By WAYNE THOMPSON
A lively breeze and brilliant sunshine gave sailors and spectators perfect conditions for yesterday's New Zealand Herald Auckland Anniversary Regatta.
"It was one of the best regattas I've known," said the chairman of the regatta organising committee, John O'Brien.
"There was an excellent turnout and beautiful sailing in eight
to 14 knots of breeze.
America's Cup syndicates entered the spirit of the day with fast runs off the North Shore to thrill the thousands of people who lined vantage points.
More than 7000 people visited shore-based displays on both sides of the Waitemata Harbour, said regatta manager Tim Kay.
Vintage cars, planes, and performances by Polynesian dancers and bands were crowd favourites.
He said keel boat entries in the regatta were about the same as last year but more centreboard yachts were on the water because of the Auckland championships for the Optimist, P-Class, Starling and 29er classes. The Optimist fleet alone comprised 100 boats.
A highlight was the spirited competition in the Europe class by some of the world's top women sailors.
The event was won by Ditte Juul, of Denmark, from Aucklander and Olympic Games representative Sarah Macky, with Siren Sunby, of Norway, in third place.
Youngsters in the P-Class boats had a special prize to race for, the Sir Peter Blake Memorial Trophy.
Sir Peter's mother, Joyce Blake, will present the trophy at the regatta prizegiving on February 11.
The Navy frigate Te Mana hosted the annual New Zealand Herald Foundation lunch, which this year was raising funds for Surf Life Saving, Northern Region.
Five boating clubs of the Manukau Harbour held their own races off Mangere Bridge for the second year.
Manukau events coordinator David Hilliar said 10 to 15 knots of wind treated competitors in classes ranging from Optimist and Sunburst to a fleet of trailer sailers and Sea Scout cutters.
Entries were down on last year but events drew a good crowd and the Coastguard reported well-behaved spectator craft.
Lunch on Te Mana a highlight of regatta day
Official regatta website
