Breaking News

 

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Around Waiheke Race

25 February 2012

 

Come along and join us in this great race, Trailer Sailers, Keelers and Multihulls are all welcome. The race starts out from the Maraetai S.C and we will take Waiheke Island either to Port or Starboard depending on the wind direction. Check out the NOR and SAILING INSTRUCTIONS on  www.phcc.co.nz you may enter online, by mail or there will be someone at the Maraetai S.C on Friday evening with entry forms. There is also parking at the club for any Trailer Sailers who wish to stay on Friday night with the prize giving on Saturday night. This Race is a lot of fun, so get those entries in and we will see you there.  
 
PINE HARBOUR CRUISING CLUB

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SSANZ RNZ Race

24 February 2012

The final four:

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Here's Des

24 February 2012

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SSANZ RNZ Race

23 February 2012

Continuing our introduction to the entrants:

 

 

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Paper Tigers

22 February 2012

 

The 2012 New Zealand Paper Tiger North Island Freshwater Series continues this weekend with the North Island Catamaran Championships being hosted by the Turangi Yacht Club.
The event will see over 40 Paper Tigers (along with up to a dozen 'A' Class Cats) from all over the North Island competing in spectacular fashion on Stump Bay, Lake Taupo with racing expected to produce some very tight results.

The event will see competitors throughout the fleet fighting for every position as they attempt to take out the North Island Title as well as gain points towards the overall North Island Freshwater Series Title which concludes in Taupo mid March.
Contenders for the overall North Island Title include class stalwarts Terry Valder, John Thomson, Glenn Syman, and Mark Bell.  2011 champion Rowdy Leatham will also be back in an attempt to defend his title.

 

The event will also double as a final shakedown for the New Zealand Paper Tiger Team who will pack their boats into the container next weekend in preparation for the 2012 Paper Tiger Internationals to be held in Melbourne over Easter weekend.

Scott Pedersen is currently leading the North Island Freshwater Series and a solid performance could see him tighten his grip on the trophy for the third time in four years.  However, the series is still wide open with multiple contenders chasing hard and Glenn Syman (the 2011 series winner) not willing to give up the series trophy without a fight.

 

The Paper Tiger is a catamaran designed by Ron Given of New Zealand in 1968. It is widely sailed in New Zealand and Australia.
Paper Tiger Overall Dimensions
Length: 14 ft (4.3m)
Width: 7ft (2.2m)
Minimum Weight: 110 lbs (50kg)
Sail Area: 100 sq ft (9.2 m²)

For further information please contact Ryan (Rowdy) Leatham on 027 636 6465 or rnleatham@gmail.com

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Interview with the Fields

22 February 2012

Thanks to our ace reporter Stephen C , Crew.org.nz brings you:

 

Question for Ross:

Sad to hear that you guys arn't continuing on with the race....how is Ross these days? and how are the injuries coming along?

 

RF:MY BACK IS STILL VERY SORE WITH TORN MUSCLES ETC.  IAM CONSULTING A SURGEON RIGHT NOW.

 

Question for whoever wants to answer it:

When interviewed by TVNZ Ross seemed angry that things had gone wrong because of a 'told you so' situation with the race organisers. How hard was the decision to pull out of the GOR? and are there still any thoughts of legal action?

 

RF:IAM STILL HIGHLY P……ED OFF WITH THE GOR ORGANISATION.  IT WAS THE HARDEST DECISION I HAVE EVER MADE BUT I BELIEVE IT WAS CORRECT.  WE WERE LEADING ON THE WATER AND LEADING THE RACE OVERALL SO IT WAS EXTREMELY TOUGH. WE DO HAVE A CASE FOR REDRESS ETC, HOWEVER WE HAVE DECIDED TO MOVE ON.

 

THE MOST DISAPPOINTING PART OF THE WHOLE THING IS THAT THIS CURRENT ORGANISATION HAS RUINED AN INCREDIBLE CONCEPT. 

