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Oyster New Zealand Regatta 2003The fleet stern-to, Viaduct Basin, Auckland‘When a huge Oyster flag wasspotted flying over the centrespan of the Auckland HarbourBridge as the fleetof 14 yachts paradedunderneath, the sailors knewRichard had been at work’permanent residents on the island who relyon their boats or a daily ferry to nearbySand Spit for supplies. Cables from themainland provide power and telephoneservice, water is drawn from dug wells orsprings, and that’s it for amenities. Thereare two very short "roads" used by a fewN.Z. Council vehicles.Kawauans live in no-frills cottages called"baches," short for bachelor pads. If onereally wants to get away into someserious peace and quiet, Kawau Islandhas to be on the short list. There arewalking paths through the brush linedwith big ferns, and a profusion of birdsincluding Wood Pigeons, Herons,Kingfishers, Wekas, Towhees, a handfulof shy Kiwis, and some rare Kookaburras.No one claims to have seen the lattertwo, but they are often heard.Kim McDell and his wife Jan hosted theOyster contingent at their bach locatedon a hillside overlooking the mouth of theharbor. By 8pm, the wind had dropped toa zephyr and the setting sun was bathingthe island in a thin orange light reflectingoff the now placid waters. Trees lining theridges of adjacent hills stood in starksilhouette. Before long the sky had turnedto black velvet dusted with stars. As wewalked the path back to the water’s edge,the eerie hooting of Wekas came from thebrush.On Saturday the sun was hot enough todo damage by 9am. The wind filled in late,delaying the start of the race aroundKawau until noon. Nolea, an Oyster 43racer from 1982 that owner Greg Duffetconverted to a cruising boat before sailingto New Zealand (54 days from the PanamaCanal to Auckland), found the ghostingconditions to her liking. Flying a redspinnaker so big it looked like a hand-medownfrom a Cup yacht, Nolea slipped intothe lead until a shift and the new breezebrought the wind ahead. Nolea didn’t keepher chute up on purpose. The halyard hadjammed in the sheave.The larger yachts charged into anotherpromising northerly, leading the fleet out toFlat Rock on Kawau’s north side. By thenthe breeze fell out, making it trickyrounding the Rock in a foul current. Manywas the depth gage that read under threemeters. Local fishermen kept a wary eyeon the passing yachts. Once on the westside, the breeze freshened again, providinga pleasant reach to the finish. This time itwas Thunder chasing Oystercatcheracross the line, with the Kiwi-builtSouthern Aurora close astern. Aurora wonClass II (under 60 feet), with Nolea rallyingto take second. Once again Kawau bachhospitality was extended to the fleet, witha barbecue spitting glowing embers intothe balmy night. One could tell by theexcited conversations and hand gesturesthat racer’s hearts were beating beneaththe cruising façades of these sailors. Onthe box, Joe Cocker was singing that he’dget by with a little help from his friends.The crew on the Oyster 55, Carelbi20 www.oystermarine.com