Media Release 1 December 2008

Set Sail for the 2009 Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta

Entries are now open for the 2009 Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta celebrating our sailing history.

Tall ships, vintage tugboats, classic yachts, gaff riggers, racing keelers, sloops, sailing dinghies, sailboards and the navy frigate HMNZS Te Mana will be among hundreds of craft on Waitemata Harbour on Monday, 26 January, 2009 to celebrate Auckland's 169th birthday.

It will be a very special day on the sailing calendar with the best of the old and of the new all on the harbour from the fully restored and recently relaunched, 130 year old Jessie Logan, one of the original Logan Brothers gaff-rigged vessels, the grunting power of a 30-40 strong fleet of modern and vintage tugboats and workboats and even radio controlled boats.

Also on the water will be contenders for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series going through their paces before their match racing starts and at the former Team NZ base in the viaduct it's also practice day for the Kiwi Cup for sailors with and without disabilities.

“The 2009 regatta day will be unique with a spectacle on land and sea that will bring our maritime history to life,” said organising chairman, Eric Mahoney.

“We will have vessels of every shape and size on the water competing in our own full day of racing as hundreds of sailors from every walk of life and age compete for a magnificent bounty of silver trophies and cash prizes.

It will also be inspiring to know that we are sharing the water with some of the world's best sailors as they prepare to test their strength, strategy and technical prowess in their new international regatta along with the Kiwi Cup contenders who show that sailing can be a sport for everyone.”

To enter go to admin@regatta.org.nz or phone 0800 REGATTA (0800 734 2882). It costs $15.00 for centreboard yachts and radio controlled yachts and $25.00 for tugboats, keelboats and multihulls.

The Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta is one of the biggest one day regattas in the world and is also the oldest sporting event in New Zealand.

Local shipping and freight company, Oceanbridge Shipping, is naming rights sponsor, heading a family of sponsors including, Auckland City Council, Ports of Auckland Limited, Classic Hits 97.4FM, Lion Foundation and the Spirit of Adventure Trust.

The Royal New Zealand Navy, which provides the Regatta flagship, is a key supporter.

“The Regatta is synonymous with Auckland's celebration of its birthday and embraces all classes of sail boats including classic yachts and tugboats,” said Oceanbridge Managing Director, Bill Speedy. “Anniversary Day Regattas have been a training ground for many of the current world champions, Olympic and America's Cup yachties. As a local business whose fortunes are tied to the sea and the wellbeing of our maritime community we are pleased to be the naming rights sponsor and continue to provide sailing and training opportunities for the new generation of sailors.”

On Sunday evening the classic yacht fleet will be lit up at their berths around the Viaduct Harbour in preparation for the Regatta start at 9:00am on Anniversary Day with a Parade of Sail.

The fleet of classic craft, tugboats and Tall Ships will make their way to the race line off Orakei Wharf under the watch of the Regatta flagship, HMNZS Te Mana, and her VIP guests.

Another of the day's highlights will be the tugboat race off North Head with a massive contingent of these highly manoeuvrable tugs and workboats of all ages roaring across the water in a show of power and spray to the finishing line by Torpedo Bay. They will then parade in order of line honours back into the Viaduct and there will be displays of tugs dancing and water fighting. Some of the fleet will be berthed there so people can look at them more closely.

The great classic yacht revival will also result in the largest entry of some of Auckland's legendary racing yachts with some of the great ladies of the harbour racing, including Waitangi, Thelma, Rainbow, Ranger, Ragtime (Infidel), Fidelis, Rawene and Jessie Logan.

Vantage points for action on the water are at North Head, Bastion Point, Tamaki Drive, East Coast Bays, Orakei Wharf and Viaduct Harbour.

There will also be a full programme of activities as the Auckland City Council presents a long weekend of Anniversary Weekend celebrations at the viaduct.

For more information and entry forms go to:

www.regatta.org.nz or phone 0800 REGATTA (0800 734 2882)

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Auckland City Anniversary Day Regatta On-Water Schedule

Sun 25 Jan: 3.00pm approx: Classic Vessels arrive in Viaduct, and lit up at dusk

Mon 26 Jan:

9.00am: Parade of Sail featuring tugboats, classic yachts and Tall Ships

Recapturing the glory and spectacle of bygone years our yachting heritage sets the scene with a Parade of Sail of a fleet of beautiful classic yachts and launches, tugboats and Tall Ships departing from the Viaduct Harbour up to the race start line off Orakei Wharf. 10.00am: Tugboat Race start off North Head finishing approx 10.30am off Torpedo Bay Watch this amazing display of manoeuvrability and speed as these wonderful craft roar up the channel - best vantage points are North Head or East Coast Bays beaches 10.00am: Radio Controlled Yacht races

Electron's at Westhaven; Nautic 12's at Viaduct Harbour, International One Metre's at Wattle Farm 10am – 12.30pm: Centreboard Classes commence racing

Kohimarama Yacht Club, Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club, Takapuna Boating Club, Tamaki Yacht Club and Wakatere Boating Club.

11.00am: First Start off Orakei Wharf Keelboat races start off Orakei Wharf, Tamaki Drive (by Kelly Tarlton's)

11.30am: Tugboat Parade and display Tugboat parade in Viaduct Harbour and tugboat display off Princes Wharf with tug wrestling, dancing and water fights

12.15 – 12.30pm: Harbour Blast races start off Orakei Wharf

See some of the fastest boats on the water „blast' off in a vision of colour and speed as they head off around the harbour

12.35pm: Super Yacht race start off Royal NZ Yacht Squadron (numbers permitting)

12.40pm: Yachts starting from Mahurangi, Kawau and Rakino arrive in harbour

Best spectator vantage points are Bastion Point, North Head, East Coast Bays, Tamaki Drive, Orakei Wharf and Viaduct Harbour

ENDS

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