Lake Wanaka skiff makes waves at America’s Cup regatta

With the eyes of the yachting world turned to San Francisco Bay for another epic battle for the America’s Cup, sharp-eyed spectators will see another piece of New Zealand making waves, this time in one of the sailing extravaganza’s supporting races – the Nespresso 18′ International Skiff Regatta.

The Lake Wanaka boat is hard to miss with the striking colours of Lake Wanaka Tourism on its mainsheet and spinnaker. Skipper, Kez Cameron, who has family connections to the region, is joined by Stephen Jones (mainsheet) who works for Air New Zealand and 16-year-old Tim Snedden (bowman), a member of the Mahurangi College sailing squad that will be representing New Zealand at the 2013 Interdominion Regatta in Australia next month.

James Helmore, Lake Wanaka Tourism’s ‘Admiral of the Fleet’, said it was an easy decision to support Kez and his crew.

“Covering entry fees and adding the Lake Wanaka brand to the skiff’s sails was a no-brainer considering the global exposure we’ll enjoy during the world’s premier festival of yachting and at other regattas afterwards on both sides of the Tasman,” he said.

“We’ve been receiving some awesome photos back from Kez’s photographer brother, Garrick, who’s out there showing national and family support. He’s usually captured Lake Wanaka ahead of Oracle when both classes have been out on the water at the same time so it’s great to see another Kiwi boat in front, especially with its Lake Wanaka-branded mainsail trimmed perfectly!”

Mr Helmore added that he was confident that Emirates Team New Zealand outstanding early results will lead to victory and joked he’d be putting in a bid to host the next competition.

“You never know – we’ve got the open water, wind and plenty of room to watch the action. I hear Wanaka Yatch Club is already extending the marina and organising a sausage sizzle! The skippers could be pampered in a boutique lodge while the crew bunk up in a backpackers. If there’s no wind on a race day, everyone can go skydiving, enjoy a round of golf or just head to the lakefront bars for a glass of rum,” he said.

Lake Wanaka is competing in the Nespresso 18′ International Skiff Regatta against other crews from New Zealand as well as Australia, USA, Denmark, Germany and Great Britain. They are racing for the Mark Foy Trophy, named after the Australian businessman who successfully introduced 18-foot sailboat racing to a spectator audience in the late 19th century.

Racing began last Sunday (8 September) with the last of the scheduled races this coming Sunday (15 September). Tomorrow (Thursday afternoon, Pacific time) sees the traditional 5.3-nautical mile Bridge to Bridge race between the iconic Golden Gate and Bay Bridges straight after round eight of the America’s Cup final series between Emirates Team New Zealand and Oracle Team USA.

San Francisco’s St. Francis Yacht Club is managing this year’s event independent of the America’s Cup with the two competitions sharing the waterfront on race days. The skiff races add an extra spectacle for ‘yatchies’ sitting on the famous ‘dock of the bay’ or watching TV coverage all over the world.

The 18’ skiff class is regarded as an excellent grounding for high speed racing such as the America’s Cup, Clipper Round the World and Volvo Ocean Race (formerly the Whitbread Round the World Race). Grant Dalton, seven-time round-the-world racer and current managing director of Team New Zealand, is himself an experienced18’ skiff sailor.

Lake Wanaka lies in the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. In addition to yachting on its nearby lakes the region offers a host of activities including golf, wineries, skydiving, jetboating, canyoning, tramping, scenic flights, skiing and kayaking. Lake Wanaka enjoys a wide variety of accommodation, dining and entertainment options from luxury boutique hotels to backpackers and award-winning gourmet restaurants to funky cafes.

For more information visit www.lakewanaka.co.nz