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Entries open for 2024 Bay of Islands Sailing Week

Entries are now open for the next edition of NZ’s biggest multi-day keelboat regatta – Bay of Islands Sailing Week, to be held from 23-26 January 2024.

The Bay of Islands Sailing Week is hugely popular among the sailing community in New Zealand, with many sailors regarding it as the highlight of the annual yacht racing calendar.

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The event, “NZ’s best big boat regatta” according to yachting commentator PJ Montgomery, offers three days of high calibre racing with a lively festival ambiance on shore in a world class visitor destination. and regularly draws well over 100 boats and their crews from across New Zealand and overseas.

The organisers have announced that they intend to elevate the festive vibe further this year by relocating the regatta to a new site near the Bay of Islands Marina and Opua launching ramp.

Regatta Committee Chair Ian Clouston says the new venue will mean easier access, more space, and better views for regatta participants to enjoy.

“We’ve been working closely with Far North Holdings Ltd on the new venue, and we’re pleased to be able to move the event hub there. We’ll have the marquee overlooking the marina, which is a great backdrop, and it’s much more central, so it’ll be closer for most participants. There’s more room, too, so we’ll be able to offer a lot more for the sailors to enjoy before and after racing each day.”

Now entering its 22nd year, the regatta has had a challenging few years of late, with the 2022 event cancelled due to Covid restrictions and the 2023 event affected by bad weather.

The organisers are optimistic that the 2024 regatta will return to the regatta’s heyday and aim for a new record attendance.

“Our previous record for entries just before Covid came along was 139 boats”, Clouston says, “and of course, we’re always trying to make it bigger and better than before.

“There’s also the inaugural Sydney to Auckland race in October this year, so we might see a few more international entries if owners decide to keep their boats in New Zealand to take part in events here, and Bay of Islands Sailing Week would have to be one on a lot of Aussie sailors’ lists.”

Bay of Islands Sailing Week takes place from 23 to 26 January 2024, with racing throughout the stunning Bay of Islands and evening entertainment in Opua.

The Notice of Race is available on the website, and entries are invited from keelboats, multihulls, trailer yachts, and sports boats.

Photography: Lissa Photography

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