull tried several times to take this record but the weather never played ball and she never quite managed to do so.
It is unfortunate this historic coastal race will clash with the Auckland Regatta planned for the same weekend, but appeals for those looking for a coastal race that is challenging and rewarding, with an outstanding destination.
It is also on the weekend after the final race of the America's Cup and the weekend before Easter.
For more information, including a copy of the notice of race, email office@yacht.org.nz or r.rushton@xtra.co.nz.
Anyone interested in joining the event's team of sponsors should also make contact with the club.
- Photo: luvmyboat.com
