Omega Auckland Racing Regatta

March 3, 2010 – Omega Auckland Racing Regatta opens with strong tides and shifting winds at Waitemata Harbour in New Zealand.  The competing teams are comprised of some of the best sailors in the world.

Bean Ainslie of Great Britain topped the first day with a 6-2 score.  Dean Barker and Adam Minoprio both of New Zealand and Betrand Pace of France tied 5-3.

Some of the biggest names in the sport are competing, the skippers are:  Dean Barker, Emirates Team, Chris Dickson, former BMW ORACLE Racing, and Adam Minoprio, BlackMatch Racing all three from New Zealand; Ben Ainslie of Great Britain, Team Origin; Francesco Bruni of Italy, Azzurra Sailing Team; Sebastian Col, former Areva Challenge and Bertrand Pac, former BMW ORACLE Racing both from France; Karol Jablonski of Poland, former Desafio Espanol; Magnus Holmberg of Sweden, former Victory Challenge; and Torvar Mirsky of Australia, Mirsky Racing Team.

Under the auspices of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron racing takes place in identical Farr-designed MRX yachts.  Double round robin, semi-final and final take place, weather permitting, the semi-finals and finals are decided by the first skipper to win three matches.

President of Omega Stephen Urquhart said there has always been a strong link between sailing and timekeeping, Omega is the only company to have produced a wristwatch that has chronometer certification.  Sailors rely on high-precision marine chronometers for navigation.