 

FOR AN EVENT TO TAKE PLACE THEY NEED COMPETITORS, AND FOR COMPETITORS TO COMPETE THEY NEED AN EVENT ORGANISER SO ITS  A MARRIAGE, NOT TWO SEPARATE FACTIONS BATTLING AWAY.   IN THE GOR, VOLVO, AC ETC THERE NEEDS TO BE TEAMS AND ORGANISATIONS OPERATING TOGETHER AND I AM AFRAID THAT THIS IS NOT ALWAYS HAPPENING.

 

THIS ICE GATE WAS A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF THE ORGANISERS NOT LISTENING.  THEY MADE THE SITUATION MORE DANGEROUS EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE TOLD THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN.  THEY MOVED THE GATE BECAUSE THEY REALISED, TOO LATE, THAT THEY HAD STUFFED UP. 

 

ANYWAY, I HAVE MOVED ON, PUT THIS BEHIND ME AND I'M LOOKING FOR THE NEXT CHALLENGE.

 

Question for both

What does the rest of 2012 possibly hold for you?

 

CF: I fly back to the UK this Friday evening. I spend a lot of time in Europe racing professionally – usually as navigator, and have started booking up events, first one is towards the end of March in St Barts. Probably the biggest thing happening for me this year is the pending birth of no.2, that’ll keep me busy for a while!

 

RF:  GET MY BACK RIGHT AND THEN LOOK AT THE NEXT CHALLENGE.  I HAVE SOME IDEAS WHICH I AM WORKING ON WITH A FEW GUYS.

 

Question for Campbell

Is there anything wrong with the boat that has forced you into selling it?

 

CF: Absolutely nothing wrong with the yacht, in fact quite the opposite. The boat had a good going over and most areas fully serviced in Wellington. Rig stripped, inspected, rods NDT’d, engine fully serviced, winches serviced, electrics and electronics thoroughly inspected, pilot motors and pumps replaced etc. This is prudent being the half way stage of the race. Nothing amiss was discovered, and she is in great shape – better than new.

 

Question for both

Do you plan on entering more class 40 events beyond the 11/12 GOR?

 

CF: The Class40 is an unbelievably fantastic concept, the proof is in the 120+ boats launched to date. Although no firm plans to get involved directly, I would welcome the opportunity to sail on any Class40, and will be keeping a close eye on the development of the class.

 

RF;  INCREDIBLE BOATS, GREAT CONCEPT.  YES WE ARE LOOKING AT CLASS 40 EVENTS.  WOULD BE GREAT IF NZ’ERS WOULD GET INTO THEM.

THERE ARE NO CREW HASSLES – WE DID THE FASTNET RACE FULLY CREWED WITH FOUR GUYS.  YOU COULD DO THE FIJI RACE WITH FOUR GUYS, TAURANGA RACE 2 HANDED ETC. 

 

Question for Ross

What do you think of the new Volvo course and all the stopping and starting?

 

RF:ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ATTRACTED ME TO THE GOR WAS THE COURSE.  I BELIEVE THAT THE VOLVO OCEAN RACE HAVE LOST THEIR WAY A LITTLE BIT WITH ALL THE STOPS, SHIPPING ETC.  THERE HAS TO BE A MIX BETWEEN THE COMMERCIAL SIDE AND YACHT RACING.  MAYBE VOLVO HAVE STEPPED A LITTLE TOO FAR INTO THE COMMERICAL SIDE AND FORGOTTEN THE YACHT RACING?  ONLY AN OBSERVATION.

 

Question for both

If you could pick a current Volvo boat to sail on at the moment, which one would it be and why?

 

CF: To be honest, have paid very little attention to this edition of the VOR. I am friends with or have worked with people on each team. A quick glance at the fleet in Cape Town and a few bar based chats is no basis to form an opinion of which boat is best…however…. The JK boats seem pretty similar but with each teams influence on design showing (how did they arrive at such different conclusions???) so it is down to the people sailing them. Telefonica seem to have gone again for low windage moderate airs focus, Groupama more to heavier airs, Puma – well not sure there. Abu Dhabi have potential but probably not able to exploit it, Camper, well the results so far speak for themselves, maybe they have a speed problem?

 

RF: THE JK BOATS HAVE AN EDGE.  CAMPER IS OBVIOUSLY A GOOD UPWIND BOAT, HOWEVER THE RACE IS A REACHING RACE. 

