Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta

Vintage superstars and modern day heroes take to the waters for 2012 Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta.

January 30 2012 is Auckland’s anniversary day celebrating the founding of the province. And to commemorate the day, one of the world’s single biggest one day sailing regattas will take place – 172 years after the first one back in 1840, with a glorious spectacle featuring the vintage superstars of the past and the high-tech heralds of the future.

The Oceanbridge Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta attracts a huge fleet of vessels including, tall ships, gaff riggers, sloops, racing keelers, multi-hulls, sailing dinghies, radio controlled boats, waka ama, dragon boats, elegant sea scout craft, perfectly restored classic yachts, an armada of over 20 vintage tugboats and America’s Cup prototypes.

The great classic yacht revival will see a large fleet of some of Auckland’s legendary racing yachts in the water. A number of these yachts date back to the 1890s and have undergone full restoration using traditional boatbuilding methods and craftsmanship. These include Thelma, Rainbow, Ranger, Gloriana, Tawera, Wairiki and Little Jim. Also expected to race is Rawhiti. Built by the Logan Bros, the 107-year-old, 54-footer, with intricate wood, copper and bronze shape and workings has been restored to her original beauty in a six year labour of love. The classic yacht fleet will be moored in the Viaduct on the Sunday evening, January 29, and lit up Mediterranean-style for sightseers to look at them at close quarters.

It’s a great day out for sailors and tens of thousands of spectators who can see the maritime and trading history of the harbour-rimmed city in action under paddle, sail and steam power. Bastion Point, North Head, East Coast Bays, Tamaki Drive, Orakei and Princes Wharf, Wynyard Quarter will all offer great vantage points for a big day out.

There will be dazzling aerobatic displays from the Red Checkers followed by the Warbirds over the city skies the whole of the downtown viaduct area will become ‘party central’ with free entertainment for all the family.

If you want to race go to at www.regatta.org.nz or phone 0800 REGATTA (0800 734 2882). It costs $15.00 for centreboard yachts and radio controlled yachts to enter and $25.00 for tugboats, keelboats and multihulls.

The regatta is supported by a family of sponsors again, led by naming rights partner, Oceanbridge Shipping, with Auckland Council, Classic Hits, Ports of Auckland Ltd, Lion Foundation, The Southern Trust and the Spirit of Adventure Trust along with the very active support of the Royal New Zealand Navy which provides the flag ship for the day.

Check out our FaceBook page or go to www.regatta.org.nz for more information.

Programme highlights:

Sunday 29 January: Viaduct Harbour
The fleet of heritage vessels berth in the Viaduct Harbour from late afternoon until Monday morning. A European flavour will prevail with the vessels being lit up Mediterranean style

Monday 30 January 9.00am: Tugboat Parade
Tugboats young and old will gather at the entrance to the Viaduct Harbour and parade up to their start line off North Head.
10.00am: Tugboat Race off North Head
11.30am Fire fighting display off the Viaduct followed by a Parade through the Viaduct.

Races start off Princes Wharf, downtown Auckland at 5 minute intervals from 11.00am, with the flying multihulls starting at 11.05am
11.30am: Division One Keelers
11.35am: A Classic and A Modern Classic Divisions
11.40am: B Classic and B Modern Classic Divisions
11.55am: Tall Ships and Waka
12.00noon: Harbour Blast starts off Orakei Wharf

Best spectator vantage points - Bastion Point, North Head, East Coast Bays, Tamaki Drive, Orakei, Queen & Princes Wharves.

Red Checkers daring aerobatics display followed by the historic Harvards formation aerobatics

Event listed by susanderus

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