Tidelines: Big field for 50th Auckland-Suva race

The 50th Auckland-Suva race starts off Orakei Wharf on Saturday, June 4. Wanderer (Tom Buchanan) won the inaugural 1956 event in 11 days, 12 hours, 33 minutes from Matuku (John Lidgard). Four of the 13 starters withdrew, which wasn't surprising since none was longer than 36 feet (7.9m). Royal Akarana Yacht Club is expecting a big field for the anniversary race, including many veterans who sailed the top boats that raced in the 70s. Entries close on Monday, May 2.

Volvo continuing youth programme

Volvo Ocean Race has announced it will continue sponsorship of the Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships for the next two years. The company has supported the event since the first regatta in Cape Town in 1998. Next year's event will be in Weymouth from July 12 to 21 and San Diego will host the 2007 series, also from July 12 to 21. Known as the Youth Olympics, the regattas will host around 300 young sailors in four disciplines, Laser, Hobie Cat, 420 and Mistral board. VOR chief executive Glen Bourke says the company's sailing strategy has always been to provide the broadest possible support for sailing from children's events to youth classes through to the pinnacle, the Volvo Ocean Race every four years.

This year's event will be sailed out of Busan, Korea, from July 14 to 23.

Water-watch

The round-Rangitoto race for classic yachts today kicks off the weekend sailing programme.

Other activity:

Saturday: Mullet boat series, W/L, Mackay Memorial Trophy (Ponsonby CC); Cruising race (RAYC), Old Fox 7, Lucas Creek (Westhaven YC).

Saturday and Sunday: Farr 10.20 and Farr 38 championships (RNZYS); Townson 32 championships (Bucklands Beach YC); Yachting New Zealand Youthsail (Murrays Bay SC).

Sunday: Two-handed series (BBYC); Ponsonby Challenge Shield, 20-miler (PCC); Closing Day regatta (Richmond YC).

Organisations planning events on or in the Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register in advance with the Auckland Regional Council Customer Service Centre on (09) 366 2000. The 24-hour response number for the ARC maritime unit is (09) 362 0397.

Editorial inquiries to Robin Bailey on (09) 524 4572