Strong winds prevented any racing during the annual Nelson Regatta at the weekend. Photo: Missy Hearfield.

Weather spoils sailing regatta

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The ten-year celebration of Nelson’s biggest sailing weekend was blown out of the water.

Wild winds and a strong swell meant no racing could take place on Sunday or Monday for the 2019 Evolution Sails Regatta.

Tasman Bay Cruising Club vice commodore Missy Hearfield says it was a bit disappointing for all the sailors.

“I spoke earlier in the week about Nelson’s predictable conditions and a slight south west breeze, today was not that day.”

She says the wind was unexpectedly strong.

“There are two things you can’t control in a regatta, one is the sailors and the other is the weather.”

Missy says this year they are expanded the regatta to include sports boats, trailer boats and keelers.

The regatta got underway on Friday night with a rum race in the harbour for all divisions.

Keeler racing was set to start on Sunday with three races round the cans for the Romeo and Juliet divisions, and a coastal race for the cruising boats.

Unfortunately, winds over 30 knots preventing any racing.

On Monday, the keelers were scheduled to sail across Tasman Bay for two days of coastal racing including a night in Torrent Bay.

Almost 40 boats from as far afield as Australia sailed to the region for the regatta.