Bay of Islands Sailing Week is calling; Be bold, the more the merrier!
by Hana Hielkema / Jacob Fewtrell Media 12 Nov 2024 02:30 PST
12 November 2024
Wired - Bay of Islands Sailing Week - Bay of Islands, Northland NZ - January 2023 © Jacob Fewtrell Media
Seasoned sailors Rob Bassett and Brett Russell are rallying competitors to join what Peter Montgomery has called “the best-big boat regatta in NZ” as entries roll in for the 2025 Bay of Islands Sailing Week (BOISW).
Bassett and Russell campaign the 52-foot Bakewell-White designed ‘Wired’ and they compare the event favourably to Australia’s Hamilton Island Race Week, noting it offers similar excitement in New Zealand’s own backyard.
“The racing is always good, and that time of year lends itself to an enjoyable three days in the Bay of Islands”, Bassett says, highlighting the event’s strong social
aspect and island celebrations.
The regatta, scheduled for January 21-24, follows directly after New Zealand’s SailGP event (January 18-19) creating an exciting month for sailing enthusiasts. The
timing is particularly significant as Emirates Team New Zealand celebrates retaining the America’s Cup.
Eight race boats, including Wired with its 13-person crew, have already registered for the Island Racing – Spinnaker Division. The event features multiple racing
categories, including outer course competitions for A, B, M, and Young 88 divisions,plus Middle/Inner Course races for C, E, and Sports Boat Divisions.
Local Opua yacht Pretty Boy Floyd is also planning to be amongst the action and the Ross 40’s co-owner Julie Kidman says it’s a good chance to line up in some strong
fleets, with professional course management.
For those on the fence about joining, she says “just do it – the more the merrier.”
Pretty Boy Floyd was a fairly new acquisition for Bill and Julie Kidman last year and 2024 has been a “huge learning curve, but plenty of fun” for the pair.
BOISW will also give them a chance to tune up for Bill’s short-handed campaign, and Julie says they’re hoping to improve their handicap results from the 2024 edition.
Participants will enjoy a range of facilities at the Bay of Islands Marina, including berths, moorings, marine services and chandleries.
Regatta organisers are actively facilitating connections between crews seeking boats and skippers needing crew members, so be sure to check out the page and see
how they can assist.
Find crew seeker page here. Crew Seeker page here
The annual event, which draws hundreds to New Zealand’s far north during peak summer, combines competitive racing with the regions natural beauty and strong sailing community.
The 2025 edition will have its headquarters outside the Opua Cruising Club, with a redesigned layout and daily happy hour hoping to entice sailors off their boats after
racing and enjoy the festivities.
All entries received prior to December 31st going in the draw to win a Coastal Offshore Biscay Jacket thanks to Henry Lloyd Australia and The Chandlery.
The Notice of Race is available on the website bayofislandssailingweek.org.nz/race-info/notice-of-race and the Sailing Instructions will be available on the BOISW Mobile App (download from App Store or Google Play)by 1200 on Friday 17th January 2025. Entries received after 1st January 2025 will be accompanied by a $100 late fee, and the cut off for entries will be Monday 13th January.