Fun and some racing on the water

The water off Russell will be crowded with boats competing in the Tall Ships and Classic Invitational. Photo / Stephen Western

One of the top events in the Bay of Islands' maritime and social calendars returns tomorrow with more than 80 classic yachts and a handful of tall ships due to take part in a day of light-hearted racing hosted by the Russell Boating Club.

The Tall Ships and Classic Invitational Race started in 1976 with six boats. This year, the 40th time the race will have been held, 86 are expected.

The event is contested in two divisions - tall ships (minimum 9.1m/30ft on deck with at least two masts) and classic invitational (minimum 6.7m/22ft, any rig). Racing starts at noon with multihulls and spinnakers banned. The course will be determined by the conditions on the day.

The tall ships Spirit of New Zealand, R Tucker Thompson and Breeze will take part, as will about 45 classic vessels. Among them is Reremoana, a Herreshof ketch now owned by Paihia's David Hope-Lewis, which has competed in every race since 1976 bar one.

Sylfia, a steel ketch built by the last Bernard Kuczera of Kerikeri, will return to defend last year's handicap win in the classic.

For just the second time this year, an all-comers race will be open to any vessel type, including multihulls (minimum 6.7m/22ft). Spot prizes but no handicap places will be awarded.

Almost as popular as the race itself is the prize-giving, hangi and live bands afterwards at the club's Matauwhi Bay base. The hangi, which caters to as many as 1000 people, is one of the biggest in the country.