New Zealand’s biggest and multi-day sailing regatta, CRC Bay of Islands Sailing Week, will be held next week and organisers are again predicting a record breaking year in terms of entry numbers.The entry list for the event, which takes place from 22 to 25 January 2019, already stands at 101 boats.
This time last year, entries for the event stood at 87, with the final total for last year’s regatta being just over 100 boats. Organisers say the continued growth of entry numbers for the event shows just how much people love CRC Bay of Islands Sailing Week, which has always aimed to be a regatta “by sailors, for sailors”.
Regatta Chairperson Manuela Gmuer-Hornell says: “We’re almost totally run by volunteers, and that’s something I’m really proud of. We’re a regatta by the people, for the people, and I think that’s what makes Bay Week special.”
She says they try to make sure the event is fresh and interesting each year to keep people engaged, without straying too much from a format that’s clearly popular with competitors.
“We did a survey last year to see what people wanted changed, and the response was pretty clear – not a lot! So that’s really good to know – that we’re putting on an event people love and want to come back to every year.”
“But we’re always looking for ways we can make little changes to make each year a bit different, like bringing back the beach party this year – I’m really looking forward to that, and I’m sure there’s a lot of sailors who are too!”
CRC Bay of Islands Sailing Week offers a wide variety of racing options for monohulls, multihulls and sport boats. Entrants have the option to participate in windward leeward racing, or opt for a single, longer bay race each day, with or without spinnakers. There’s also class racing for Young 88s, Weta Trimarans and Tornadoes, and organisers are happy to hear from any other classes that would like to take part.
Entries will still be accepted right up to Registrationon Tuesday 22 January, online entry is recommended
www.bayofislandssailingweek.org.nz.
