An 8m yacht from the drawing board of a Kiwi designer has received praise from the sailing community in Western Australia. Three yacht clubs have co-opted Brett Bakewell-White to create a new one-design keelboat for the region. Early testing in a range of conditions has been positive andBakewell-White says it is ideal for for competitive racing and training.
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The Tauranga Boat Show has been cancelled just three weeks before the event. The event, which normally attracts up to 15,000 people, fell through due to issues with the venue.
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Laurie Jury and his crew raced against nine other top level skippers to become the country's champion keelboat sailor in light and shifty conditions last weekend.
Jury's was the only team to remain in the top half of the fleet in all six races in day one, beating Philippe Mazard from New Caledonia and Chris Maddock. The event was organised by the Royal Akarana Yacht Club.
Water-Watch
* The Barfoot and Thompson National Formula and Open Windsurfing champs were to start yesterday at the Manly Sailing Club and continue throughout the weekend.
Formula windsurfing is the largest windsurfing class in the world and the boats can exceed 30 knots. The regatta also incorporates the Manly Windsurfing championships, and competitors include the current Australian formula champion, as well as New Zealanders Dave Holt, John Paul Tobin, Barbara Kendall and Shane Bright.
* Today: Club championships (RNZYS), Optimist inter-club team's racing (MBSC), Gulf Harbour fishing competition (GHCC).
* Tomorrow: Airpro Single handed series around Motuihe (BBYC), Classic launch rally to Riverhead, North Harbour Laser Master Regatta (PYC).
* 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.
