Entries and Divisions
Entry is open to keelboats, trailer yachts, multihulls, sports boats, and sport multihulls.
The regatta is organised around three racing programmes:
Programme 1 – ‘The Full Monty’ – Multiple races on all three days – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Boats will be assigned to divisions as determined by the Organising Authority, subject to entries.
Programme 2 – ‘The Weekender’ – Multiple races for boats that wish to sail on Saturday and Sunday only. Subject to entries, there will be a Spinnaker division and a Non-Spinnaker division.
Programme 3 – ‘The Harbour Races’ – A race for Classic Yachts on Saturday and a Wellington Harbour Rally on Sunday. Subject to entries, the Wellington Harbour Rally will have a Spinnaker division and a Non-Spinnaker division.
These programmes are mutually exclusive – a boat can only participate in one programme.
We intend to provide good competition in all fleets.
The Programme
Port Nicholson Regatta is an action packed weekend on and off the water. Start your day with a hearty breakfast and essential morning Havana coffee, return to the Club after a day on the water for prizes and giveaways, dinner, and the all-important results, before indulging in post-race analysis over refreshments with other competitors. Come join us – you should be here!
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1500 – Club Bar opens (downstairs) with Lawson’s Dry Hills wine tasting
1600 – Registration opens in the Board Room (upstairs)
1700 – Briefing at the Club Wardroom for the Charity Cup Invitation Race: meet your guests, go racing!
1800 – First warning signal for the Charity Cup Race (pursuit start)
1945 – Charity Cup Prize Giving
2000 – Buffet Dinner ($45 presales only)
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0830 – Briefing in the Club Wardroom
1025 – First Warning Signal for Race Day 1
1500 – Club Bar open (downstairs)
1730 (to 1930) – Dinner Service: Fundraising BBQ hosted by Wellington Youth Sailing Trust (free for competitors)
1830 – Race Results and Awards
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1500 – Club Bar open
1025 – First Warning Signal for Race Day 2
1730 – Novelty Racing – SoUP Race and Model Yacht Race
1730 (to 1930) – Dinner Service: “Build-Your-Own Deluxe Burger” ($25 presales only)
1830 – Race Results and Awards
1900 – Party!
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1025 – First Warning Signal for Race Day 3
1500 – Club Bar open
1730 – Prize Giving (asap after last race)
Lawson’s Dry Hills Charity Cup Invitation Race & Opening Night Dinner
This year we introduce the Lawson’s Dry Hills Charity Cup Invitation Race. It’s an opportunity for entrants to participate in a short pursuit race for our new Charity Cup. The race will be held in the early evening with invited guests aboard participating yachts and provides the opportunity to supports local charities through sailing. This year we are proud to be supporting Live Ocean (Peter Burling and Blair Tuke’s new charity), Wellington Free Ambulance, and Britannia Sea Scouts. Before racing, Lawson’s Dry Hills will be providing wines to sample, then after racing come join us at the Club for prizes, donations and a beautiful buffet meal with complimentary wine (purchase dinner tickets here). The perfect start to our regatta weekend!
Novelty Events
After racing on Saturday experience the next installment of the ridiculous SoUP Race… you’ve either done it, seen it or want to know more!
Dinner Options
There will be dinner options available at the Club during the regatta, offered on a presale basis (i.e. tickets must be bought in advance online).
- Thursday – Regatta Opening Dinner (Charity Cup): high quality buffet dinner at the Club with desert and vegetarian option, together with a complementary glass of Lawson’s Dry Hills wine (order presale tickets here).
- Friday – Fundraising BBQ: the Wellington Youth Sailing Trust will host a fundraising BBQ after racing on Friday with vegetarian options available, and free for competitors!
- Saturday – ‘Build-your-own’ Deluxe Burger: fantastic beef burgers or a vegetarian option (order presale tickets here).
- Sunday – Club bar menu: the standard options will be available from the Club bar (no presales).
The Club’s standard bar menu will be available throughout the Regatta (Friday to Sunday).
Marina Berths
A limited number of berths at Chaffers Marina have been reserved for boats entered in the Port Nicholson Regatta. Boats must comply with Chaffers Marina requirements (e.g. insurance and cleaning) and make arrangements directly with Chaffers Marina once entry has been confirmed. Please contact us if you need further information.
Not a Member? Not a Problem!
If you want to sail and are not already a member of a club affiliated to Yachting New Zealand we are delighted to offer membership of Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club for the duration of the Regatta. This will entitle you to use of club facilities and ensure compliance with crew eligibility requirements during the Regatta. Available to purchase online here.