The inaugural International Regatta for the Paradise Cup (for the Dot Dinghy Class and similar vessels meeting loosely set class rules) was sailed in Paradise Bay, Ponui Island, New Zealand, on Sunday 8th February 2004.

The Regatta attracted high profile entrants from offshore (offshore Ponui Is, that is) and a large crowd of enthusiastic spectators both on the water and on the Queen’s Chain.

A message of congratulations is expected shortly from The Duke of Kent, and his attendance is expected at the next Regatta when he will have made sure that he has no other prior engagements. His telegram congratulates the Race Committee for its initiation of a worldclass event and he advises that he has directed that a British syndicate is to prepare immediately for the next Regatta. (Unfortunately, we have not heard from Prince Charles.)

Key skippers, Meiklejohn and McIntosh sparred vigorously during their warm up and tuning preparations while the postponement flag remained aloft, awaiting infill of sea breezes. Conditions soon filled in from the north-west. When the race committee had finished their cups of tea and magazine articles, they signalled the final course. It had a long leg to windward, a short broad reach and an off-wind leg to the finish line that was set under the sterns of two closely placed Joker Committee yachts. The spectators on the various other vessels marking the outer extremities of the course hauled in all fishing lines that had been left out and beach spectators ran for a better view close under the start and finish line.

In the last few seconds before the start, both Bubbadubs and Bees Knees challenged for the windward position and there was some barging by the swinging stern of one of the official’s vessels, but no protest flags appeared on the Dots. At the start, (given from Dubs), both Dots hardened up very quickly and speed to windward with spray erupting from their bows. Meiklejohn was seen to be wiping his specs, but McIntosh, fearing loss of his in the vigorous conditions had carefully stowed them on support vessel (Fantasia), so had an immediate advantage over Meiklejohn and took the lead to windward.

There were noticeable differences in sailing style, with McIntosh working in orangutan fashion with arms between the boom and the tiller, while Meiklejohn remained on the floorboards concentrating on tangles in the mainsheet that threatened his credentials, (but purportedly reducing windage, which is normal with threatened credentials). On reaching the top mark, Bees Knees overlaid it in expectation of a large windshift that was seen approaching and Bubbadubs was temporarily clamped in irons as Meiklejohn continued to extract mainsheets from under his bottom. Meiklejohn was still troubled with obscured vision and took some time to fill the mainsail on his proper course. (It is uncertain whether his vision difficulty was still from salt encrusted specs or eyes watering due to sudden tightening of the mainsheet down there somewhere.)

On the wing mark, both vessels rounded with vigorous gybes leaving only millimetres between the mark’s anchor rode and their gunwales. Spectators onboard the mark vessel lowered their sunnies and put their magazines aside to get a better view of the exciting race that was developing. The run to the finish under the Committee vessels was without incident and saw Bubbadubs gather in Bees Knees as the wind filled in behind. However, it was not enough and well ahead, Bees Knees took the gun. The Committee including Mssrs Dudley and Curley dogs were surprised at the speedy return of the Dots and there was much woofing. Bees Knees returned back up the course to locate Bubbadubs, indicating the spirit of good sportsmanship that was required in the Notice of Race, an aspect which the Regatta has now become famous for. While making ready for the second race, Bubbadubs went to shore for further fine-tuning and was seen to be using auxiliary propulsion at one stage. However this was before the preparation flag, so no protest resulted. A large crowd gathered around Bubbadubs to admire its sophisticated layout and deck equipment. Immediately after the start of the second race, Bubbadubs was able to climb higher when McIntosh lost his orangutan grip for a couple of seconds. Meiklejohn then put dirty wind all over Bees Knees. McIntosh was seen to be suffering severely in the aroma, derived as it was, from the fluid sustenance enjoyed the previous evening, whilst setting the Regatta Rules.

Both Dots then tightened up and laid over into angles of heel that showed the strong fight that was going on and sped towards the top mark, with spray hissing from their bows. The on-board spectators rose to their feet in the excitement as the two yachts fought side by side for a sniff of clear air, hurtling past various dinghies, rubber duckies and fizzie toys tied on the sterns. Bees Knees called for Bubbadubs to ”hold her proper course” (and his wind), which she did, avoiding a potentially serious Protest Hearing. Then Bees Knees broke out from under and was first to the top mark with Bubbadubs nearly bumping her stern as they rounded judiciously wide and laid over in the new tack on a broad reach.

They rounded the wing mark in the same positions but Bees Knees rounded too wide, allowing Bubbadubs to slip through. They closed down on the finish with hardly a second between them. As they approached the finish line, Bees Knees, being clear behind had to swerve left and right to prevent climbing into Bubbadubs and the wind therein. Meiklejohn took the race with the spectators astounded at the speed of the yachts as they shot over the line. Exhausted, and noting the rising wind conditions, the two skippers called for deferral of further races. This was granted by the Race Committee. The skippers retired to de-rig and restore fluid balances.

During the Regatta de-brief, Meiklejohn reported his difficulty with sheets near his private parts and McIntosh reported concern for his sweaty palms. Given these technical difficulties for both skippers it was agreed that the match was a draw and a third race was not required.

This report is issued subject to Copyright, by The Race Committee: Chris, Nicky, Dudley and Curley Woof.