Coming up! The Rum races continue every Thursday, through the winter - 3.30 start with the club open for the weekly catch up with a nosh and natter. Sailors beware!! Please observe the “Moving Prohibited Zone” near all shipping. We received a complaint from the Harbour Master after last Thursday’s race. A certain fleet impeded the access of a freighter!!

THE SEASON RESUMES:

We were sailing again at last after a hiatus for Covid when Rum Racing resumed in December. The CENTRE BOARD CUP REGATTA at Herne Bay on 11th December was another great event with 5 Mullet Boats racing around Watchman Island & the Chelsea Buoy. ( See pics.)

The MAHURANGI / ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND was thwarted by on-going Covid restrictions with no shore functions and no Mullet Boat results. Then the weather spoiled the plans for a race to Riverhead on Waitangi Day but some of the members travelled on the Watchman & by car for an enjoyable lunch.

We didn’t sail the Lidgard Series but we did race to Taikata for the Roger Collett Memorial Trophy with Rangimanu first on line and Komuri winning on handicap. Always an interesting cruise avoiding the shallows! A special thanks to Taikata for their great hospitality. They came in their chase boat to welcome us off Chelsea.

The NEW WORLD LIPTON CUP 101 scheduled for March 19 was sailed although the entry numbers were down with only 5 on the start line. Paul Meyer was this this year’s Race Officer with the responsibility of setting the course and making the decisions. Janet joined him aboard as time keeper, recorder and after a number of years as RO enjoyed not having to make those Race Management calls. Dave Nigh was the host and skipper aboard his launch Amazon with Tania Nigh assisting. Tania would have been a starter on Martanza but the boat was still on the hard awaiting maintenance and Paul also had a probable starter still behind schedule. Kevin Gun was again the skipper of Watchman with Antony Collett in charge of the RIB

Even with the small fleet there were excitements! Tere Kanae exonerated her minor mishap on the start line with a penalty turn. Orion II was in control and away leading after the first beat, Valeria sailing with a patchwork crew after several covid withdrawals, struggled with her kite as she careered through the RNZYS training fleet on her first down wind leg.

The race down harbour to Bastion Buoy off Tamaki was a long and a short beat with Orion II rounding 3 minutes ahead of Valeria with Rangimanu just 30 seconds behind. From there it was on the wind to Rangitoto Buoy near the SW corner of Rangitoto Island, a lead to North Head and another windward leg to Salt Works on the NW shores of Rangi’. At this stage Orion II  had built her lead to 8 minutes, Valeria was 3 minutes ahead of Rangimanu & Tere Kanae which had been 5 minutes behind at Rangi’ Buoy was struggling. Komuri, sailing with a smaller mainsail and not using a spinnaker always looked comfortably in control following the fleet.  

Orion led the fleet home by 12 Minutes. Valeria was second, flying a smaller yellow kite and Rangi Manu was third. Tere Kanae made the start line but discretion ruled when, for the first time in many years, she withdrew and sailed home while still afloat! Like a number of the aging fleet, she needs some TLC! Komuri sailed well in the conditions, fourth over the line and a win both the handicap and non-spinnaker trophies.

A disappointing but reasonable fleet considering. For the first three years of racing for the Lipton Cup there were only 6 entries and that was when there were 30 or 40 boats racing regularly on the harbour!! To the Mullet Boat sailors, mark this date on your Calendar NOW and get organised – MARCH 18 2023, NEW WORLD LIPTON CUP 102!

On March 29th we completed four races of the NED WOMEN’S SUMMER SERIES – the only Series to be completed this season so it was time to celebrate with a prize giving and the presentation of the trophies after the race!

The trophy winners for the series –

On Line – Sarah and crew on Peppermint Planet and Wendy and crew on Patrician.

The RUM RACES resumed in December and continue every Thursday and on Thursday April 7, the first day of the earlier start 10 boats lined up to race for the Joe the Pipe Memorial race with Black Out winning on line and handicap.

Also presented on the night were the season’s trophies: The Numbers Game Trophy for the Most Starts: After 28 Races – 1st equal Fast Company & Psyche.

The Black Heart Trophy for the Most Guns: 1st equal Men at Work & Fast Company.

We may have celebrated the end of the summer of Rum Racing but the Rum Races will continue every Thursday followed by the very sociable gathering in the club afterwards to which everyone is welcome!

EVERY THURSDAY EVENINGS – RUM RACE START 15.30 – CLUB & BAR OPEN.
​​​​​​​SEE YOU THERE!!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

THE FOSTERS VINTAGE & VETERANS REGATTA on April 10 was spectacular. The weather was perfect and with 9 A Class keelers, most carrying their gaff topsails and 4 modern classics racing in the A division and 4 including 1 mullet boat in the B division, it was a perfect day vintage day on the Waitemata. The course sent them 4 times up and down the harbour off Westhaven for three hours plus they all enjoyed their sail in the idyllic conditions.

Rawhiti sailed by peter Brookes took line and handicap honours in the A Division, Princess  was first of the Modern Classics and Rangi Manu the first of the B Division. As she was the only Mullet Boat racing the Mullet boat trophy was not awarded. The Keith Hughes Trophy for the oldest skipper was won by the 87 year old skipper of Katrina. My name is on that trophy! I won it 30 years ago!! How times have changed – I we do have an aging fleet! See Pics

On April 25 we hosted our ANNUAL AON ANZAC DAY REGATTA, the Regatta with the Mark Foy Start! This event takes some prior planning which is why early entry is required. The course length is planned to suit the predicted weather and the start times are set in relation to the handicaps. The staggered start aims at all boats finishing within minutes!! By deducting the start times of each boat from their finish times the elapsed times are then used to determine the winners of the Closing Day trophies.

After a horrendous year of constant disorganisation our season did end on a high note with two great regattas featuring the old gaffers!  Brought back great memories when they would all race to Orakawa on Boxing Day and be in Russell for New Year’s Eve. In Otehei Bay the senior flag officer would fire the gun at 0800 and again at sunset for “Colours”! Today, few would know what it meant and the firer would be arrested!!

And the WINTER SERIES started with very positive vibes. Check the calendar for the dates and we will see you on the start line!! May 22, June 19, July 03, 17 & 31, August14 & 28, Sept. 11.

NEXT SEASON? Believe it or not – we are already working on a draft of those events we need to coordinate with our neighbouring clubs and with major events on the harbour.

We need YOUR input for events & the calendar & volunteers to help with the house committee, the racing programme - watch this space - we look forward to hearing from you!

SO MUCH FOR THE SEASON THAT WASN’T!! LET’S MAKE NEXT SEASON ONE TO REMEMBER!