Tidelines: Noumea dividend

Big money is at stake for quick monohulls in the 2004 Auckland-Noumea race that starts on Saturday, June 5. The first monohull yacht no longer than 55ft (20m) overall to finish in less than four days (96 hours) from the start at Orakei Wharf will win $20,000. The race, organised by the Royal Akarana Yacht Club and Circle Nautique Caledonien, was first held in 1964 and revived by Akarana in 2001 after a long break. Entries close on May 6.

DOYLE MERGER

The Doyle Marblehead and Doyle New Zealand sail lofts have been merged into a single business entity, Doyle Sails International, which the company says makes it the world's second-largest sailmaker. Doyle veterans Chris McMaster, Kristen Heissenbuttel, Richard Bouzaid and Bob Meagher will run the new company. McMaster and Heissenbuttel will initially concentrate on integrating the Auckland and Marblehead lofts, Bouzaid will head the international design team and oversee grand prix race projects, and Meagher will assume the role of franchisee group manager. The company has a global network of 65 Doyle lofts and agents.

RACING CHANGE

Richmond Yacht Club's winter racing format is changing this year. The three-person short-handed and fully crewed races will be combined rather than running on alternate weekends as in the past. The eight-race series starts on Sunday, May 9, with spinnaker and no extras divisions and special divisions for boats up to 26ft (7.9m). More on www.richmondyc.org.nz


The Women's National Match-Racing championships continue this weekend. Other activity:

Saturday: Closing day racing, including Classics (Ponsonby CC); Old Fox 6, Paremoremo Wharf (Westhaven YC).

Saturday and Sunday: Women's match-racing championships (RNZYS).

Sunday: Anzac Day regatta (Victoria CC).

* Clubs and organisations planning events in or on the Waitemata or Manukau harbours should register well 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.