Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

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

by Hana Hielkema / Jacob Fewtrell Media 23 Jan 02:52 PST
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

Celebrating 30 years of Palm Beach Motor Yachts
With 3 models on display at the Palm Beach Boat Show The Palm Beach International Boat Show will take place March 19-23, along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach, directly across from Palm Beach Island. Posted on 14 Mar
Baglietto expands range with new T54
This new model's classic and slender lines preserve the timeless beauty of the range Baglietto's range expands with a new 54m named T54 under 500GT pencilled by Francesco Paszkowski Design. Posted on 14 Mar
Ferretti Group brings innovation to Palm Beach
With six incredible yachts at the Palm Beach International Boat Show Ferretti Group brings a fleet of unrivalled beauty and innovation to the Palm Beach International Boat Show. Posted on 12 Mar
Two boats. Same Direction.
You know the deal… It means there's a race on. You know the deal… It means there's a race on. So, the second South Pacific Superyacht Rendezvous is set for August 26 to 29, 2025. If it is even half as much fun and interesting as the first one, then it will bolster its burgeoning reputation. Posted on 9 Mar
Double debut for Tankoa Yachts
At the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2025 Signed in 2021 and delivered in the summer of 2024, Diamond Binta is a stunning fusion of innovation and elegance, showcasing the latest achievement from the renowned Tankoa Yachts shipyard in Italy. Posted on 8 Mar
Jeanneau NC 1295 Coupe first look
The latest flagship model designed for effortless family cruising Introducing the NC 1295 Coupe, the latest flagship model designed for effortless family cruising. Posted on 8 Mar
Meet the new Albatross
A Delta Marine 72.2 m yacht that underwent an impressive refit and layout transformation Damen Yachting relaunched ALBATROSS, a Delta Marine 72.2 m yacht that underwent an impressive refit and layout transformation in the last 26 months. Posted on 8 Mar
"Sober Skipper™: Why It Matters" Series
Sea Tow Foundation releases new video featuring Angler Mike Iaconelli The Sea Tow Foundation™, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting boating safety, has launched the latest video in its "Sober Skipper™: Why It Matters" series, featuring professional bass angler Mike Iaconelli. Posted on 7 Mar
RemigoOne now available in North America
Award-winning European design set to transform the small outboard market Remigo is proud to announce the North American launch of RemigoOne, the 3HP equivalent electric outboard that has redefined clean, quiet, and easy boating. Posted on 6 Mar
Marine Auctions March Online Auction
5 vessels unreserved and must be sold Online auction opening Friday 7th March closing Thursday 13th March 2025 at 2pm AEST. Posted on 6 Mar
Maritimo 2023 S600 FOOTERPalm Beach Motor Yachts