Sleek fleet ready to race

By ROBIN BAILEY

The first recorded regatta on the Waitemata Harbour was in September 1840. That was a largely naval affair, thanks to Captain Hobson and his officers. Pulling races and Maori canoe challenges joined the mix of longboats, dinghies and whaleboats taking part as the event evolved.

By 1850 it had an official title and took place on the last Monday in January to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of the province. The naval presence continued and today still plays a vital role in the event.

The 2003 New Zealand Herald Anniversary Regatta on Monday will reflect the evolution of the marine environment of this country. There are boats taking part that were launched on Anniversary Day more than 100 years ago as well as some of the most modern racing yachts in the world today.

One of these is Alfa Romeo, Neville Crichton's flyer that won the last Sydney-Hobart ocean classic. The former Shockwave has been restored to racing trim (water ballast was not permitted for the Hobart race) and Crichton aims to win the 2003 Millennium Cup after giving Aucklanders the opportunity to admire the sleek racer on Monday.

There will be other modern racers on the water, as well as many famous veterans. From the top end of the racing ladder we will see some of the America's Cup yachts as well as cutting-edge keelboats and multi-hulls.

The regatta programme, which includes racing on the Manukau as well as the Waitemata, covers the spectrum of competitive sailboats.

The small centreboard classes will race out of Kohimarama. Tamaki has Laser, Laser Radial Europes and Mistrals while the Takapuna lineup includes the OK Dinghy, Finn, Heron and Navy Crowns classes.

Northcote-Birkenhead will race Idlealongs, Sunburst, Frostbites and the Sea Scout cutters.

On the Manukau, the Clarks Beach Yacht Club will have the full range of centreboarders and trailer sailers, plus keelers and multi-hills in action.

One of the features of the regatta are the races back to Auckland from Mahurangi. Featuring classic and veteran yachts and launches, the event runs throughout the weekend. Keelers and classic yachts race back from Mahurangi on Monday to the finish line off Orakei Wharf. With the right wind, and the forecast is good, the first yachts will be arriving around 3pm.

The Classic Yacht Association regards the Mahurangi Regatta and the race back to Auckland as an important part of a competition calendar in which some of our oldest and most beautifully maintained sailboats do what they were built for - racing.

One of the regulars that will be taking part is Prize, Chad Thompson's 1923 Chas Bailey-built 50-footer. Prize and the Arch Logan-designed Tawera, another 50-footer, are the flagships of a growing charter operation that helps to meet the cost of keeping these priceless classics sailing.

Another feature will be the clash between the M-Class fleet of 18-footers celebrating their 80th birthday against the replica 18s from Sydney. The Australian contingent hope to avenge their loss last year to the M-Class on Sydney Harbour.

This year most of the classes will race over a course that takes them down the harbour to the Copthorne Buoy off the Viaduct Harbour which will allow great viewing from Princes Wharf and the seaward side of the Viaduct Harbour.

Other good vantage points are Bastion Point, Mission Bay, Achilles Point, Stanley Point, Torpedo Bay and North Head.

Regatta Website