Bill prepares for his 31st regatta in Aviemore classic
Bill Frater can tell some tall tales about the Aviemore Classic regatta after competing in it every year since its inception in 1989, not that he’s revealing any.
‘‘What happens at sea [the lake] stays there,’’ he said.
The retired salesman and plumber, and the crew he has had for 10 years, are racing this weekend in a field of up to 100. For Frater it will be the 31st time he has entered the annual regatta.
The Aviemore Classic is hosted by the Timaru Yacht and Powerboat Club and takes place today and tomorrow.
A spokesperson said 30 entries for the event were registered last week but most participants entered on the day so organisers were expecting between 80 and 100 boats.
Frater said strong winds often added to the challenge of the race as competitors changed directions across the lake over a three to fourhour period.
Skippering his Freak Brothers Elliot 6.5 metre trailer boat, Frater will be busy steering, while his crew of three friends will be tacking as they do the spinnaker work.
Frater grew up in Timaru and spent many hours on the beach and waterfront joining sea scouts at the age of 10.
After saving his pocket money he purchased his first yacht a Z Class when he was 14.
From there he progressed to a Noelex 25 and Elder 7.6, both which he raced in the Aviemore Classic, until buying his trailer boat in 1998.
A highlight of the race was winning the New Zealand Trailer Yacht Championship in 2005.
Usually, Frater’s team comes midfield in the D division. Boats are rated on size and performance and given handicaps.
The all-day race starts and finishes south of Parsons Rock near the north end of Lake Aviemore and covers Waitangi, the clay cliff and the dam areas.
‘‘It’s a good laugh and we enjoy telling tales,’’ Frater said.