Guest Post from Grant & Iris

Grant and Iris's Cadillac charging across the Bay on Day 3

Below, report in "Regatta Ramblings" of the Bay of Islands (NZ) Race Week, which Grant went back to, straight after the delivery of Xena back to Hong Kong.

              BAY of ISLANDS SAILING WEEK

                      REGATTA RAMBLINGS 

                                                    Issue #9 – POST Regatta RR February 2011 - Two pages
                                                                        www.bayofislandssailingweek.org.nz

The Bay of Islands Sailing Week is an annual event that makes a statement; an opportunity to enjoy alternative racing, new and varied courses, mixed and unknown challengers along with a change of race atmosphere within New Zealand.

This year enthusiastic competitors experienced easy days and tough days of racing  with three different weather patterns -  light – medium – brisk; a draw card in racing.

Having 132 registered boats, there was a huge increase of interest in the Bay of Islands Sailing Week website. Total visits for the week from about 6,000 unique visitors - (approximately 85% from New Zealand).  The data transfer mostly from the Photo Gallery is quite amazing; happy racers finding their images either on the ocean or in the tent. Speaking of which – more images were added on the last few pages of PEOPLE

Thank you to Pete Montgomery for offering personal time to support the Bay Regatta. It’s an important job presenting prizes, efficiently turning winners toward the camera for that crucial top shot.  Your presence was appreciated Pete.  The Romeyn Woodcraft Trophies are pretty precious ‘to have and to hold”.

[...]

AND THE WINNERS of the three Major SPOT Prizes:

1.     Clive Wright (Tigre) Two nights (all inclusive except alcohol) in the beautiful Bay of Islands aboard the fabulous Cotton Blossom charter boat. Thank you Doug & Vonnie France                                                                                                     

2      Joel Payne -  1st of 2 prizes donated by Great Escape Charters Bay of Islands – an exciting two day charter aboard  a Nolex 25

3      Anne Hirst – 2nd of 2 prizes - A fun two day charter from Great Escape Charters Bay of Islands. Thank you Terry and Cindy Dunn for two special Spot Prizes

January 2012 will be the 10^th anniversary of Bay of Islands Sailing Week. The first Regatta Ramblings for 2012 will be next June with information and firm dates. Some new ideas are already on the table......