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The southern hemisphere’s largest small boat sailing regatta, proudly supported by Volvo Cars New Zealand is set for its 13th edition at the Torbay Sailing Club.
Over 400 yachts are expected to compete in the Sir Peter Blake Torbay Regatta on the weekend of 6/7 December. None will be more spectacular than the single-handed foiling moth class. This unrestricted design has evolved into a super-light high-tech canoe body supported on hydro-foils whereby the sailor and craft fly a metre above the water surface. The resulting lower drag means these small wind powered craft can reach speeds in the 20 knot range.
The speeds, and light-weight narrow hulls mean these yachts are extremely sensitive and require quick reactions and a good intuitive feel for the relationship between sail angle, foil angles and the sailor’s body position. As a consequence, the foiling moth is being used by Emirates Team New Zealand and other America’s Cup teams to train in.
Peter Burling, winner of the Sir Peter Blake Trophy in 2005 at the Emirates Team New Zealand training camp in a foiling moth 2014. Photo: Hamish Hooper and courtesy Emirates Team New Zealand
At this year’s Sir Peter Blake regatta key crew members from Emirates Team New Zealand; Dean Barker, Ray Davies, Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, will compete in the foiling moth class. Peter Burling is a previous winner of the Sir Peter Blake Trophy which is awarded to the top youth sailor at each year’s regatta.
The Blake regatta honours the memory and legacy of New Zealand’s most widely respected offshore yachtsman. Sir Peter Blake led New Zealand teams to victory in around the world yacht races, and the America’s Cup.
Sir Peter Blake’s Steinlager 2, winner of the 1989/90 Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race will be anchored off Waiake Beach, Torbay during the Sir Peter Blake Regatta. Photo: Courtesy of New Zealand Sailing Trust.
2014 marks the 25th anniversary of the victory of the Blake skippered Steinlager 2 which won every leg of the 1989/90 around the world yacht race. The beautifully restored yacht, now owned by the New Zealand Sailing Trust, will attend the regatta and will be anchored off Waiake beach at Torbay. Ex crew members from the campaign will attend the regatta prize-giving on Sunday 7 December.
For more information see www.blakeregatta.co.nz or contact:
Torbay Sailing Club Vice-Patron Mark Orams 021 873 664
Torbay Sailing Club Commodore Mike Kelly 021 938 94
