Racing Highlights
As the sun climbed higher, the focus shifted to the water. The divisions lined up, ready to take on the courses set for the day.
Open Division A
Open Division A led the charge with three races planned—a combination of Windward/Leeward and a Bay Race. Menace, a sleek and agile Melges 40, helmed by Howard Spencer, claimed the first race of the day (24:46), just edging out Sassinate, another Melges 40 skippered by Mikayla Plaw. Sassinate struck back in the second race, clinching the win (34:16) and maintaining their momentum into Race 6 with a stellar time of 01:19:18. Day 2 proved pivotal for Sassinate, whose consistent Day 1 and day 2 performances solidified their lead in both the Line Honours and PHRF Handicap standings.
Young 88 Division
In the Young 88 Division, the competition was just as intense. Young Magic, a 1986 Young 88 skippered by Matthew Mason, showed remarkable consistency across all three races, winning two (23:42 and 01:48:50) and placing second in the other. Meanwhile, Sailormoon, skippered by Jacko Van Deventer, emerged as a formidable challenger, securing a win in Race 5 and staying in contention for the series lead. Notably, Young Magic’s performance improved from Day 1, where they struggled in the breezy conditions, to dominate on Day 2 with lighter winds favouring their setup.
Sports Boats
The Sports Boats Division saw Angry Dragon, a Shaw 7 skippered by Tom Kiff, dominate with three consecutive wins (29:21, 45:06, and 25:13). Its nimble design and efficient crew work were key to outpacing competitors like Daisy Duke, a Shaw 7, and Animal Biscuits, another Shaw. Angry Dragon’s unyielding lead across both days has made it the team to beat in this division.
Flying 15
The Flying 15s continued their enthralling competition, with Ffrenetic, helmed by Murray Gilbert, taking all three races (42:32, 41:35, and 17:59). The close margins between Ffrenetic and their rivals—The GodFfather and Unknown—highlighted the calibre of this division. Day 2’s calmer conditions played to Ffrenetic’s strengths, allowing them to build on their solid Day 1 foundation and extend their lead in the series.
Open Division Races and Results
The Open Divisions continued to showcase thrilling racing as competitors tackled challenging conditions across their respective courses. With strategic decision-making and standout performances, the results after Race 2 are shaping up to reveal strong contenders for the series titles.
Island Racing Division A
Island Racing Division A raced one Bay Race on Day 1, delivering a dramatic contest among some of the most powerful and competitive yachts in the fleet. In Race 1, Wired claimed Line Honours with an impressive time of 05:14:15, narrowly edging out V5 (05:19:36), while Explore Racing followed with a time of 05:48:06.
Day 2 brought Race 2, another Bay Race, where Wired extended its dominance with a stellar performance, finishing first in Line Honours with a time of 01:52:25. V5 continued to pressure the leader, securing second with a time of 01:59:12, while Equilibrium made its first appearance in the top three, finishing third in 02:03:08.
After factoring in the race drop rule, the standings currently place Wired in first with 2 points. V5 follows in second with 4 points, while Equilibrium holds third with 7 points.
On handicap, the race dynamics shifted: In the EHC Handicap Overall standings, Rehab and Blue Dude share the lead with 3 points each, while Rum Bucket trails in third place with 7 points. For the PHRF Handicap Overall, Blue Dude leads with 2 points, followed by Rehab at 4 points and Kaizen at 7 points.
Island Racing Division B
Division B faced off in their second race of the series today, with the fleet attacking the course in close quarters. Tongue Twister showcased remarkable consistency, crossing the line first with a time of 01:36:08. Nirvana finished second at 01:39:23, barely holding off Champosa VII, which crossed the line just six seconds later at 01:39:29.
In the overall standings, Tongue Twister holds the top spot with 2 points. Handicap results offer more detail. In the EHC Handicap standings, Sham Pain is in contention with 6 points, followed by Blackout with 11. For the PHRF Handicap, Tongue Twister leads with 3 points, ahead of Men at Work 3 (5 points) and Sham Pain (6 points).
Island Racing Division C
Division C hit the water for their Bay Race, delivering a tight contest at the top. Nautilas emerged victorious with a finishing time of 01:45:09, fending off Kantime, which clocked in at 01:46:09. NZ Spars and Rigging took a close third with a time of 01:46:31.
The leaderboard remains tightly contested with three boats—Nautilas, Deep Purple, and Kantime—tied at 5 points each. Handicap results provided additional surprises. In the EHC Handicap standings, Blarzay leads with 2 points, while Hotdogger and Ilex follow with 10 and 11 points, respectively. In the PHRF standings, Ex Machina holds the lead with 5 points, ahead of Hotdogger (6 points) and Deep Purple (7 points).
Island Racing Division D
The Division D fleet delivered a closely fought Bay Race, with Mako II edging out Manga II to secure Line Honours with a time of 01:48:00. Enhance rounded out the top three, finishing at 01:51:27.
The standings after Day 2 place Mako II at the top with 4 points, followed closely by The Racoon and Manga II, both tied with 5 points.
On handicap, the EHC Handicap standings see Manga II and Mako II tied at 7 points, with The Racoon just behind at 8. For the PHRF Handicap, Mako II leads with 3 points, followed by Black Magic (4 points) and Manga II (6 points).
Island Racing Non-Spinnaker Division
The Non-Spinnaker Division added their own flair to the competition, with Zindabar claiming Line Honours in Race 2 with a time of 01:33:17. Longfellow came second, finishing just under a minute behind (01:34:15), while Golden Pond claimed third with a time of 01:43:44.
The standings have Golden Pond leading with 3 points, followed by Longfellow at 5 and Aeolian at 6. Handicap results mirrored these standings for both EHC and PHRF, confirming Golden Pond as the leader, trailed by Longfellow and Aeolian.
As the series progresses, the drop race rule and tactical choices will likely come into play, shaking up the standings. The next set of races promises to further intensify the rivalries, with skippers and crews aiming to refine their strategies and maximise their performance.
Key Trends and Observations
- Consistency Wins Championships: Boats like Sassinate, Young Magic, and Ffrenetic demonstrated the value of steady performances across all races.
- Day 2 Conditions: The lighter winds of Day 2 contrasted with Day 1’s brisk breezes, favouring smaller, more agile boats in several divisions.
With Day 3 promising more action, the Bay of Islands Sailing Week continues to deliver a perfect mix of sport and spectacle.
The Beach Party: A Perfect End
As the second day of racing concluded, the sailors traded their lifejackets for leis and sandals, heading to the much-anticipated beach party. The evening was a celebration of the sport and the unique camaraderie that events like this foster. Under a star-studded sky, tales of the day’s triumphs and near misses were shared over drinks, laughter echoing across the Bay.
