CBRE CITY OF SAILS AUCKLAND REGATTA – EARLY BIRD ENTRY – ANARCHY RACING

AJ Reid and his BW40 Anarchy is the first 40 footer entered into the 2022 edition of the CBRE City of Sails Auckland Regatta and is ready to give the regatta another crack. Anarchy hasn’t missed an Auckland Regatta since it’s launch in 2015 and AJ has spent time competing in the event on various boats beforehand. We caught up with AJ about the how much he loves the Regatta, his crew and his boat!

What’s the best part of Anarchy and why do you love windward leewards with her?

W’L/s are a hoot on Anarchy – for two reasons. The boat is very responsive to good trimming and driving, so no excuses for being slow, and also because in the 40R fleet, the relative boat speeds are very similar, which makes for a very exacting first beat. Mark roundings are always close and contested, so every metre of gain is gold. 

How many years in a row have you done this event now, or is this your first time?

We first competed back in 2010, when it was the BMW Akld regatta, with a Beneteau 34.7 called First by Farr, finishing 2nd in Div C. We’ve competed every year since then with the Benny, then with Django, a J/111, then since 2015 with Anarchy. Narrowly squeaked a win in the now glamour 40R division in 2021.   

What are you and your crew aiming to improve or do this year differently?

In terms of what we’ll do differently next time around, it is likely to be a bit more of the same, only better. We had a super exciting regatta earlier this year, and won by the narrowest possible margin. We will certainly be aiming to make tiny gains – better starts, better manoeuvres, sound tactics and minimal mistakes. No real secrets there but that’s how to win a regatta.  

What’s your favourite thing about sailing the Anarchy, or your team?

The boat is a fast, fun, uncompromising, race-winning all-rounder, which was what we’d hoped for after launching in 2015. But more importantly, the Anarchy crew is tight-knit, highly competitive, experienced and also knows instinctively how to relax post racing. We’ve been sailing together – most of us – for 5+ years now and so we’ve all made most of the mistakes you can on a racing yacht. Which doesn’t mean we won’t make the same mistakes again…..!

CBRE City of Sails Auckland Regatta Information and entries are now open HERE