Boats capsize during regatta
Nine people were treated for hypothermia after three boats capsized during the Aviemore Classic regatta at Lake Aviemore.
Police were notified about noon yesterday that several yachts had capsized at the annual yachting regatta on the Waitaki River. Police said 17 people were in the water, some for up to 20 minutes, before being picked up by the regatta’s rescue boat.
The yachts were reported to be racing from Otematata River to the Aviemore Dam. A police spokeswoman said the coastguard was on the scene, along with police and ambulance staff.
‘‘Latest update is that everyone is out of the water,’’ the police spokeswoman said about 1.20pm.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said two trucks, one pump appliance, and another with medical equipment, both from Otematata, were at the scene.
A member of the Timaru Yacht Club who attended the event said he was meant to sail in the event yesterday but cancelled at the last minute after his yacht sustained damage on Saturday while he was sailing.
‘‘We knew the wind was going to come up yesterday and we didn’t want to risk further damage.’’ He saw three overturned yachts towed to shore. ‘‘A couple of guys suffered hypothermia.
‘‘It was good sailing conditions but the big nor’west wind gusts came in.’’
MetService meteorologist Claire Nickson said: ‘‘We did have a strong wind watch out for Otago which would have covered Lake Aviemore, that was meant to be easing yesterday afternoon.
‘‘I’d expect that is what they [yachts] got caught in.
‘‘Our watch criteria means
Gordon Collister Commodore of the Timaru Yacht and Power Boat Club that winds
110kmh.’’
Gordon Collister, commodore of the Timaru Yacht and Power Boat Club said it was a short burst of very strong northwest winds. About 50 competitors had made their way from a boat harbour at Otematata and were sailing near the Aviemore Dam when they were hit by high winds, he said. ‘‘They were stuck with about 30 minutes of very strong winds blowing from all directions.’’
All three capsized boats were recovered, he said.
‘‘The lake is known for strong winds.’’
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‘‘They were stuck with about 30 minutes of very strong winds blowing from all directions.’’