Sails, sun, fun on sparkling water

By JO-MARIE BROWN and WAYNE THOMPSON

Old and young, veteran seadogs and nautical novices packed every available vantage point on land or water yesterday as the yachts came out to celebrate Auckland's Anniversary Day.

Over 450 vessels competed in 22 keelboat races and 30 centreboard events - more than double the number of entries in last year's Anniversary Day regatta - and at least 1000 spectator boats also turned out.

On the frigate Te Kaha, anchored just offshore to act as a marker for the Auckland Anniversary New Zealand Herald Regatta, Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie Boys acted as host to more than 250 guests of the New Zealand Herald Foundation.

Sipping drinks in the sunshine and listening to the Navy band, they had a prime view of the races and the spectator boats zipping around the harbour, said guest David Williams.

"It's been a wonderful experience. You can imagine you were back here 100 years ago on the harbour as there's a very colonial feel to it. It's very romantic."

The weather also came to the party, light cloud cover and a gentle breeze providing the perfect conditions for a day on the water.

Traditional vantage points on North Head, on the North Shore, and Bastion Pt, on the other side of the harbour, were lined with spectators, many having picnics.

"If you want to see the whole show, come to Bastion Pt," said Colin Carr, of Beachlands, settled in his folding chair with binoculars at the ready.

A keen yachtsman, he said he tried to attend every regatta.

But a nearby group said they were newcomers to the event.

For dozens of sick children and celebrities on the motor-sailer Galerna, once owned by the Swedish royal family, the highlight of the day was the appearance of Team New Zealand's two black boats.

Craft of every shape and size swarmed towards the Black Magics, with everyone clamouring to catch a glimpse of the new Team NZ crews in action.

The Italian America's Cup syndicate Prada also joined in the festivities, but all eyes were on the Kiwis.

"Wow, they look so cool," said 11- year-old Talia Hunter, who suffers from a heart condition and was invited to join the Cure Kids' Anniversary Day outing. Cure Kids provides medical research for children with life-threatening diseases.

Talia and her friend Ivana Bakulich, who also has a heart defect, had the time of their lives as they had their faces painted and collected autographs from Olympic rowing gold medallist Rob Waddell and his wife, Sonia, former TrueBliss singer Megan Alatini, broadcasters Suzy Cato and Stacey Daniels and Auckland Blues rugby players.

"It's great meeting all the famous people. This is also the biggest boat I've ever been on," Talia said of the Galerna.

Despite a light breeze in the Rangitoto Channel, the two Black Magics gave a demonstration of their power. They turned at Rangitoto Light and came back under spinnaker towards North Head, crossing over the start of a regatta yacht race without incident.

After thrilling spectators, the yachts, with Dean Barker and Bertrand Pace at the helm, turned and headed for their normal training ground off East Coast Bays.

Prada made a fitting gesture for the regatta by having both its yachts on the water for the first time in this year's America's Cup training programme.

Promoters reported a good public response to this year's move to turn the traditional Anniversary Day celebrations into an event covering the whole weekend, and one that involved activities in the region's four main cities.

Manukau and Waitakere cities joined Auckland and North Shore to host land-based events.

"It's the biggest show we've put on for Anniversary Weekend and it's been fantastic - it could not have been better weather," said event organiser Tim Kay.

Highlights included the waka ama outrigger races by youngsters at Narrow Neck and an Air Force Iroquois helicopter opened for display at Okahu Bay reserve.

A new feature of the anniversary regatta was the running of a point-to-point challenge on a course that covered both Waitemata and Manukau Harbours.

More than 60 entrants struggled over the 50km course, which started at Pt Chevalier and finished at Pt England on the Tamaki River.

The event combined kayaking, running and cycling with a strong element of orienteering.

It was also the first time that sailing events on the Manukau Harbour were part of the anniversary regatta - even though the Manukau Yacht and Motor Boat Club at Mangere Bridge is Auckland's second-oldest yacht club.

Organiser David Hilliar said about 80 entries, including trailer yachts and smaller craft, found good sailing despite a flukey breeze.

Herald Online Marine News