 

Question for Both

What do you guys mainly eat while sailing around the world

 

CF: We were well stocked with Back Country freeze dried food, great meals, and enough variety to not get too sick of it. The food program really stepped up a level from Wellington with great snack packs put together by Jan. My personal favourite – Fish Pie, but was very disappointed to discover they changed the cheese topping for the Leg 2 meals! Haven’t sent a letter of complaint yet…

 

RF: I AGREE WITH CAMPBELL – THE BACK COUNTRY FOOD IS GREAT.  WE TOOK HEAPS OF FOOD AND NEVER RAN OUT.  WE WERE BOTH SO EXHAUSTED DURING EACH LEG THAT WE COULDN’T RISK RUNNING OUT OF FOOD.

 

Questions for Both

What do you do to relax once you have come off a watch?

 

CF: No such thing as relaxing! Well there is, when the conditions allow – to sit and have a cup of coffee and chat in a quiet evenings sunset . Basically if there is any opportunity to sleep, you take it. No books, iPod, videos etc. We drove each other pretty hard and there is always something to do, sailing, moving the stack, bailing out, cooking, writing blogs, downloading weather and analysing or running routes, getting pos reports and figuring out what the other guys are thinking….

 

RF: WE DIDN’T RUN A STRICT WATCH SYSTEM.  BASICALLY YOU ARE EITHER SAILING, OR SLEEPING, SO RELAXING WASN’T REALLY ON THE AGENDA.

 

Question for both

What has been your best sailing experience as well as your scariest?

 

CF: Best? Really hard to say, I have been privileged enough to sail in some beautiful places and witnessed some spectacular sights. Recently in the GOR memories of running hard in huge southern ocean swells with clear blue skies in 35 odd kts – wet, cold and tired, but exhilarating - something that doesn’t get to be done very often. Scariest? I wouldn’t say there was anything particularly scary recently…even entering the Cook Straits in 50+ knots wasn’t scary, we had a plan, knew what we were doing and had it under control. Maybe a bit concerned, but not necessarily scary.

 

RF:  I REMEMBER REACHING IN ABOUT 25 KNOTS OF WIND, RAINING, WARM, FLAT WATER (A FRONT HAD JUST PASSED OVER US) AND THE BOAT WAS FULLY POWERED UP AND WE WERE JUST FLYING.  WE WERE DOING 15 – 25 KNOTS AT AN ANGLE THAT THE BOAT LOVES – IT WAS BLOODY INCREDIBLE TO BE ON THE BOAT, REALLY ENJOYABLE.  THE BOAT IS A BULLET.

 

THE WORST – MAYBE COMING INTO COOK STRAIT.  WHEN I SAW ALL THAT WHITE WATER, 50 KNOTS OF WIND, I THOUGHT – WHAT THE F…  AM I DOING THIS FOR.  IT WASN’T SCAREY, JUST A LITTLE WORRIED THAT WE MIGHT GET ROLLED.

 

THERE ARE TIMES WHEN YOU LOOK DOWN A WAVE STARTING TO SURF THAT YOU THINK – MAYBE ITS NOT A GOOD IDEA TO CATCH THIS ONE, AND THEN YOU ARE OFF.  YOU FEEL A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE UNTIL YOU LAND SAFELY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WAVE AND THEN YOU ARE OFF AGAIN.

 

Question for Campbell

Whats it like sailing with your dad and being in such a close environment for long periods of time?

CF: Novel! We have done a lot of sailing together, and spent a lot of time working on projects. It is just like going sailing with a really good mate, except the stories you tell are a bit different!

 

Question for both

What has been the quickest that you have sailed BSL?

 

CF: I believe that I hit 24 knots running in 30 with a mast head spinnaker up and 1 reef in the main. Probably a bit much, and on a big surf am pretty sure I saw 24 but we were under water and I had my head between my knees!

 

RF: WHEN WE ARE HEAVY RUNNING WE ARE BOTH ON DECK SO I SAW THE SAME AS CAMPBELL.  WE PUSHED THE BOAT, SOMETIMES A LITTLE HARD AT TIMES BUT WE GOT GOOD RESULTS.

