Global domination in overnight yacht race to Tarakohe

The Waikawa Boating Club’s annual Marlborough Sounds to Tarakohe was raced over the weekend with the race record on the line and crew new to overnight racing shining through. The 85-mile course starts at Motuara Island in Queen Charlotte Sound, sails out through Cook Strait, around Stephens Island, and down into Port Tarakohe in Tasman’s Golden Bay.

Line honours in the fully crewed division went to Global under skipper Tony Turnbull who covered the course in 20 hours 14 minutes, just one minute off the race record. Global put two hours on second place Khamsin (22 hours 27 minutes) and third place Prime Suspect just three minutes behind them. Global’s excellent time around the course was enough for them to also take first place on corrected time after the handicaps were applied.

Simply Irresistible took the two-handed line honours in 21 hours 15 minutes but finished second on corrected time to Erazer, the smallest boat in the fleet. As if the 85-mile race wasn’t enough for Chris Hitchings and crewmate, David May, they then turned Simply Irresistible around and sailed home to Lyttleton for some much needed maintenance.

While Hitchings does a lot of night sailing, this was the first time he had raced overnight. Hitchings said, “we loved the race but learnt a few lessons, particularly on current and tidal push which was greater than expected. The winds surprised us a bit. 15 knots in Lyttleton would be a good breeze, it didn’t seem to be enough up there”.

Also racing in her first overnight race was 17-year-old Rebekah Amos on Coup d’Etat. In only her fourth year of sailing, Rebekah had the job of trimming the headsail. Rebekah said, “I’ve had a few hours of night sailing on Spirit of New Zealand in February last year, but this was my first overnight race”. Amos said that there was some time to appreciate the surroundings, “at night the dolphins and phosphorescence make a lovely combo”.

Rebekah started on Optimists at the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club in Picton and has had three years racing keelers with the Waikawa Boating Club. When asked what’s next, Rebekah says, “I’ve got some courses in mind for when I finish school to ideally then crew for superyacht owners”.

Waikawa Boating Club, manager, Lisa Delaveau said, “the path Rebekah is taking is a real option for young women in sailing. The Evolution Sails Women’s Regatta in September is an event that women of all abilities can take part in and hopefully Rebekah will be around for that”.

“All of these longer distance races really on the sailing community coming together. The Pohara Boat Club hosted a dinner and prize giving and Port Tarakohe arranged berths for the boats. We simply couldn’t do this without them”.

Next races:

Evolutions Sails Women’s Regatta – 18-19 September 2021

Wine Works Marlborough to Wellington Wine Race – 15 October 2021

Giesens New Year Regatta – 8-9 January 2022

PHOTO: Race to Tarakohe 2021 Khamsin at sunset

For more information

Lisa Delaveau

Club Manager

Waikawa Boating Club

+64 3 573 6798

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