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Tall stories will be just as important as the racing when the Russell Boating Club host their 44th annual tall ships regatta next January.
Three 'light-hearted' races will be sailed for tall ships (monohulls, 9m minimum, two or more masts), classic invitations (6.7m minimum, any rig) and allcomers, including multihulls (6.7m minimum).
It's one of the highlights on the Bay of Islands' sailing calendar and is more of a social occasion than serious race.
This year's race featured 63 entrants, well down on previous years, but this was largely due to a storm that blew through on the eve of the event and put off a number of boaties from making the trek.
Marie Tomasia, a gaff-rigged ketch from Waiheke, won the tall ships division and Xanadu, a John Spencer sloop, took out the classic division.
The racing will start off Russell at noon on January 12, 2019, with entry $30 per boat.
Email tallships@russellboatingclub.org.nz for more information.