 

Question for Ross

What do you miss the most when your sailing around the world? and whats the best part about arriving at a port?

 

RF:  I DON’T MISS ANYTHING.  I LOVE IT, I LOVE THE ISOLATION, I LOVE THE COMPETITION, I LOVE SAILING.   MAYBE I MISS A FEW HOME COMFORTS NOW AND AGAIN, BUT NOT TOO MUCH.  YACHTING IS A FANTASTIC SPORT.

 

THE BEST PART ABOUT ARRIVING IN PORT IS HAVING A SHOWER.  YOU DO START TO STINK AFTER 30 DAYS AT SEA.

 

Question for Campbell

What sailing event or regatta do you best remember and why?

 

CF: The GOR brings some pretty good memories, but I would have to say the Americas Cup Jubilee was the most spectacular event I have ever been involved in – I was navigating the J Class Shamrock V (an original, not a recent imitation)  – manoeuvring a museum piece worth millions around the Solent and pushing her as hard as we could is something I’ll never forget. A 1930’s Americas Cup yacht racing 70 odd years later – don’t see that happening with any of the more recent models…

 

 

 

Question for Both

In the inshore/coastal race of leg 4 we saw Mike 'boat whipping' Sanderson adding a bit of humour into the race while trying to get more performance out of his boat. What do you do to have a laugh while sailing in an important situation or to relieve some stress?

 

CF: Ask Ross to service a winch! And we had nicknames for each boat, and usually got a few laughs out of our own running commentary each time a position report came in speculating about where they were going, what they were thinking, why the gained (or lost) miles in the last 3 hours.

 

RF;  WE HAVE PLENTY OF LAUGHS, DON’T WORRY ABOUT THAT.   TWO HANDED SAILING IS IN INCREDIBLE SIDE TO OUR SPORT.  ITS SO ENJOYABLE.

 

 

 

 

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SSANZ RNZ Race

22 February 2012

Two more competitors headiing around:

 

 

 

 

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Kiwi Sailing History

22 February 2012

Another cool piece form Jim Bolland:

 

In 1968 a bunch of Kiwi sailors, namely Chris Bouzaid, Alan Warwick, ‘Sticky’ Armitage, Roy Dickson and Peter Shaw took Bouzaid’s Sparkman and Stevens designed one-tonner ‘Rainbow II’ to Heligoland to, as Kiwi’s say, ‘have a go’ for the One Ton Cup.
It was a first for New Zealand sailing and there was a lot of interest in this keel yacht that was heading north to do battle on the North Sea.
The ‘boys in black’ raced the cream of the world’s ‘One Ton’ crop and in a fleet of twenty-two finished a close runner up to the German yacht ‘Optimist’, a Dick Carter design ably sailed by Hans Beilken and crew.
Chris Bouzaid never accepted second place at anything he did! Very quickly he decided that, finance permitting, ‘Rainbow II’ would return the following year to relieve the Germans of their trophy. The team had learnt a lot about optimising their rating. ‘Rainbow II’ had been set up well for any breezes over twenty knots, but was short on sail area for lighter conditions.
On returning to New Zealand the Kiwi boat gained a heavier hull, taller rig and more sail area. There was a crew change. Ward Schofield and Dave Craig replaced ‘Sticky’ Armitage and Peter Shaw.
To make short of one story that can really go on for hours, ‘Rainbow II’ returned to the North Sea in 1969 and on the waters about Heligoland the boys in black won the One Ton Cup! In ‘69 ‘Optimist’ was the runner-up!
And that is where this story really begins! In 1969 my enthusiasm for writing, as well as drawing and painting, had seen me become a ‘stringer’ for the local lWellington, New Zealand morning newspaper ‘The Dominion’ and following the return of the ‘Rainbow II’ crew I spent the best part of a day with the new national sporting hero Chris Bouzaid. He was on a national tour, speaking to sailors and being honoured at civic receptions and my story on the events in the Capital City completely occupied the entire lead sports page of the ‘Dominion’.
Among many aspects of the One Ton Cup that Chris and I discussed that day, one of them was Hans Beilken. Chris considered his greatest opponent in the One Ton Cup contest was a very good helmsman and had created the leading sail making business in Germany at that time. Often during the intervening 38 years since, I have wondered what happened to Hans Beilken and sailboat racing?
Of course his brother Berni was well known during later years, with his association with the Admirals Cup yachts that bore the name ‘Diva’, but not a lot was mentioned about Hans on the International circuit.
And where is Hans Beilken now? He lives near the beautiful Lake Constance, has retired from sailing and is an avid golfer. If he’s half as good a golfer as he was a sailor, his name will be on the honours board!.

