However, yesterday the weather was perfect on the lake, although very cold with fresh snow on the hills, for the main event - the Aviemore Classic.
There were 74 yachts crewed by about 200 people on Lake Aviemore for the start of the classic at 10am.
The event is organised by the Timaru Yacht and Power Boats Club's trailer yacht section and attracts entries from all over the South Island to compete on the lake, about 90km northwest of Oamaru.
This year there was also an entry from the North Island, with Noelex 25 president Barry Kerr (Napier) bringing a crew south and leasing the Athena 2.
The two-day event this year also hosted championship competitions, including the Noelex 25 South Island, Noelex 22, Farr 6000 and Aquarius 22 events.
However, good sailing weather in the morning for the 40 yachts that started racing turned to "very hairy" conditions in the afternoon, when a southerly front with lashing rain hit, classic secretary Florence Smith said.
Of the yachts that started, only 18 finished, with the rest pulling out because of the conditions. All yachts returned safely to the Otematata boat harbour.
Yesterday's classic, sponsored by Meridian Energy Ltd, provided a spectacular sight as the yachts jostled for the best starting position at the top of the lake.
The fastest boats were expected to complete the race circuit along the complete length of Lake Aviemore in under five hours, depending on the conditions.The race started in a southwest breeze and ended in a northeaster.
This year's entry was down on previous years, when about 100 yachts had competed.
