Model yacht comp blows into the Bay

People from all over New Zealand and Australia are expected to participate in the 2010 National Championship Regatta for model yachts, which is being held in Tauranga.
The Tauranga Radio Sailing Club is organising the event being held March 20-22 at Taurikura Lake in The Lakes Subdivision in Tauriko.

John Braid setting sail to his one metre international radio controlled yacht. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

This will be the first time the regatta has been held in Tauranga and over 30 entries are expected.
Tauranga Radio Sailing Club member Michael Bachelor says one quarter of the entries originated from Australia when the event was held in Kerikeri in 2008.
“If this regatta is a success it is likely that the New Zealand Radio Yachting Association will allocate other national class championships to Tauranga, such as the Marblehead and Nautic classes.”
Michael says members of the public are welcome to watch the event and the developer at The Lakes Subdivision, Grasshopper Properties, has provided a wharf and jetty on the western bank, north of the bridge, which can be accessed via Landing Drive for viewing.
“The site at the lake is well suited to spectators with an elevated bank overlooking the racing area.”
Michael says spectators should bring chairs and sun umbrellas.
“It will be a lively scene and plenty of ‘incidents’ between competing yachts, and close finishes.”
“We aim to run up to 15 heats per day with approximately 12 yachts in each. A promotion relegation system ensures that all yachts get a more or less equal amount of sailing, no matter how they perform.”  Like many of those participating in the regatta, Michael says the principles of sailing a model yacht are the same used when operating a real yacht.
“It’s a good test of your ability to read the wind and the waves. You get just as much pleasure out of a good result and just as much frustration when things don’t go right.”