WAIKAWA NEW YEAR REGATTA

Waikawa Boating Club’s annual New Year Regatta has been scheduled and the Notice of Race is being distributed to sailors all over New Zealand. The open invitation will draw the biggest fleet and sailor participation in the Marlborough calendar for the two-day regatta over the weekend of January 8-9, 2022.

The New Year Regatta is considered the foundation stone for the club, with the event dating back to 1948.

Marlborough-based Giesen Wines Limited returns as the major sponsor of the regatta in 2022. The multi-faceted partnership works well for the club and competitors with Giesen wines and beers featuring in the club bar and in the prize pool.

The 2022 Giesen New Year Regatta is extending the invitation to specifically include trailer yachts. This type of boat has been smaller in number over the years and it’s an excellent category to target for the event to grow.

The summer holidays timing of the event works for families who have positioned their yacht in the Picton area and can enjoy a weekend of racing before spending some more relaxing time in the region and hundreds of bays throughout the Marlborough Sounds.

Island Cruising NZ is organising a voyage down from the Far North, arriving in time for the regatta, with some boats choosing to race.

The programme begins on the Friday evening with an invitational race and the regatta proper starts on Saturday with five divisions in a mix of round the cans and long harbour racing.

Registration information can be found on the Waikawa Boating Club website. www.waikawaboatingclub.co.nz