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A fabulous day on the water is promised as Auckland's Waitemata Harbour comes alive in one of the world's biggest one-day regattas.

January 28 2013 is Auckland’s Anniversary Day celebrating the founding of the province. And to commemorate the day, one of the world’s single biggest one day sailing regattas will take place – 173 years after the first one back in 1840, with a glorious spectacle featuring the vintage superstars of the past and the high tech heralds of the future,.

The Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta attracts a huge fleet of vessels including, tall ships, gaff riggers, sloops, racing keelers, multi-hulls, sailing dinghies, radio controlled boats, waka ama, elegant sea scout craft, perfectly restored classic yachts, an armada of over 20 vintage tugboats and America’s Cup prototypes.

It’s a great day out for sailors and thousands of spectators who can see the maritime and trading history of our city in action under paddle, sail and steam power.

We expect to see the whole of the Viaduct and Wynyard Quarter area turning into ‘party central’ with free entertainment for all the family including exciting dragon boat and waka ama racing.

If you are a sailor, entries open in November 2012 when we’ll be sending out the official race book with all the details of competitions for each class. For updates on the programme keep an eye on this website or checkout our new Facebook page– we want you to like it!.

Programme:

The scene will be set on:

Sunday 27 January: Viaduct Harbour

A rare opportunity to see our wonderful fleet of heritage vessels up close as they berth in the Viaduct Harbour from late afternoon until
Monday morning.
A European flavour will prevail with the vessels being lit up Mediterranean style

Monday 28 January: Waitemata Harbour

8.30am: Tugboat Parade

Tugboats young and old will gather at the entrance to the Viaduct Harbour and parade up to their start line off North Head.

9.00am: Tugboat Race

Watch this amazing display of manoeuvrability and speed as these wonderful craft roar up the channel, round Narrow Neck Buoy and return to finish off Devonport Wharf - best vantage points are North Head, East Coast Bays beaches, Devonport and Devonport Wharf.
10.30am Fire fighting display off the Viaduct followed by a Parade through the Viaduct.

9.00am: Waka ama Race from Okahu Bay to Princes Wharf
Followed by race displays off North Wharf till 1.00pm when the canoes will offer the public a chance to ‘have a go’ from off the Tidal Steps until 4.00pm.

9.00am: Dragon Boat racing commences in the Viaduct Harbour

300 keen dragon boat paddlers of all ages come together to race the 9m long dragon boats timed by enthusiastic drummers over a 200m race course in the Viaduct. Its a mass of splashing, power and adrenalin over the journey that lasts less than 50 seconds!
Best viewing points: Waitemata Plaza, Te Whero Island or most of the restaurants in the Viaduct.

10.00am: First Start off Princes Wharf

Races start off Princes Wharf, downtown Auckland at 5 minute intervals
10.25am: Division One Keelers
10.30am: A Classic and A Modern Classic Divisions
10.35am: B Classic and B Modern Classic Divisions
10.45am: Tall Ships and Waka

12.00noon: Harbour Challenge starts off Orakei Wharf

See some of the fastest boats on the water take off in a vision of colour and speed as they head off around their harbour course

Best spectator vantage points are Bastion Point, North Head, East Coast Bays, Tamaki Drive, Orakei, Queen & Princes Wharves.

Other events to watch out for:

10.00am: Radio Controlled Yachts

Be sure to see this amazing display of yachting skill 'America's Cup' style, controlled from the land.
Electrons - Marine Association Pontoon, Westhaven Marina.
International One Metre and Nautic 12 fleets – Wattle Farm, Manurewa.

From 10.00am: Centreboard Classes

9.45am: Narrowneck Beach - Sea Scouts

10.00am:   Maraetai Sailing Club - Starling - Auckland Championships
                  Wakatere Boating Club (Optimist - Auckland Championships, Sunburst and Hobie 16’s)
11.00am:   Kohimarama Yacht Club – P Class, Starling, Arrow,NS 14, Splash, 29er, RS:X and Techno Boards
                  Northcote Birkenhead Yacht Club – Idle Along, Navy Crown, YW Heron, X3, 2.4mR, Access Liberty,
                  Jolly Boats
12.30pm:   Tamaki Yacht Club – Laser, Laser Radial, Laser 4.7, Mistral and Phase II

10.30am: First boats expected at Princes Wharf from:

Mahurangi, Rakino Island and Waiheke: featuring Keelboats and Trailer Yachts