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ePaper created 2014-06-11, 13:05:34 | version 1.30.01
54 off Orakei Wharf. The average race might have consisted of some combination of the following; miles of fast reaching, a long and glorious spinnaker run, and then hours of beating to windward with most of the crew hiked out on the windward rail, sometimes in absolutely miserable conditions. Split-second tactical decisions and close boat-to-boat sailing were usually a few moments of excitement sandwiched between hours of boredom. Over the years,more than a few of these yachties decided that this was not the most exciting or pleasurable way to burn up half of their precious weekend. Inotherpartsof theworld,startingaroundthelate1930’s,anexcitingnewtypeof competitioncalledmatchracingbegantoappear. Match racing differs from fleet racing in that it is a contest between two yachts only. In a fleet race, with three or more yachts competing, the skipper’s challenge is to find the fastest way around the course. Fleet racing often involves yachts of different sizes and designs,so final results are usually based upon some sort of complex handicapping system which makes corrections to the time saileddependingontherelativeperformanceof theyachts. Finalresultsaredeterminedwithacombinationof voodooandnumber crunching,are usually unknown to the participants until the prize giving. Match race yachts are usually identical, if not very closely matched, so competition is based almost entirely upon sailing skills and tactical ability. It is not a competition based on the best design or which owner has the deepest pockets and can afford the best sails, gear and crew. In match racing, the skipper must focus solely on crossing the finish line ahead of his or her opponent. The race course is generally a series of short windward and leeward (upwind and downwind) legs. Rules for match racing vary slightly from fleet racing,and accordingly,so do the tactics. The fundamental tactics of match racing involve tight coverage and attempting to draw one’s opponent into a foul, requiring them to make a penalty turn. In match racing the first boat to finish is the winner; the other is the loser-plain and simple. Peter Montgomery says it very succinctly“Match racing is like boxing, coming second is not satisfying.” The most prestigious sailing event in the world,the America’s Cup,is the quintessential example of match racing. In New Zealand it all started in mid 1977 with the Chairman of the Stewart 34 Owners Association, Bill Miller. Not only was Millerunashamedlypassionateabouttheclass,buthehadjustinvestedalotof hisowntimeandmoneyinthecreationof mouldsto beusedinbuildinganewgenerationof fibreglassStewart34’s. Inhisefforttopromotetheclass,hepaidavisittoPeterMontgomery, who was managing a car dealership on Auckland’s North Shore. As a part time hobby, Montgomery broadcast a weekly yachting and boating show on Newstalk ZB radio. Miller pointed out to Montgomery that the Stewart 34’s were undoubtedly the top keel boat class in Auckland at that time,and were probably due for a bit of publicity. Montgomery begged to differ; pointing out that on Saturdays, up to ten Squadron keel boat divisions left Orakei Wharf, all at different times, and then sailed well out into the Hauraki Gulf where nobody could see them. Later in the day, they would arrive back to the finish line at Orakei, all jumbled up. Spectators, if there actually were any, would not have a clue as to what was going on, let alone who was winning. He went on to say to Miller that he felt that mixed fleet yacht racing in Auckland was about as newsworthy as a fourth grade rugby match in Taniatua. Although Miller was flabbergasted,he fully realised that Montgomery had made a valid point. Montgomery told Miller that to be newsworthy they needed“a peg to hang on.” He suggested that the Stewarts should do something unique among Auckland one design classes,all by themselves,and that they had to do it where they could be in full view of the public. Miller took this on board. He had recently read an article in a sailing magazine about an annual regatta held in Long Beach, California,calledtheCongressionalCup. TheCongressionalCup,whichwasestablishedin1964,wasthefirstannualinternational match racing event for keel boats ever to be held in the world. In a fine example of tax dollars at work,the Congressional Cup itself is an impressive silver trophy that was dedicated for the regatta by an act of the United States Congress. The Congressional Cup Regatta was initially sailed in a Cal 40 yachts which, interestingly enough, have sometimes been favourably compared to Stewart 34’s. By the mid 1970’s,it had become one of the finest and most prestigious regattas to be held annually. Miller began to visualize the creation of a comparable event to be held on Auckland waters. Furthermore,in1972fellowStewart34sailorJimDavernhadbeeninvitedtoAmericatoparticipateintheCongressionalCup. He returned to Auckland jacked up with enthusiasm. He told the New Zealand Herald of his incredible experience in an article that appeared on March 18,1972. “The 10 minutes before the start was war. The manoeuvring continues after the gun has fired but it is generally the skipper who wins the windward position and gets across the line first that comes out on top…You can’t give these fellows an inch or they are all over you. It’s simply terrific racing.”