Regatta comes to Mercury Bay at Matariki.

Despite the setbacks caused by Cyclone’s Hale and Gabriel, the Mercury Bay Boating Club will be hosting the Elliott 5.9 fleet once again this year, for the third year in a row. The racing will take place this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, 15 – 16 July.

“Competitors from this class will travel from around the country to compete in the beautiful waters of Mercury Bay,” says Commodore Jonathan Kline. “The Elliott 5.9 class is a highly competitive one design fleet. Racing is tight and with no handicapping required the racing is exciting, with plenty of close quarters manoeuvring and tactics.”

He adds, “We are pleased to have this fleet returning to our waters. With three crew on each boat, plus support crew and family, this fleet brings a good number of visitors to our town. With our very talented and experienced race management team, we look forward to hosting another successful event.”

This Regatta will run just as successfully based out of the Whitianga Marina and not the club house of the Boating Club which is still up on stilts. Of course the competitors and organisers will miss having the club rooms for the briefings and socials. Each morning of the event, The racing yachts will be towed out from the marina. Jonathan invites the community to come and see the action on the water or stop by the marina in the early mornings or late afternoons to check out the yachts up close and talk to the crews.

Caption: Boats from Mercury Bay Boating Club Event.