Three days of yachting

Press, 3 February 1984, Page 14

Three days of yachting

Yachts of every size, shape and description will take to the waters of Lyttelton Harbour for three days from tomorrow for the major regatta of the Canterbury Yachting Association’s season.

There will be catamarans to International Moths; boardsailers to keelers in action during a hectic programme of five races, two each on Saturday and Sunday and the last on Monday morning.

If the various types of trailer yachts are counted, nearly 30’ different classes will be racing together in the Waterbed World-spon-sored regatta.

The convener, Mrs Alison Elder, expects at least 250 entries, which will be taken on the day. Numbers at recent regattas have slipped slightly, but everything points to a reversal this year.

For a start, the regatta will be held during a low tide week-end, which means many of the Canterbury clubs could not hold competition sailing of their own; and as Waitangi Day falls on a Monday, the racing will be spread out over three days, instead of one. In fact, this is the first year in which every yacht club in Canterbury has become involved, and it is hoped some Picton helmsmen will join the party as well. A true carnival spirit is likely on Monday afternoon. Sea Scouts will compete in a rowing race; there is an inter-club relay, run by the Waimakariri Sailing Club; Noelex trailer yachts will contest the Commodore’s race; and Linwood High School, St Andrew’s College and Christchurch Boys’ High School will take part in the secondary schools’ competition racing.