WineWorks Marlborough Wine Race builds to a vintage finish

By Alex Roberton

Saturday proved an excellent day to celebrate Marlborough’s wineries and sailors with the WineWorks Marlborough Wine Race – eventually, anyway.

In the annual event, held for the third time exclusively within the Marlborough Sounds, each boat carries a bottle of wine from one of the entrants in a locked box, which is opened at the end of the race to determine the winner. A handicap system levels the playing field between different sizes and speeds of vessels.

The 9:30am start, between support boat Freedom and the Snout peninsula, was an exercise in patience with minimal wind available. Crossing the start line as the horn sounded was crucial to set up for a good result.

Gaps formed as the race really got underway. The yachts turned around Allports Island and started heading east, with wind now in the sails, as Freedom steamed to Bluemine Island to observe the next stage.

Conditions were ideal with a strong breeze and beautifully clear skies overhead. The race progressed northwest toward Resolution Bay and the support boat again held steady to provide the finish line for the race.

Line Honours went Matt Michel on his yacht Astruso carrying Catalina Sounds. First place on handicap went to David Grigg on his yacht Global carrying Starborough. Steve Harper on his yacht Mariel, carrying Eradus and helmed by 14-year-old Martina Harper, placed second on handicap – followed by Bill Crossen’s yacht Sequin carrying Nautilus Estate & Lawson’s Dry Hills, helmed by Phil Jarvis.

The day concluded with live music by Midge McCleary and the prizegiving, all at Resolution Bay. Organised by Waikawa Boating Club, the event was sponsored by Wineworks, Interpack, and Liquid Action. Marlborough Weekly’s giveaway winners were Geoff and Sharilyne Waldron.