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SSANZ RNZ Race

21 February 2012

Another entry, often seen floating around Crew.org.nz:

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RNZ Race

21 February 2012

I just go tthis in my inbox from Cameron Thorpe,(just ignore the obvious plug for his own boat).

 

Hi David,

 

I’m hearing a quite a few yachties are still unaware of the SSANZ RNZ race. (prob unaware women are allowed to vote, we no longer live in caves etc too !)

 

Could you please put a short blurb on the home page.

 

Some key points…

 

Starts this Saturday at 1400hrs right off Westhaven

Yellowbrick Trackers link from the SSANZ site.

Various crews will send updates to crew.org and/or www.facebook.com/ssanz.inc

Everyone should support Team Surreal http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Team-Surreal/362894123735032  ;-)

10 boats entered for NZ’s toughest race.

 

Regards

 

Cameron

 

 

I'm planning some background on the competitors here over the next few days, let's start with this, after all he is a Crew.org.nz regular:

 

 

 

 

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Nelson Regatta

20 February 2012

   

 

  They came from Wellington, they came from Picton and one boat even came all the way up from Christchurch, to join with twelve local boats in a thirty two boat fleet for  the third Nelson Regatta. The boats ranged in size from an eight metre Thomson to the twenty metre Kanter Cruising Sequel II. So this this year's fleet was split into two sections - Romeo for the faster boats and Juliet for the slower ones, who had shorter courses round the buoys.

     The feeder races from Wellington and Waikawa produced some very wet crews, and indeed one of our boats, Peter Gray's Nonstop, was the only boat to finish the Waikawa race. A superb party on Saturday evening, for Skippers and Sponsors, hosted by Woodi and Jonny Moore of Sail Nelson at their lovely waterfront property, set the scene for four days of sailing and fun.  On Sunday morning after sign-on and presentation of excellent welcome packs donated by our main sponsor Dimension Polyant, we headed out for the first day's racing.  Light winds saw the first race abandoned, but a strong southwesterly kicked in and exciting racing was on for the rest of the day. By late afternoon the wind was approaching thirty knots, one boat was knocked down, one boat lost its propeller, and one committee boat member had a very wet transfer from the mark boat to the deck of the Willie Bolton.

     Light winds again started the day on Monday, which saw a combined fleet race up the Boulder Bank and round Boulder One before heading off across the Bay, through the Astrolabe, and finish in a strong sea breeze, North of Pitt Head. The BBQ on the Anchorage beach with spit roast pork and hogget, was a masterpiece of organisation and culinary skill by Frank Carter and his team, and the reunions, tactical discussions, and wine appreciation lasted long into the night. A prompt start to racing at 10.30 next morning saw a number of boats struggling to reach the start in time,  and a short race from Pinnacle Rock round Tonga Island and back put crews back into racing mode before the race back to Nelson, when the leading boat, Andiamo, made it back in very moderate winds in just under three hours.

 

     More short course racing (one of them very short!) on Wednesday, sorted out the final regatta placings and the events on the water were concluded by a fusillade of canon shots from tug boat Little Toot, and the now traditional farewell salute from the Gucci Girls. (I wonder what those girls would make of a bare-boat charter?)  A packed Cruising Club hosted the third prize-giving of the regatta, and popular winners Nefertiti (Romeo Fleet) and Gucci (Juliet Fleet) each recieved a most generous $1500 voucher from Bridon NZ.  Both runners up, Wild Oats and Fourth Dimension, were local boats, and an abundance of other awards for all manner of performance were presented by our pair of prize-giving, pirouetting, party girls.

     Visitors and locals alike were lavish in their praise of  the event and two people even said to me " best Regatta in New Zealand. "

     See you next year.

