Auckland Regatta 2013

Near perfect conditions rounded out the final day of racing in the Auckland Regatta on Sunday with the final results going to the wire in several divisions. A 12-15-knot easterly had the yachts powered up and flying in bright autumn sunshine. The regatta attracted 85 entries over 11 divisions. 

V5  leads Wired, Icebreaker and Georgia One in Division A (photo Stephen Craig)

Chris Hornell's Bay of Islands entry, Kia Kaha, won DIvision A on line, PHRF and IRC, holding out the Bakewell-White 52 Wired who had little chance to stretch her legs on the short windward-leeward courses, and the Botin & Carkeek 52 Georgia in the line results, and the Ker 40 Icebreaker in IRC.

Kia Kaha - PHRF and IRC winner in Division A (photo Ivor Wilkins)

The Botin & Carkeek 52 Georgia in the first race of Division A (photo Stephen Craig)

Division B saw a mighty battle between three Elliott 12 yachts for PHRF honours, with Sure Thing, skippered by Andy Anderson, edging past overnight leader Bullrush (Anthony Robinson) and Mojo (Angie Crafer) to take the overall win, while Bullrush won on line.

The Elliot 12 Mojo powers off the start in the first race in Division B (photo Stephen Craig)

I was racing onboard Giles and Sandy Grigg's Flashwave in the Farr 1020 Division, which doubled as the class championship for 2013. After an average first day things came together in the lighter breezes on the second day when we recorded a second and three back to back wins. Although our placings were down the ladder on the last day we had built up enough of a buffer to win the championship title on countback, and to win the championships and the Auckland Regatta on handicap. An excellent result for our first Farr 1020 regatta! 

Flashwave sails off the startline to leeward of Share Delight on the first day of the Auckland Regatta (photo Stephen Craig) 

Flashwave finishing a race on the first day before going on to take overall honours in the Auckland Regatta and Farr 1020 Championship (photo Stephen Craig)

For full results, please see the event website: www.aucklandregatta.co.nz