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BMW, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) and Bucklands Beach Yacht Club (BBYC) today announced details of the inaugural BMW Auckland Regatta Week, a brand new sailing event to be held 29 February to 5 March 2008.
Auckland’s ultimate regatta week will combine divisions including the IRC Nationals, classic yachts, multihulls and sports boats, and is expected to attract top-class, amateur sailors from around the country.
The three-day BMW Auckland Regatta will consist of windward-leeward and harbour courses and will use an international jury. RNZYS and BBYC have combined resources to create BMW Auckland Regatta Week which is an extension of the existing Moutihe Regatta.
Ross Masters, Rear Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron says three-day regattas are a great way to improve crew skills.
“With consecutive races,” he says, “you can continually look at how you can improve your sailing so if you have a slow gybe in one race, you can talk about it, sort it out and do better next time. That’s much easier if next time is the next race away, rather than two weeks away as in a normal race series.”
BMW Group New Zealand Managing Director, Mark Gilbert says he expects the BMW Auckland Regatta to become a landmark event on the New Zealand sailing calendar.
“The city of sails now has a standalone event that represents the spirit of competitive amateur sailing at its very best,” he says.
“The BMW Auckland Regatta further demonstrates the strong emphasis BMW places on sailing from amateur events through to BMW ORACLE Racing’s quest for the America’s Cup,” says Mr Gilbert.
Divisional winners in the BMW Auckland Regatta will progress to the New Zealand BMW Sailing Cup final in the MRX fleet immediately following the Regatta. The winner of this event will be invited to compete at the BMW Sailing Cup world finals in Dubai, in April 2008.
The Organising Authorities
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS)
101 Currant Street, Westhaven
P.O.Box 46 182, Herne Bay, Auckland
Telephone 09 360 6800 Fax 09 360 6816
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club (BBYC)
Half Moon Bay Marina, Bucklands Beach
P.O.Box 54 005, Bucklands Beach, Auckland
Telephone 09 534 3046 Fax 09 534 3242
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