More than 70 vessels of all ages, sizes and designs took part in Saturday's Tall Ships Regatta in the Bay of Islands.
The annual event is touted as a spectacle of sail rather than a serious race, but that doesn't dim some sailors' determination to take out top honours in its divisions - classic invitational, tall ships, junk rigs and all-comers.
The oldest boat competing this year was Undine, built in Kerikeri in 1877, while the most spectacular under sail was Ōpua-based R Tucker Thompson.
It was R Tucker Thompson's year, with the 60-foot gaff-rigged top sail schooner winning the coveted tall ships trophy for the first time.
The regatta has been hosted by the Russell Boating Club for the past 48 years.
A post-race hāngī at the club's Matauwhi Bay headquarters, catering to 700 hungry sailors, is one of the biggest in the country and is as much a highlight as the race itself.
Results
- Tall ships: 1st R Tucker Thompson; 2nd Deseree; 3rd Zindabar; line honours Zindabar.
- Classic invitational: 1st Pam; 2nd Caprice; 3rd Norgana; line honours Renown.
- Junk rigs: 1st Shoestring; 2nd FanShi; 3rd Taiko; line honours Shoestring.
- All comers: 1st Idletime; 2nd L'Avanti, 3rd California Kiwi; line honours Sham Pain.
- First wooden boat: Caprice; first gaff rig: Balaena; cock of the bay: Zindabar.
For the full list of results go to the Russell Boating Club website.
Race official Bruno Bomati signals the start. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
The kauri-built Arch Logan-designed Aramoana from 1938 streaks ahead of the schooner R Tucker Thompson. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
The Undine, built in Kerikeri in 1877, was the oldest boat in the race. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
From left, Shoestring, Balaena, Leto and Undine jostle for position as the race starts off Russell wharf. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
The waters off Russell are crowded with sails as the race gets underway. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
The schooner R Tucker Thompson passes the Waitangi Treaty Grounds under full sail. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Last year’s classic invitational winner, Nexus, skippered by Ōpua’s Cees Romeyn, passes the cruise ship Seven Seas Explorer. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
The 1936 mullet boat Corona, left, and the gaff-rigged Balaena pass the Seven Seas Explorer off Tapeka Point. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Veroilique puts on speed en route to the first mark. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
The 1936 mullet boat Corona heads for the first mark near Nine Pin Rock. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
The winning wooden boat, Caprice, is a so-called 30 square metre racing yacht launched in 1938. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Kerikeri-based Zindabar, line honours winner in the tall ships division, passes the Black Rocks at the entrance to Kerikeri Inlet. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Wooden boat winner Caprice sails past Rakaumangamanga, a mountain of great significance to Ngāpuhi. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Saskia, a Roberts Norfolk yawl, sets a course for Nine Pin Rock. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
The R Tucker Thompson passes spectators atop Tapeka Point. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
The junk rig FanShi, built and skippered by Annie Hill, is dwarfed by the Seven Seas Explorer. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
The junk-rigged Taiko heads for the finish line Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Junk rigs FanShi, left, and Taiko cross the finish line off Russell wharf. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Tony and Cameron Browne of Zindabar took home trophies for line honours in the tall ships division and cock of the bay. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Helmsman Frank Alica claims the top prize for the tall ship R Tucker Thompson for the first time in the event’s history. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
John Oates, Christine Hill and Roger Hill won the classic invitational division with Pam, a Herreshoff Stuart knockabout. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
It’s hot work preparing the hāngī pit. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
The last of the hāngī packs are laid down for the post-race feast. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Willow branches secured with flax are used to seal the hāngī pit. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
The Kororāreka-Russell hāngī crew take a short break from their labour. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf
Anticipation builds in the 700-strong crowd as the hāngī is unearthed. Photo: RNZ / Peter de Graaf