KEY POINTS:
An unprecedented cluster of world championship yacht races is transforming the social and financial landscape of Takapuna Beach.
The RS:X World Championship, which begins tomorrow, is the first of four world championship events hosted by Takapuna Boating Club in the next two months.
Takapuna Boating Club events director
Grant Cunningham said the events confirmed Takapuna's hosting capability, especially given the importance of the races in an Olympic year.
"There are 11 gold medals awarded for sailing and the qualifiers for four of those are being decided here. It is the first time New Zealand has had such a concentration of Olympic-class contests."
Two hundred windsurfers from 49 countries have flooded into Auckland since November, with families and coaches in tow. They were being accommodated by 300 local volunteers.
He said the positive response from international athletes so far consolidated the unanimous vote which gave Takapuna Beach hosting rights for the event. "I get the impression that many athletes cannot believe their eyes, at how wonderful the beaches are in New Zealand."
From a sailing perspective, Takapuna's strong and changeable winds provided a challenge for the international athletes.
Takapuna Boat Club's Denise Parris said it would be a strong contrast to Qingdao, the host city for Olympic sailing events, which had a comparatively light average windspeed of two knots.
But Denmark's Bettina Honore, who has already qualified for the Olympics, relished the challenging conditions. "Tactically it is very good for me to be sailing in heavy winds. The strong currents at Takapuna are similar to the current in Qingdao."
Secretary of the International RS:X class Rory Ramsden said it had been one of his life ambitions for New Zealand to host the windsurfing event.
"You make a list of things to do in your life and this is one of them. Given the strengths of New Zealand sailors it would be indefensible not to have a world championship here.
"The legacy of the Kendall family, combined with the rich history of New Zealand sailing means it just feels right to be here."
Mr Cunningham believed the events would be of great economic benefit to the area. In bidding for the race hosting rights, he estimated that the RS:X event alone would bring $10 millionto $12 million into the North Shore region.
Owner of the swimsuit store Beach Hut, Cathy Cederwall, said the influx of foreigners since December had rapidly depleted her stock: "There have been other activities at Takapuna but none have had the same economic impact as these races."
In February and March, Takapuna Boating Club will host the ISAF Grade 1 event, the Tornado world championships, and the Laser Radials world championships.