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Auckland Anniversary Day regatta

Win sailing adventure at Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta

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One young sailor will win the experience of a lifetime at the 2019 Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, thanks to event sponsor Spirit of Adventure Trust.

The major spot prize worth $3500 - a 10-day voyage aboard the tall ship Spirit of New Zealand - must be won by a sailor aged between 16 and 18 years of age when they take part in the regatta on Anniversary Day - January 28, 2019.

The young winner will embark on a life-changing voyage, along with 39 other young people from all over New Zealand, as part of the world-renowned Spirit of Adventure Trust youth development programme.

The Spirit of Adventure Trust is a not-for-profit organisation empowering young New Zealanders to reach their full potential through the challenge of the sea. The 10-day development voyage promises to leave the young prize winner with a whole new set of skills, lots of new friends and a new confidence to take on the challenges in life.

Hundreds of youth sailors are expected to take part in the Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, with centreboard and keelboat sailing events taking place across the city on Anniversary Day.

The biggest fleets of youth sailors are expected at Maraetai Sailing Club, where the Auckland Championships for Optimist, Starling, 29er, 420 and RS Feva classes will take place over anniversary weekend, attracting an expected 350 young sailors. Further centreboard events will take place at Takapuna Boating Club, Tamaki Yacht Club and Wakatere Boating Club at Narrow Neck Beach.

Youth sailors taking part in the Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta, who are aged between 16 and 18 years of age, can enter the Spirit of Adventure competition online via the regatta website www.regatta.org.nz/spirit. Entrants must say in just a few words why they feel they deserve to win the prize.

The winner will be announced at the regatta prizegiving ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, on Tuesday, February 19, and must be present to claim their prize.

A host of other great spot prizes are also up for grabs, including a holiday in Hawaii courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines, The Equus Hotel Waikiki and Hawaii Tourism. There’s also a Phoenix Kayak, Boating New Zealand subscriptions and experiences from Auckland Bungy and Bridge Climb, Snow Planet, Explore, The Riverhead Tavern, Treasure Island Adventure Golf, Escape Masters, The Red Boats and Butterfly Creek to be won.

The Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta is one of the world’s biggest one-day sailing regattas, with a history dating back to the founding of the City of Auckland in 1840. Entries for the classic yacht and launch races, tugboat race and passage races are open now on the regatta website.

Centreboard sailors can enter the regatta via their respective host club - details can also be found on the regatta website www.regatta.org.nz.