KEY POINTS:
A group of go-faster sailors from Royal Akarana Yacht Club organised the first Harbour Blast as part of the Anniversary Regatta last year. They are doing it again this year and expect even more participants this time around.
Tornado stars Aaron McIntosh and Bruce Kendall went around the inner harbour course quickest last year with an M-Class winning on handicap. This year's event is open to M-Class, Flying 15s, 12ft and 18ft skiffs, Farr 3.7s, Hobie 16s, F18 cats, A-Class cats, Paper Tigers, Javelins, Cherubs, Phase IIs, 29ers, RS400s and Elliott 6ms - in fact everyone who wants to get into the action in an event that takes the regatta to the public in an exciting way.
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The 2007 Formula Honda championship will kick off at Taupo on Sunday, January 28 when the Thunder on the Great Lake offshore series launches the new offshore powerboat racing season. Championship director Stuart Roberts says Sonic 1900SS H20 has just gone into the water, making the class the biggest in offshore racing. After Taupo the boats will compete at Maraetai (February 10), Gulf Harbour (February 24), Wellington (March 10), Tauranga (March 24), Napier (April 14) and Whitianga (April 28) The final is due to take place in Auckland on May 12.
Water-Watch
* This weekend sees some more racing action on the Waitemata in the lead-up to Anniversary Day.
* Today: B J Tyres Afternoon Blow-out (Buckland's Beach YC); Mullet boats, Lidgard Memorial (Ponsonby CC); Bay of Islands Race Week, feeder race (RYNZS).
* Tomorrow: M-Class, Mark Foy (RAYC); summer windward/leeward racing (Up to 26 Club).
* Organisations planning events on or in the Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register in advance with the Auckland Regional Council on (09) 366 2000. The 24-hour response number for the ARC maritime unit is (09) 362 0397.
