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This weekend's 24-Hour Endurance Yacht Race to be staged on Wellington Harbour has attracted the biggest fleet since it was first sailed in 2017.
It 's not typically the out-and-out racing machines that sail this race, rather it attracts cruising yachts, keelboats and even some trailer yachts. As many as 16 boats have already entered this year with late entries still accepted.
The 24-Hour Endurance Yacht Race is for skippers and crew who would love to engage in coastal or ocean racing, and they use the event to get experience on things like navigation (also at night), running a watch system, cooking and sleeping while doing it in the relatively safe environment of Wellington Harbour.
Entries have varied from 53-footers to 20-foot trailer yachts and they all have an equal chance to win the Gibson Sheat Cup, the trophy for the longest distance on handicap. It's open to all keelboats (cat 5 and above) and trailer yachts over 20 feet in length.
Last year, Footprint was 12th on line but claimed the overall title after sailing a total of 161.55 nautical miles on corrected distance around the 12-mile circuit.
A minimum of four crew, including skipper, is required on each yacht with at least two crew on deck at all times.
Hosted by the Lowry Bay Yacht Club, This weekend's race starts at 11am on Saturday and the start line is Rona Bay Wharf, Eastbourne.
MP Chris Bishop will fire the start gun, when a large flock of homing pigeons will also be released along with environmentally-friendly helium-filled balloons. There will also be live music and a sausage sizzle.
