An absolute classic!
This year’s Lindauer Classic Yacht Regatta turned on the conditions to test the mettle of craft and crew. CHAD THOMPSON describes the action …
2008 had been shaping up to be one of the milestones for classic yachting in New Zealand ever since the return of Thelma and the news of the restoration of the other classics: Rainbow, Rawhiti (now not to be relaunched until late 2008), Loloma and Gloriana. It was also to be a big year for the modern classics with increased participation from the Stewart 34’s, Townsons and H28 fleets. There were certainly no disappointments especially with the challenge by Thelma to Ariki’s supremacy. Ariki has been known historically as the ‘Queen of the Harbour’ and now was the time for her to reclaim her title.
In the Modern Classic Division there were 18 entrants, a record and one likely to grow, especially with the camaraderie that is ever-growing at this end of the fleet.
The Viaduct Marine Village was once again the base for the event with racing starting and finishing at Orakei Wharf. This year for the first time all of the racing was in the inner harbour, with a new four-race format and three races to count for the points results. The Viaduct harbour provided a wonderful spot to view the majority of the competitors and exchange tall tales of ‘What might have been if only ……’.
In past regattas, the fleet has usually been subject to a wide variety of conditions; not so this time around. Friday started in 20 – 25 knots with gusts later in the race exceeding 30 knots. Some wild rides brought out the heart pills on many yachts and the after-race bar was littered with tall tales of hair-raising events, wild rides and close finishes. As the conditions moderated only for Saturday and Sunday, the regatta proved to be a real test of gear and skills.
This year we enjoyed not only a return visit from our Australian friends, but also a contingent of classic yachties from the northern hemisphere, crewing on Prize and Ariki. They certainly showed us all how to make things happen on a large gaffer like Ariki. The only pity was that, in the process, Ariki lost her bowsprit with the failure of a bobstay fitting.
In summary, the 2008 Lindauer Classic Yacht Regatta has been our most successful regatta. Long may the fleet continue to grow through the enthusiasm of our boat owners and their crew. We eagerly look forward to 2009’s regatta and the return to the fleet of Rawhiti and Ranger as well as more of our other classics and hopefully a representative yacht from across the Tasman.
