Competitors in the annual Donald Hay Classic race from
Queenstown to Kingston on Friday. Photo by Olivia Caldwell.
The winning crew mates of the annual Donald Hay Classic
say they are thrilled to take home the trophy after more than
two decades of competing in the prestigious Queenstown sail
boat race.
Freak Brothers, skippered by co-owner Bill Frater,
with co-owner and tactician Wayne Morgan, forward-hand Robert
Ley and apprentice Paul Wilkins, all of Timaru, was the first
to cross the finish line of the classic in four hours and 48
minutes.
An unrecorded crew from Dunedin in the boat Garfield
took the handicapped second place with a finish in six hours
and 53 minutes, while Hyperactive, with a crew
including skipper Gavin Shaw and Alex and Karen Bruce, all of
Queenstown, came in handicapped third in four-hours and 51
minutes.
Timaru sailors (from left) apprentice Paul Wilkins, boat
co-owner and tactician Wayne Morgan, co-owner and skipper
Bill Frater and forward-hand Robert Ley, of the boat Freak
Brothers, display the coveted Donald Hay Classic trophy
they won after the race on Lake Wakatipu on Saturday. Photo
by James Beech.
The Queenstown to Kingston race attracted 25 competitors
for its 34th year on Saturday. Earlier on Friday, Pub to Pub
competitors left the Ballarat Trading Company gastropub in
Queenstown at 11am and sailed from Queenstown Bay to arrive at
the Kingston Flyer Cafe and Bar between 2pm and 4pm.
Les Rogerson, of Arrowtown, took part in the race for 30
years before his doctor said it was time to slow down, but he
still knew the tricks of the trade.
''It is a bit like the America's Cup, they don't want to give
anything away until the last minute.''
The key to a good run to Kingston and back changed every year
and depended greatly on the wind, Mr Rogerson said.
The fastest time in 34 years was an impressive two-hours and
20 minutes. However, any time under three hours was good, he
said.
Conditions on Friday were fine with a moderate southwesterly.
The winner was presented with a token bottle of rum.
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