An impressive fleet of tugboats and classic launches put on an exciting show for the crowds of spectators gathered on the Westhaven breakwater to watch racing in the 185th Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta on Sunday - and while the windy conditions prevented many of the classic yachts and keelers from taking part, there was still plenty to enjoy throughout the City of Sails.
Among the stars of the day were the Waka Ama fleet who bravely paddled against the strong winds from Orakei to Westhaven to start their race, with all ages from teenagers to those in their 70s represented among the crews. In the Viaduct Harbour, scores of colourful crews fiercely contested the Dragon Boat racing, much to the delight of onlookers around the shore. Meanwhile in St Mary’s Bay, the smallest boats in the regatta – the Electron and IOM class radio-controlled yachts – put on a similarly impressive show for passers-by on the Westhaven Promenade.

Colourful crews fiercely contested the Dragon Boat racing. Photos / Live Sail Die
Murrays Bay Sailing Club hosted huge fleets of young Optimist and Starling sailors, braving blustery conditions to battle it out for their Auckland championships, while at Kohimarama Yacht Club, the 29er, 420 and 470 class associations held their Auckland championships too.
Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club, Manly Sailing Club and Takapuna Boating Club also hosted centreboard racing, making this one of the world’s biggest single-day regattas by participant numbers.
The regatta also opened the six-week Moana Auckland festival, beginning with an opening ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, with the kind support of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, as event partners to Moana Auckland.