(Photo - Ian Roman)

On the first day of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland regatta the wind did not appear until well into the afternoon. Although bright sunshine and late summer temperatures greeted the sailors it was not until 14:30 that the first match, between ALL4ONE and Mascalzone Latino got underway in a seven knot Northerly over a 1.5 mile leg length course in the Rangitoto Channel. All4One, the French/German team, won the right hand side and lead at the first windward mark by 19 seconds going on to extend their lead to take the race and win their first point by 44 seconds.

TEAMORIGIN were scheduled to race in the second start against the Italian team AZZURRA, the team that won the Louis Vuitton Trophy Nice regatta in November last year.

Skipper Ben Ainslie made a good entry from the starboard end and fought for and won the right hand side which had appeared favoured in the first race on the same course. The Italian team, on the left hand side of the course, managed to keep the battle close up the first beat, the pair converging twice before the power of the right hand side forced the Italian team back away to the left. The Italians did however manage to stay very much in touch.

Clipper Events, together with a host of pledging companies and in partnership with the Anderson Group, helped to raise more than £100,000 in aid of the National Autistic Society in just one day of fundraising.

The highest earning lot was a day’s racing on the Clipper fleet of 68 foot ocean racing yachts. It was snapped up by bidders keen to sail on the unique fleet, whilst supporting the charity.

Mark Anderson, Chairman of the Anderson Group, said, “Bearing in mind the current economic climate and the atrocious weather conditions, with the snow keeping many away, to raise that much money was very pleasing. Autism currently affects approximately one in 100 children in the UK and for these children, their families, carers and professionals who support them, the NAS is a rock. We’re looking forward to seeing what the funds raised this year will achieve.” 

The funds will help deliver the valuable support and services needed by autism sufferers, making a positive difference to the quality of their lives.

(Photo - Robert Alpe - Andrea Francolini)

The theme of this year’s Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta was undoubtedly “small is fast”, after two smaller yachts took the lead of the Audi IRC Australian Championship away from the better known big boats, and then last night the owner/skipper of an 8.9 metre (29.2ft) International Dragon keelboat was victorious in the Audi Final Challenge after first winning his division, and then the Audi Final Challenge drive event.

For his efforts, Robert Alpe, a member of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron drove away in a brand new Audi A4 Avant 1.8 TFSI multitronic last night.

Mr Alpe, from the northern suburbs, was astounded when Anna Burgdorf, Audi’s General Manager Corporate Communications, announced his name at the official prize giving held last night at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, host of the Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta.

“We encourage yachts of all sizes to enter the Audi Sydney Harbour Regatta,” Ms Burgdorf said.