Please select your home edition
Edition
Vaikobi 2024 December

Bay of Islands Sailing Week - Day 2: Angry Dragon breathes fire on Sportsboats

by Hana Hielkema / Jacob Fewtrell Media 23 Jan 10:52 GMT
Angry Dragon dominated the Sports Boat division - Bay of Islands Sailing Week - January 23, 2025 © Jacob Fewtrell Media

After a foggy morning, the second day’s racing at Bay of Island Sailing Week turned into thrilling racing as clear skies and a steady sea breeze made for ideal sailing conditions with close tussles playing out across all divisions.

The Sports Boat Division saw the most dramatic action, with Shaw 7 Angry Dragon emerging as the frontrunner after two impressive wins. Helmed by brothers Tom and Richard Kiff, the crew now lead with 7 points, narrowly edging out rivals on Shaw 7 Daisy Duke and Orange Peeler in a nail-biting contest.

Sports boat enthusiast Anne Hirst, returning in her Magic 25 'Team Sex', captured the event's spirit, describing the fleet as "bloody brilliant" and celebrating the "sunshine, moonlight, good times, and a good old boogie."

Shuffling around of positions is happening in the Flying Fifteen fleet, with Frenetic skippered by Murray Gilbert edging our Ben Lowe’s crew on Unknown, while The Godffather skippered by Sally Garrett is following closely in 3rd.

Other tight battles across the divisions include a tussle for third place between Elliott 50 Explore Racing and Marten 55 Equilibrium in Division A, which is lead by Bakewell White Wired with TP52 V5 in second.

Division B sees Beau 28 Tongue Twister maintaining the lead, followed by MG Whitbread 30 Cham Pain and Ross 9.14 Blackout. Division C features a tie between Beneteau First 36 Nautilass and Shaw 750t Deep Purple, and Division D is topped by Chico 40 Mako II.

Newcomer Nigel Hendy of Dufour 45E Nirvana summed up the event's appeal after arriving from a "long sloppy trip up the coast": "It's been a long time between drinks, but we're happy to be here."

The day concludes with the Explore Beach party, building anticipation for the final day of racing tomorrow.

As sailors continue to battle it out, the final day looks to continue it’s theme of gentle morning starts, keeping sailors on their toes to pick the shifts around the race track.

Prizegiving will take place tomorrow evening at regatta headquarters.

For more images: www.facebook.com/boi.sailingweek

Results: bayofislandssailingweek.org.nz/results/2025-results

Key notes:

Related Articles

Tom Dolan set for Trophée Laura Vergne
Competing double-handed alongside co-skipper Gildas Mahé After kicking off his season in Concarneau with a 7th place finish at the Solo Guy Cotten, Tom Dolan continues his 2025 campaign with a new event: the Trophée Laura Vergne, taking place at La Trinité-sur-Mer. Posted today at 11:07 am
Seldén Mast Launches U.S. Online Store
Making Genuine Spare Parts Available Nationwide Seldén Mast is proud to announce the launch of its dedicated online store for the U.S. market. For the first time, sailboat owners across the United States will have direct access to a comprehensive selection of genuine Seldén parts and accessories. Posted today at 8:50 am
BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival day 3
Excitement on the docks as big breeze lines up for thrilling racing There's no shortage of talent or breeze in the BVI as almost eighty boats prepare to assume the challenge in the 52nd edition of the BVI Spring Regatta which starts Friday in the stunning Caribbean waters off Nanny Cay Resort and Marina. Posted today at 5:15 am
Vaikobi Launches New Board Short Collection
With a buy second pair half price deal Vaikobi, a leader in high-performance ocean sports apparel, is proud to introduce its latest collection of men's boardshorts: the Newport Boardies and Paddle Boardies. Designed for comfort, sports versatility and hydrodynamic efficiency. Posted on 3 Apr
Transat Paprec skippers under the microscope
Favorites, outsiders, newbies… In 12 days' time, the iconic 100% mixed transatlantic race between Concarneau and Saint-Barthélemy, Transat Paprec, will get under way. Posted on 3 Apr
J/70 Corinthian Europeans in Cascais day 1
54 teams participating in this new continental format The International J/70 Class Association continues to grow and evolve, debuting the Corinthian European Championship this year in Cascais Portugal. Posted on 3 Apr
BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival day 2
A wild and windy day for the Scrub Island Invitational With gusts hitting 30+ knots in a particularly dark squall that hit the racecourse, washing off the salty water that had already drenched those sailors on the rail as big seas washed over the sides. Posted on 3 Apr
Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca by FERGUS day 4
Getting that winning mojo back on the Bay of Palma Coming as it does as the first major all-classes regatta after the Paris 2024 Olympics, the huge 54 Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca by FERGUS Hotels sailing regatta represents the perfect opportunity to rebuild dented confidence. Posted on 3 Apr
168th Jersey Electricity Gorey Regatta preview
British yachtsmen cruising Channel Island waters in July are very welcome to take part British yachtsmen planning to cruise through Channel Island waters this summer are invited to take part in one of the oldest sailing events in the British Isles - the Jersey Electricity Gorey Regatta. Posted on 3 Apr
Stewarton sailor scoops surprise World title
Scotland's Rory McKinna wins two-person Hansa 303 fleet down under Scottish sailor Rory McKinna, alongside Australia's Jess Wong, have secured Gold at the 2025 Hansa and Para World Championships in Newport, which concluded on the 30th of March. Posted on 3 Apr