On the morning of the Mahurangi Regatta, a ‘cancellation committee’ of three would phone each other and discuss the weather forecast just intoned by a government meteorologist on national radio.
Then, unless a gale or a deluge was imminent, the regatta signs were erected, starting from the highway and at every potential misdirection all to the way then yet-to-be-officially-opened regional park.
With the advent of weather satellites and computer programmes forecasting conditions a week in advance, and
better-known Southern Oscillation implications, organisers have a great deal more information on which to base a decision to proceed with the particularly weather-dependent aspects of the regatta: The shoreside events.
While Cyclone Wilma has had the Mahurangi more or less in her sights since last Saturday, a day can easily see a 1000-kilometre difference in such a storm’s location. By cancelling the popular shoreside events 40-odd hours out, the organisers are knowingly risking looking overly cautious.
The decision regarding the after-match function was the easiest. The outlay for the prize-giving dance is more than $6000, without food and drink. If only a couple of hundred sailors braved the rain to enjoy the band, the profit on their purchases wouldn’t come close to averaging the $30 per head needed for the event to break even. The
generous underwriting received from CharterLink, by itself, would still leave the organisers dangerously exposed—even if the cyclone’s progress varied marginally.
The long-term regatta thinking is to spread the risk and responsibility for the regatta more equitably, and to better involve city hall. But there will always be years when cyclones or lesser weather events spoil the party. In the past, when regatta organisers
have soldiered on regardless of onshore wind and/or rain, the beach events have failed to attract any interest.
Best to accept graciously that outdoor events are at the mercy of the elements, and look forward to the following year.
About the Mahurangi Regatta
Format for the 2012 Mahurangi Regatta
Action on the Mahurangi
Regatta Results
For Canine Crew Members
Regatta Rules Okay
Revival of a Tradition
Regatta updates:
Master of the Mahurangi
Seeking Resurgence
Action on the Mahurangi
Regatta Results
Certificates Make Regatta
Action More Memorable
Channelling Regatta Energy into
Action on the Mahurangi
As Well As 2011 Regatta Cyclone
Wilma Whacked Yearbook
Perennial Regatta
Call for Crew
She’s a Hard Road Finding the
Perfect Regatta Sponsor
Prize-Giving and Dance
Bring-Your-Own
Connectivity Exemplar
Saved by Wilma
Regatta supporters:
Auckland Council
Buckton Consultants
CharterLink
Mason Bins
Part of a hope-based network restoring and enjoying the Mahurangi
Editor Cimino Cole
Funktop Enhancement: Developed by Ted Funk, this particular infrared enhancement highlights Cyclone Wilma’s intense areas of precipitation.