Race south for Easter weekend

A preview of the Quantum Sails Auckland to Tauranga Race

The Quantum Sails Auckland to Tauranga Race means different things for the two cities involved:

For Auckland it is a dramatic race start, where high calibre 50 footers line up for the coastal sprint alongside family cruisers. For Tauranga, it means an influx of boats and sailors and marks the beginning of the long Easter weekend, and a prizegiving and celebration that can extend into the small hours.

The Quantum Sails Auckland to Tauranga Race has been held in some shape or form for over 100 years, but 2007 marks the 22nd anniversary of its current format - a long sprint down the east coast of the North Island, in conditions that range from open and often unpredictable waters, to sheltered harbour sailing, where the race starts and finishes.

"The coast between Auckland and Tauranga is unique, and in the prevailing south-wester it offers a mix of points of sail and opportunities for boats to pass each other," says race spokesperson Ray Findlay of the Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club. "The terrain makes it one of the truest tests of a boat’s speed and its crew’s ability."

New this year is a ‘hotrod’ division for similarly paced boats of around 30 feet. Entrants are expected to range in size from approximately 28 foot to 60 foot.

The outright record of 9 hrs 35 mins is held by the 30m supermaxi Zana, and was set in the 2004 race. Maximus missed setting a new record in 2005 by only a few minutes. Sundreamer holds the multihull record of 9.55.23.

The race starts at 10am on Thursday 5 April from Westhaven Marina in Auckland and finishes in Tauranga Harbour. Sponsors include Quantum Sails NZ Ltd, Crew.org.nz and Steve’s Marine Supplies.