The Don Hay Classic Yacht Race, named for Don Hay - the first European to sail on Lake Wakatipu, is an annual event that many of the local boaties look forward to.

The race from Kingston to Queenstown takes roughly 6 - 7 hours and this year yachties came from as far away as Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill to compete.

The weather was overcast with variable winds making it a challenging and strategic race this year. Visitors travelling along the Southern Scenic Route on State Highway 6 were treated to moody views with splashes of colour from the bright spinnakers of the boats as they sailed past the many lookout points along the lake.

This year the winner was former Queenstown resident Matt Hunter, with crew support from his son Oscar Hunter and Alana Vining in the 7m-long Elliot Ness. They beat off 26 other boats to take the title. This was Matt's second Don Hay Classic win.

Browse ways you can get out on the lake while you're in Queenstown here.