Good vibes for BOI sailing week

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING. That was the consensus of participants in the 15th annual Bay of Islands Sailing Week regatta.

“It was fantastic. Loved it,” said David Howarth, a visitor from Scotland. “I’d love to come back next year, but it’s a bit of a long haul from Scotland. It’s the first regatta I’ve ever done, and only the third or fourth time I’ve been out on a boat, but I loved it.”

More than 100 boats entered the regatta – from as far afield as Taupo, Christchurch, Australia and New Caledonia, carrying more than 1,000 sailors on the water each day. The Bay of Islands Sailing Week remains the biggest event of its kind in New Zealand and, according to many, the best as well.

Australian entry Wasabi, owned by Bruce Mackay, was surprised by the standard of racing: “There are some genuinely fast boats. We were like – ‘where did everybody go?’

“We’ve been blown away by how nice the sailing is here. The Bay of Islands is such a great place, I would rate it better than the Whitsundays. The courses that you’ve got to choose are just brilliant, you’ve got such a variation. I’d come back at the drop of a hat.”

This year’s regatta was marked by a big change in the number of boats competing in the Island Racing divisions, with many boats that would normally have competed in windward-leeward races opting for the longer passage-racing courses instead.

While over half the regatta fleet opted for passage races, the six TP52S in A Division saw more close racing in the third and final day. And while Viento dominated days one and two, the final day belonged to Mayhem. She took the gun in all three races.

The regatta takes place each year at the end of January, in the week preceding the Auckland Anniversary long weekend. It’s run almost entirely by a committed crew of volunteers.

Photo: Will Calver