RED LIGHT COULDN’T STOP REGATTA

The Ports of Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta has faced a number of challenges in its 182-year history and this year’s regatta was no exception.

The biggest obstacle was obviously Covid-19 and the various restrictions, which had the regatta committee on tenterhooks for months before the event.

The first Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta was held in 1840 and is one of the world’s biggest single-day regattas. It was cancelled in 1900 due to the war in South Africa – the first and only time in the event’s history that it did not take place.

The call was made to continue this year under the red setting, although the dragon boats and waka ama fleets had to pull out due to the number of participants expected. These fleets will return in 2023.

The prizegiving has also been put on hold due to the current restrictions on gathering sizes.

If that wasn’t enough, blustery conditions greeted the various fleets which proved challenging for many centreboard fleets launching from the various beaches – Murray›s Bay, Manly, Takapuna and Tamaki.

The conditions on the day made for rather wet racing for many, with the smaller tugs and classic launches taking a few big waves over their bows, and the keelboat fleets enjoying exciting sailing conditions.

Interestingly, entry numbers this year surpassed those of 2021, highlighting the desire of many to get out on the water. It was probably also a reflection of the fact the CRC Bay of Islands Sailing Week had been cancelled.

Some classes staged their racing the following weekend, including the Optimist and Starling fleets at the Wakatere Boating Club.

All images (c) Lissa Photography www.lissaphotography.co.nz