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The Sir Peter Blake Regatta once again underlined its status as the largest youth centreboard sailing regatta in the Southern Hemisphere this past weekend - and one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the New Zealand sailing calendar.
A total of 352 sailors raced 327 boats across 15 fleets off Torbay, representing 32 sailing clubs - including competitors from Singapore and New Caledonia. The sheer scale of the operation highlights why the event has become a December institution: 35 race-official boats and around 40 coach and supporter boats were launched to manage four race courses.
More than 150 volunteers powered the regatta - around 90 on the water and 60 onshore - keeping sailors and supporters fuelled with over 1,200 sausages, 40 kilograms of bacon, and 2,100 slices of bread.
Torbay Sailing Club commodore Stephen Knights said the regatta's enduring popularity is no accident.
"It has been going for 23 years, and is always held the first weekend of December, which means there is a consistency of dates," Knights explained.
The balance of competition and enjoyment is also key: podium winners receive medals and a unique Blake regatta hat, but some of the biggest prizes - including valuable kit bags and goodie packs - are awarded for sportsmanship, effort, and fair play, such as remembering to do penalty turns.
"That spirit is illustrated by the fact that the green and white fleets use inflatable flamingos, unicorns, and peacocks as race marks - hardly intimidating for first-time competitors," Knights said.
Louis Quere and Nelsen Meacham were awarded the Sir Peter Blake Trophy on Sunday. Photos / Insight Media
Beneath the fun, however, lies serious talent, with future world champions and Olympians honing their skills. Among standout results, Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club's Marcus Daum and Murrays Bay Sailing Club's Aurora Edhouse topped the Optimist open fleet. Callum Hyde and Charlotte Handley delivered a Murrays Bay one-two in the Starling class, while Tom Pilkington (Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron) prevailed in the ILCA 6. In the O’pen Skiff gold fleet, Manly Sailing Club’s Max Jameson and Napier Sailing Club's Mei Whitehead impressed.
Nelsen Meacham (Wakatere Boating Club) and Louis Quere (Royal Akarana Yacht Club) dominated the 29er class, their commanding performance earning them one of youth sailing's most prestigious honours: the Sir Peter Blake Trophy, awarded not only for results but also for leadership and competitive spirit. Past winners include Jo Aleh, Peter Burling, and Sam Meech.
Long-serving beachmaster and former Whitbread Round the World Race sailor Graham Fleury received the Peter Montgomery Trophy for his outstanding contribution to sailing.
"I can say with reasonable confidence that in that prizegiving tent on Sunday were some of the New Zealand Olympians of 2040 and the SailGP stars of the future," Knights said.
He also paid tribute to the volunteer army behind the scenes.
"Thank you to the amazing Torbay team and all of the volunteers who make the Sir Peter Blake Torbay Regatta the world-class event it is."
Full results here.