 

 

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2012 International Paints Auckland to Tauranga Race on track to be a great one!

19 February 2012

 

The Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club’s annual Easter weekend Auckland to Tauranga race is shaping up to be a good one. Early indications of interest are strong and some new plans by the club will mean a good time for all. The start in front of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is set for 1000 on April 5^th  for which will hopefully be a quick ride down the coast. 

 “In the last 12 months TYPBC has worked hard to improve our use of technology for our yacht races.” says Commodore Wayne Eaton.  “For the first time, our new club website will feature real time updates from the yachts during the race which will include photos and short video clips. We have listened to what participants would like to see, and now we are in a position to provide it. TYPBC sailors are keen to be great hosts and showcase our area.”

The unfortunate situation with the Rena is being monitored closely, but at this stage does not appear to present any issues for the race. Race Chairman Ross Sherrin says “We will monitor the Rena situation prior to and during the race and respond accordingly. We have direct access to officials and up to date information. In the unlikely event that the race has to be canceled, TYPBC will refund 100% of entry fees back to competitors.”

Plans for the traditional Friday night prizegiving and blowout party are set in place. Visiting yachts will be able to complete the race, enjoy a great night, and have plenty of time for the return trip home. TYPBC will be rolling out the red carpet for race entrants.

Now is a great time to step up and support the Tauranga area and have a fantastic weekend at the same time! The NOR and Entry Forms can be found on the new Club website at www.yacht.org.nz  Have questions, want more information? Just email keeler@yacht.org.nz for all the info.

Make plans now to be part of the fun!

 

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Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club RSA Regatta

17 February 2012

 

 

 

The 2012 RSA Regatta will be in its 35^th year and has its origins with the Mt Wellington/Panmure RSA Club, who generously provided in March 1977 the RSA Laser Trophy. The Trophy escaped largely unscathed an arson to the PLSC club premises in October 2007 and continues to remain a unique trophy won by few and coveted by many.

 

Mr Leon Matthews, President of the Mt Wellington/Panmure RSA was pleased to provide continuous support to this event and will be donating miniature trophies for the winners to take home with them.  To mark this anniversary an RSA official will be handing out the trophies at the prize giving.

 

The RSA Regatta is to be held on the 26^th February and is generally raced over one day with a schedule of 5 races sailed on Panmure Lagoon. This throws up a challenge to any sailor brave enough to pit their wits against not only the local sailors but the trickeries of the basin. This is a place where nerves of steel, determination & sheer skill are required to succeed.

 

Last year’s winner for the 2^nd year in a row was Luuk Van Basten Batenburg from Pupuke Boating Club taking away the first prize of a Laser top section. This year we have another section up for grabs as well as many other prizes for the 1^st , 2^nd and 3^rd placings, there will be as well a spot prize draw. Most sailors are almost guaranteed to come away with some spoils to remember the days battle on the water thanks to our Regatta sponsors: Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre, the Water Shed, Boating NZ, Coromandel Cacti, Sugarcraft, Yeehah Fishing Tackle, Joy Adams Sails and Wettie Wetsuit. They will certainly have a great day to remember, sailing at Panmure Lagoon followed by a friendly BBQ

 

Lastly just as a reminder; this Regatta is for the brave at heart, so if you have those qualities put this Regatta into your Diary. For more information and a copy of the Notice of Race, consult the Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club website. http://www.plsc.org.nz .

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Here's Des

17 February 2012

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Sail Noumea

16 February 2012

Your Trusted Partner in Safety

Phone: 0800 777-009

Counting Down

 

• Less than 6 months to the start of Sail Noumea 2012
• Sail Noumea Seminar Series - February 23^rd Search and Rescue

 

 

With just over 100 days until the Auckland start of Sail Noumea the countdown has well and truly begun and now is the time for crews intending to race to ramp up preparations.

 

There are over 60 New Zealand registrations of interest ranging from premier offshore race boats to cruising crews planning their South Pacific Adventure.  With preparations to accommodate yachts in the marina underway now is the time to submit official entries.  Entry documents and race information can be found online at http://www.sailnoumea.com/sites/default/files/NZ-SAILNOUMA-ENTRY.pdf or by e-mailing suellen@rayc.org.nz.  Make sure your entry is in early to secure your Noumea marina berth.

