Sailing through the Ages in Regatta Line Up

Media Release 17 January 2008

Sailing through the Ages in Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta Line Up

A rare spectacle will set sail from Viaduct Harbour on Monday, January 28, with a line up of stately, beautifully restored vessels, including Gloriana, the first boat from the Logan Brothers yard, launched in 1892.

She will join six other Logan gaff-rigged vessels including Waitangi, Rainbow, Ariki, Rawene, Frances and the recently restored Thelma, back in Auckland after 70 years in the Mediterranean, as part of a large fleet of classic sailing craft, 30 vintage tugboats, tall ships, and scores of keelers, sloops, sailing dinghies, sailboards and the navy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha, all celebrating Auckland’s 168th birthday in the Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta.

“We’ve never had a line up like it and we are thrilled to have such an impressive fleet representing sailing through the ages to bring our region’s maritime history alive,” said Regatta Organising Committee Chairman, Eric Henry. “Starting with the Parade of Sail at 9:00am and continuing through the day with a full programme of races for different classes, it’ll provide a spectacle for landlubbers from harbour vantage points and a day of sport for the hundreds of veteran, up and comers and professional sailors racing for line honours.”

First held 168 years ago as part of Auckland’s birthday celebrations, the regatta is believed to be one of the biggest one day regattas in the world and the oldest sporting event in New Zealand.

The 2008 Regatta is made possible by the generous support of local shipping and freight company, Oceanbridge Shipping, who as naming rights sponsor heads a family of sponsors including Auckland City Council, Ports of Auckland Limited, Classic Hits 97.4FM, Lion Foundation and the Spirit of Adventure Trust and support from the Royal New Zealand Navy, which provides the Regatta flagship,

For entry forms go to: www.regatta.org.nz or 0800 REGATTA (0800 734 2882)

ENDS

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