SAILING - Wind comes late to party

The Bay of Islands weather came to the party for its annual Sailing Week regatta out of Opua, with the wind a bit of a latecomer.
Eighty-six yachts came from as far away as Tauranga for the regatta, in its seventh year. Hundreds of people enjoyed last night's traditional beach party, before setting sail again today.
A lack of wind meant racing was delayed for an hour until midday yesterday but, once the boats set sail, it was an awesome sight, racing manager Ray Haslar said.
Instead of canning races due to wind delays, organisers simply shortened them.
Kerikeri boat Fez took line honours in the new premiere passage class (with spinnaker) in 10-15 knot winds on Wednesday but placed seventh out of 11 on handicap. Fez also took line honours yesterday.
Rounding marks for the passage class yachts were Roberton, Moturua and Motukiekie Islands.
Haslar said multi-hulled yachts were a new category and added a new dimension to the regatta.
International flavour alsoadded colour to the regatta. "We've got some American tourists who've sailed here who are taking part, which is great."
A charter boat from Australia had also entered.
Haslar said it was too early to predict who would take out the top spots.