 

Sail Noumea is a family friendly regatta. RAYC has negotiated excellent hotel and travel packages with Royal Terra Beach Resort & Spa and North Harbour Travel.  Make sure your family and friends are at the finish to welcome you into port by booking now.  Details of accommodation and travel packages can be found at http://www.sailnoumea.com/accommodation-flight-packages. The team at North Harbour Travel can customize an itinerary to suit your requirements and their package prices will not be beaten.

 

On Thursday the 23^rd of February Royal Akarana Yacht Club in conjunction with the Short Handed Sailing Association is hosting the first Sail Noumea 2012 seminar.  Entrants in the SSANZ Round New Zealand race will join Sail Noumea crews for the second RFD safety seminar.  This seminar will cover flare and life raft demonstrations as well as preparations for search and rescue including helicopter rescue.  The bar will be open and a selection of finger food will be served.  This seminar which builds on the 2011 RFD Safety Seminar is a great chance to learn what to do when things go wrong and mingle with the crews about to tackle the Round New Zealand race.

Mark these upcoming Sail Noumea Seminar topics and dates in your diary:

 

• 23^rd February - SAR  with SSANZ and RFD
• 8^th March - Customs and Immigration with Selwyn Edgerly
• 29^th March - The Cat 1 Inspection with Angus Willison (Inspector) and Simon Morley  (Lloyd Stevenson Boat Builder)

 

If you are thinking about competing in Sail Noumea 2012.  Have an interest in offshore sailing.  If you want to learn more about search and rescue at sea you are welcome at Royal Akarana Yacht Club on the 23^rd of February for the RFD Safety Seminar.  The bar will be open.  A selection of light food will be served.  Presentations will begin at 1830hrs.

 

More information about this Seminar and Sail Noumea 2012 can be found at www.sailnoumea.com. The website is the source of all the latest information and news about the race and includes: A timer counting down the time to the start of the race, boat and crew profiles of current entries, live race tracking when the race is underway, Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions, an online entry form, and all the forms required for a paper entry. 

The Sail Noumea Facebook page at www.facebook.com/sailnoumea will continue to be updated with useful information.  It’s a great way for sailors intending to join Sail Noumea to stay in touch. 

Anyone who wishes to attend the seminar or to entry the race can do so by e-mailing suellen@rayc.org.nz with boat name, e-mail, and phone contact details.

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Jim Bolland

15 February 2012

It's good to see our old friend Wellington artist Jim Bolland back in print with his new blog. Here's a sample of his work:

 

In a cloud of spray!

'Flight of the Oystercatchers.'                 Oil on canvas. Jim Bolland 2011

‘Oystercatcher XXVIII’ was launched at the Seaview Marina, on Wellington Harbour’s north-east corner in mid-October 2010.
Built by Hakes Marine to a design by Tom Humphreys of Humphreys Yacht Design, this 54 foot IRC racer was the second race boat from the Humphrey’s studio, for Richard Matthews, a British yachtsman of vast experience.
This yacht was an exceptional example of modern race-yacht construction, featuring full carbon pre-preg construction from direct female hull and deck moulds. The foam cored hull shell offers significant toughness for slight IRC benefit, while deck and internal structures are of nomex honeycomb cores.
Hakes Marine has a powerful reputation for the highest quality workmanship and it was evident in every area of this yacht's construction.
The October launching coincided with the spring season and in Wellington, New Zealand, that means plenty of wind! ‘Oystercatcher XXVIII’ had a workout after launching that should probably have been called a work-over? There were continual days of 20 to 30 knot breezes that tested everything that should be tested. And through all this, the yacht passed her test with honours.
For the painting of this exciting yacht, I placed her in more tropical climes, the Caribbean where she was programmed to race after shipping from Wellington NZ. But the inspiration was born while watching her on Wellington’s windswept harbour, ably beating to weather and then, in a cloud of spray, reaching down wind in excess of twenty knots! Posted by Jim Bolland

 

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RNZYS sailor Chris Steel has won the Harken Youth International Match Racing 2012.

