I thought the photos being posted on Facebook by Alex Bruce of the Roy Bay Regatta deserved a short story.
Alex said Friday and Saturday were fantastic, you could not get better days. Sun, and a perfect sailing breaze.
He told me Sunday was a lake race but with too much wind the course was shortened to one round. With over 2 metre waves further up the lake commercial vessels sheltered below the 1st island due to the conditions.
Graeme Wall was there and won the multi hull’s division. Graeme has emailed me his account of the racing below:
From Graeme Wall,
Last weekend saw the annual regatta for the Wanaka Yacht Club being sailed in what had to be fantastic Central Otago Summer weather.
On Friday evening two races were held with a good breeze coming down the lake. The air was hot, the water was warm, it was great to leave the wetsuit ashore and go bare feet and board shorts.
On Saturday was more of the same; again very warm with the water in the bay a few degrees higher than I have been used to of late this season down home. Saturday’s racing comprised of 6 races with a stop between race 3 and 4 to come ashore for lunch.
This regatta saw the Wanaka club having on the water starts which certainly made for better starting duels for the competitors.
On Sunday the plan was to sail the round the Island endurance race. Up to Mou Tapu Island for the Trailer Yachts and the Etchells with the dinghy classes going around the closer Ruby Island. The morning saw a very stiff northerly blowing in the head of the lake so Mou Tapu was not to be so instead everyone raced around Ruby Island where the wind decided to die away to a very light fickle breeze that was just enough to keep you thinking that you may catch those in front. Again a great day in very warm conditions. With the constantly shifting breeze and the high air temperature the crew on my boat were fair working up a sweat with yet another spinnaker hoist followed by a drop.
Whilst numbers were down a bit this year with a low showing in the dinghy classes there were nevertheless great sailing in the Trailer Yacht Division especially the Noelex 22’s where Karen and Alex Bruce’s Charade dominated both that fleet and the whole regatta overall.
The Etchells sailed in their NZ Freshwater Etchell Championships. There was very tight racing amongst the Etchell fleet and their starts were very closely contested. The Etchells certainly provide a great spectacle for anyone on the shore to see especially during their last race on Saturday when during a breezy trip out to the wing mark saw the pressure of close racing force everyone to pop their kites because the other guy did – this certainly did provide entertainment for all the armchair sailors on shore.
This was a great weekend away, warm sailing conditions and well hosted by the Wanaka Yacht Club. Congratulations to Commodore Quentin Smith for heading a great club event and to their Race Officer Eddie Fahey and to Rodger for letting me have the helm of his Etchell for the Sunday sailing.
Cheers Graeme Wall,
Regional Support Officer Otago/Southland Region.
Yachting New Zealand
Thanks to Karen Bruce for photos.
Southern Tack Yachting News 