Bay of Islands Sailing Week 2010: Day One - We're Racing!

Dean Barker at the helm of Georgia, a Botin and Carkeek designed TP52 owned by Jim Farmer on day one of the Bay of Islands Regatta. Image copyright Cathy Vercoe LuvMyBoat.

by Lesley Haslar

A good breeze of 10-12 knots set the scene for a challenging day on the water. The day started with showers, and has ended with rain – cloudy but dry during most of the day. However the weather-Man is forgiven. Rain is desperately needed up here in the Far North so yachties are not complaining for ONE DAY.

Division A set a fast pace for the regatta, with Limit, our visiting Reichel Pugh 63 taking home the bacon. First on line and first with overall handicaps – what a day for the Aussies.


Handicap and Line Honours for Limit the Reichel Pugh 63 owned by Alan Brierty on day one of the Bay of Islands Regatta. Image copyright Cathy Vercoe LuvMyBoat.

Sea Harmony, a Sunfast 52 lead over the start-line, but Limit quickly slipped past followed by the panting-pair, Georgia and Wired. This was the order soon after the beginning of the race and the order at the end. A memorable first day for Division one.

At the top mark Jim Farmer’s Georgia, helmed by Emirates Skipper Dean Barker, flew at the mark on starboard, while Rob Bassett’s Wired attempted to round the buoy on port. But Barker took over and closed the door, leaving Wired with a 720 penalty turn – a distance she was unable to claw back.


Wired a Bakewell-White design owned by Rob Bassett on day one of the Bay of Islands Regatta. Image copyright Cathy Vercoe LuvMyBoat.

In the multihull division G3, a 60 foot trimaran, was gone for dust (had she been on land)....then adding insult to injury she literally flew through the A Division boats, offering spectators quality viewing by running home under colourful spinnaker. Simon Hull will be happy with a double win for both races on first day of racing here in the Bay.

Note from SailRaceWin: Jim Farmer's TP52, that Dean Barker is driving here (top image), was taken from the same mould as the Emirates Team New Zealand TP52 with which they won the Audi MedCup in 2009 in fine style.

Bay of Islands Sailing Week