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For Milford Cruising Club, the recently concluded A-Class and Tornado national championships provided more than just an opportunity to showcase the club's prime location and shake off the cobwebs after several years without hosting a major regatta.
It was also a valuable dress rehearsal for an even bigger test in just over seven months.
According to club commodore Andrew Robertson, the success of the regatta, held from 20 to 23 February, was largely due to the hard work of the MCC, the New Zealand A Class association, and the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club, as well as an incredible team of volunteers.
"It’s been a long time between drinks for the club to host a regatta of any type, so when we were approached by the NZ A-Class association and the Multihull Yacht Club, I had some trepidation. Whilst the club has a great spot on the foreshore reserve to hold these types of events, the course was proposed over the Hauraki Gulf cable protection area, so positive engagement and support from the council, Spark and Maritime NZ was critical. The club also has limited on-water assets and experience in organising these types of events," he said.
"A lot of work went in from all three organisations, but what really pulled the event together was the on- and off-water volunteers, including the race officers, the support from other clubs to utilise their RIBs, and the Tornado and A Class sailors themselves."
Competitors were treated to some top-end conditions during the 2025 A-Class and Tornado national championships at Milford Cruising Club. Photos / Phil@madabouttravel and justinmitchell.co.nz
Day one of the regatta saw the first two races for the A-Class in a late-building breeze, while the Tornados rigged and came out for a practice session.
This was followed by a strengthening south-westerly breeze, peaking in the afternoon with squalls. Four races were sailed, with the final race taking place in top-end conditions and a thinned-out fleet, resulting in some spectacular pitchpoles and a few repairs.
"That evening, the sailors and volunteers could relax with a bit of live music and good food, while some had repairs to do," Robertson said.
"This was also a great opportunity for club members to mingle with the sailors."
On day three, competitors were treated to a breeze in the high teens and a solid sea state that rewarded good boat handling and decision-making, before the regatta wrapped up with two races on the final day in more favourable conditions.
Winston Ordish-Benner and Shanae Ahern from Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club were crowned 2025 Tornado national champions, while Dave Shaw (Nelson Yacht Club) claimed the A Class open title, and Pat Ashby (Wakatere Boating Club) won the A Class classic division.
The club's attention now turns to the A-Class world championships from 12 to 16 November.
"It was a great event and went better than hoped, but it really was also an opportunity to teach us what we didn’t know," said Robertson. "A lot was learnt, and these lessons will be taken forward as we prepare for the worlds in November.
"A huge thanks to race officers Megan [Kensington] and Paula [Satterthwaite], the amazing volunteers on the RIBs, Adrian [Percival] from the Multihull Yacht Club for the palatial committee boat, and the onshore volunteers who kept the sailors rolling through the races—particularly MCC club manager Christine [Robertson]."
