Javelins ready to fly

Yachting - NZ Dinghy and Javelin Champs - Kaiti Beach

Pieces of the puzzle are clicking into place for organisers of the 100th edition of New Zealand’s oldest sailing trophy event, which starts in Gisborne tomorrow.

Gisborne Yacht Club is hosting the 2024 Sunshine Brewery Sanders Cup and Javelin National Champs.

The interprovincial challenge has drawn entries from Wellington, Manawatu, the Bay of Islands, North Harbour, East Coast, Canterbury, Manukau-Counties and the Bay of Plenty.

The first race is due to start at 2pm tomorrow. It is the Kingham Trophy invitation race, which is part of the Sanders Cup series but carries its own trophy.

Gisborne father and son crew Colin and Ross Shanks, representing East Coast, are the holders of both trophies.

The crew of HMNZS Manawanui were to be in attendance while in Gisborne (the ship’s home port) for Anzac Day commemorations but the ship is no longer coming to Gisborne, “due to operational changes”.

Commander Yvonne Gray is still coming to the club tomorrow afternoon to present the Kingham Trophy to the winner of that race. And because the Sanders Cup has such a history with the Royal New Zealand Navy, she will do a handover of that trophy to the Gisborne Yacht Club commodore Colin Shanks.

Best vantage points for spectators to watch the races are expected to be Kaiti Hill or the yacht club. Binoculars would be helpful as the racing will be well out in the bay, although plenty of action will be going on at Kaiti Beach as yachts are prepared for racing.

Competitors include sailors of international standing, such as Bay of Islands competitor Phil McNeil, a former world champion in the Cherub class.

The head of on-the-water race management is Paul Davies, a former Gisborne Yacht Club member and its commodore in 1999.

• Racing starts at 2pm tomorrow and about midday on Friday and Saturday. Sunday is a reserve day.