Issue date
Labour weekend saw the 24th running of the Aviemore Classic sailed on Lake Aviemore out of Otematata Harbour, organised and run by the Timaru Yacht & Powerboat Club and this year supported by Trust Aoraki. Results are here.
The South Island Otago Trailer Yacht Championships attracted 70 entries and were sailed on Saturday along with a fun race in a variety of winds from flat calm to a brisk southwesterly wind.
Yachts travelled to Lake Aviemore from as far afield as Picton and Invercargill with some people flying in from Wellington to crew on local yachts.
The main event sailed on Sunday was the Trust Aoraki Aviemore Classic where all yachts participated in one long race starting at 1000 and finishing around 1400 in what would be described as survival conditions in very strong westerly winds gusting up over 23 knots and averaging 18 to 20 knots.
A lot of yachts sustained some damage with 15 withdrawals and crew coming away with numerous bruises and sprains.
Many a good yarn was heard that night as crews recounted near misses after falling off one and a half metre waves and crew being thrown around the cockpit.
“The organising team including Les Baker (Race Officer), Laurence Smith (Convener for Classic Event) and Ivan Stevenson (past Commodore) have built a caravan which is used as the race secretary’s office complete with a bed for her and they erect a borrowed marquee complete with wooden floor and temporary kitchen including running hot and cold water, power generator, gas heaters, BBQ and fridge,” explains Kate Spackman, YNZ Regional Support Officer.
“On Saturday night the SKY dish was installed and the rugby was projected on to a sail strung along the back wall. Most people park their yachts along the back stern in and camp there for the weekend.”
Next year Timaru Yacht & Powerboat Club will celebrate the 25th year of running this event and the Club are looking at some interesting ideas.
By Laurence Smith (as edited by YNZ)
Rear Commodore Trailer Yacht Section, TYPBC and Convener for Classic Event.
