Yachting: One last rum race for 2010

Photo / Will Calver

It started, as these things so often do, with a complaint.

One of those posting comments on the Crew website forum bemoaned the fact all yacht racing in Auckland appeared to die a week before Christmas.

Sure, the boat is all packed up and ready to go, they wrote, but we don't leave until after Christmas Day.

The comment struck a cord with the website's then owner, Zoe Wilde and she suggested a friendly rum race and a quiet drink to follow. The idea took hold and the event is now, thanks to support from Mariner Marine Insurance and Mount Gay Rum, fast becoming a "must do" for those still at their berth in the last week before Christmas.

This year's Mariner Marine Insurance/Crew.org.nz Rum Race will take place on Wednesday, December 22. Run out of the Richmond Yacht Club, it will feature a Mark Foy (staggered) start with the first boat away at 5.45pm.

"The handicaps are being worked out by Mark Mulcare, who operates Racetrack.org.nz.," says David Howie, Crew.org.nz's current owner. "If he gets it right, the boats will all converge on the finish line at Westhaven around 7.30 pm."

The race will be followed, at 8.30pm, by a prize-giving at the Richmond Yacht Club.

"In a first this year, there will also be live music and dancing with 60s 70s and 80s cover band Soulbooth."

Howie says the race is intended as a fun event.

"Many skippers use it as an opportunity to introduce 'newbies' to the joy of sailing," he says.

Both Howie and Aaron Mortimer, from major sponsor Mariner Marine Insurance, are expecting a big field.

"The event continues to grow," says Mortimer. "With entry open to anything that floats and is pushed by the wind, I really think we can crack 100 entries this year."

Those interested can enter online at Crew.org.nz.