15 February 2012

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

HARKEN YOUTH INERNATIONAL MATCH RACING CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

10 – 14 February 2012

Auckland, New Zealand

 

 

 

After a gruelling day on the water with shifty, light winds the last two flights of Round Robin Two were finally completed at 1530hrs this afternoon. The Race Committee then decided that in order to have the semi-final races completed in the best conditions they would have to move to the Northern side of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

 

Chris Steele had this to say at Prizegiving “thanks team, Stu Dodson on main, Rawiri Geddes on trim, Jay Prestt on bow and thanks Guy Pilkington our coach. This was a great result for a team that have been selected from the RNZYS Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme.  The results don’t really show how close the racing was. Ash (Rooklyn) pushed us hard in the semis and it was close racing. We had a tough match against Jordan Reece, as well, in the finals. Full credit to the Race Committee and thanks to all our supporters form the YTP including our fellow Training Programme Members.”

 

Jordan Reece and his crew were out to cement their placing on the leader board right from the beginning today.

Reece, Henry Kermot, Arnau Farras-Knowles and Jaiden Stevens have sailed together for a year now and it showed with some great wins. Reece beat Steele first off this morning with a convincing 38 second win.

The CYCA team helmed by Ashlyn Rooklyn were fortunate to have last year’s winner Jay Griffin sailing with them. Although Rooklyn had a win and a loss in the final flights he held his own and pushed hard in the semi-finals to earn 4^th place.

David hazard who placed second in this event in 2011 had an unfortunate first two matches with a loss to Adam Middleton in Flight Eight and to rival Squadron team Chris Steele to place fifth.

 

George Brasell and his team from Bucklands  Beach Yacht Club has to be the most improved team in the regatta with a 6^th placing. Brasell had two tough matches today the first with the first match against Ashlyn Rooklyn and the second against Tim Coltman.

 

In 7^th place the third RNZYS team made up of Katie de Lange, Hannah Osbourne, Paige Cook, Holly Hamlin and Janelle Peat also had some tough matches. The first was against Nicholas Howe from RSYS and the second match was against Jordan Reece. De Lange did well to keep Reece to a 27 second lead.

 

Adam Middleton in 8^th place, whose team is relatively new to sailing together had a couple of great matches beating Dave Hazard by 27seconds in the first match and then Carla Sexton in his second match. Unfortunately not enough to climb the table.

 

Unfortunately Nicholas Howe whose team has also joined him at short notice and are relatively new together didn’t find their groove until today. They placed 9^th. Howe sailed against de Lange this morning and against Rooklyn in his final Round Robin Two match. Howe kept his cool and stayed in the groove to win convincingly in light and shifty winds that threatened to die completely.

 

In 10^th place Carla Sexton and her team of Gemma Rasdell, Lucas Price, Kasja Doyle and John Nairn from the CYCA Youth Scheme and this is their first regatta together. A big learning curve in trying conditions.

 

A big thanks to all our sponsors, Race Management, Umpires and Coaches, without whom a regatta of this nature couldn’t be run.  Also many thanks to the Boat Owners who billeted our teams, Debbie Whiting and Jim from Tequila, Tony Whiting of Taranui, Christiaan Arnes from Notorious, Steve and Anna Mair of Valiente and Rupert Wilson and Kristen Percy of High Octane and also to Quintin Fowler and family  for hosting Carla Sexton, her crew and coach from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Sydney.

 

 

Semi Final One
Coltman beat Reece by 2m20s
Steele beat Rooklyn by 21s

Semi Final Two
Reece beat Coltman
Steel beat Rooklyn

Final - 3rd and 4th Placing
Tim Coltman v Ashlen Rooklyn

Final - 1st and 2nd placing
Chris Steele v Jordan Reece Final Placing

 

FINAL RESULTS
1st - Chris Steele - RNZYS
2nd - Jordan Reece - RSYS
3rd - Ashlen Rooklyn - CYCA
4th - Tim Coltman - RPNYC
5th - David Hazard - RNZYS
6th - George Brasell - BBYC
7th - Katie De Lange - RNZYS
8th - Adam Middleton - RPNYC
9th - Nicholas Howe - RSYS
10th - Carla Sexton - RPNYC

 

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