January 2006 News

The following items were placed on Crew.org.nz in January 2006 and have been archived without links or photos. Please use the 'search' function on the homepage of this website to find further info on a particular topic:


Dreamteams:
31 Jan - The 18 foot skiff team are tonight packing up the container with boats destined for the 18 foot Worlds in Australia. The team for this year's championships is headed by Graeme Catley in the Ssang Yong sponsored boat and includes Phil Airey on the C-tech sponsored boat and Chris Skinner on the Helly Hansen / Fishers Fine Arts bright yellow boat. At the same time, the Kiwi Match team are departing for the Hardy Cup, an ISAF Grade 3 event at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron. Best of luck guys, we'll be watching >

Posted 31/01/2006


Barker takes title:
29 Jan - New Zealand skipper Dean Barker today fulfilled a long-held ambition to win New Zealand’s premier match racing title by taking out the Auckland Match Racing Cup in a convincing 3-0 whitewash over his opponent and one-time sparring partner Bertrand Pacé. “It is great to finally win this event,” said an elated Barker, who paid tribute to his Emirates Team New Zealand crew of Terry Hutchinson, Don Cowie, Jared Henderson and Grant Loretz. Organisers are also celebrating the success of the five-day inaugural event, which replaces the former Steinlager-Line 7 regattas.

Posted 29/01/2006


Mean Machine:
29 Jan - The latest speed baby to come out of Hakes Marine in Wellington was launched last Thursday and seastrialed in Auckland on Saturday. The boat is a Transpac 52 and, interestingly, is tiller steered. The Mean Machine website (it seems she is #19 in a long line of 'Mean Machines') says "In 16 kn. of breeze the boat felt really easy to handle, even while many systems (main, vang, genoa cars etc.) were not put in place and working yet. Basically the TP52 feels like a scaled up Mumm30 with heaps of space for crew and helmsman to move around. The tiller feels great and opens up the cockpit big time." More >

Posted 29/01/2006


Bored?:
28 Jan - NZ RS:X National Champs, Day 1 Report - Racing got underway on in the Hauraki Gulf on time at 1300 with two races sailed in large confused seas and 15-25 knots. A Polish sailor dominated the day's racing winning both Race 1 & Race 2."Today we had good, close, difficult racing. Nice conditions but giant waves so it was not so easy," he said. Top ranked kiwi and sitting close behind is 2006 Oceanic Continental Champion, Jon-Paul Tobin who sailed a consistent day scoring 3,2 respectively. In the Women's division Anna Eason is in first on 3 points, Hayley Thom sits in 2nd with 5 Points and Steffanie Williams sits one point behind in 3rd. www.takapunaboating.org.nz

Posted 28/01/2006


Finito:
28 Jan - Bay of Islands Sailing Week is officially closed. Complete line, race, handicap and series results from three days of intense racing - more than 34 races held in total - are now on Crew.org.nz, along with photography and commentary from the most spectacular racing in NZ's northern waters. View >

Posted 28/01/2006


Looking outside...:
27 Jan - The Auckland Matchracing Cup is in full swing in a 15+ nor-easterly. As of this morning Dean Barker had a clean sweep of victories to his name and from Crew.org.nz's office you can hear the umpire's whistle blowing and even make out Peter Montgomery's ongoing commentary (if you listen hard). Have a look >

Posted 27/01/2006


Kiwis in top spots:
26 Jan - Going into Day 2 of the Auckland Matchracing Cup, two New Zealand skippers top the leaderboard after Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour dished up challenging racing conditions in the first day of the Auckland Match Racing Cup regatta. Emirates Team New Zealand’s crew, led by Dean Barker, finished today with five wins and one loss (5-1). New Zealander Cameron Appleton, who recently excelled in the New Zealand Match Racing Championships, was celebrating an impressive opening day result with the same score. Photo (c) Ivor Wilkins aucklandmatchracingcup.co.nz >

Posted 26/01/2006


Check it out:
25 Jan - There are over 100 boats out playing on the waters of the Bay of Islands right now and a lot of people have been very busy this morning, with two windward/leeward races completed.. We've managed to capture some of the action on film (there is so much to see!) so please check it out by clicking the link on the upper left hand side of this page.

Posted 25/01/2006


It's happenin':
25 Jan - Principal race officer Harold Bennett gave the all clear for racing this morning in the Auckland Matchracing Cup, so it's all on. Today’s match racing will consist of nine flights each with five quick-fire head-to-head races. Semi-finals and finals will take place on Saturday and Sunday. A detailed timetable of today’s racing and which boats skippers are racing in can be viewed at www.aucklandmatchracingcup.co.nz. Winner gets all of $US100,000.


Posted 25/01/2006


Plucky little things:
25 Jan - And lots of them too. Andrew Neame reports that 27 boats entered the Up-to-26 Club's fourth day of racing in Auckland last weekend. "Races were sailed in a light north-easter, with a slight chop. During the third race there some wind holes and fluctuations, which kept everyone on their toes. In the Tracker fleet, Comfortably Numb showed good speed to lead all of the races, but was pipped by Elly in races one and three. The Farr 727s had 6 boats racing, and The Source dominated with three wins. The mixed fleet could have been won by the Elliott 770 Crocodile, had they made it to the first race! So line honours went to the SR26 Markon'e finishing ahead of the White 7.9 ZGY. The Reactors were again led from the front by Umeme. And in the Noelex 22s Pure Magic came out first, but didn't have it all their way with Catch 22 winning the first race. Photos >

Posted 25/01/2006


Blazing:
24 Jan - Two classic ships met briefly yesterday on Waitemata Harbour to hand the Commonwealth Games torch from the care of NZL to Australia. Young Endeavour arrived from Australia and Spirit of New Zealand from Auckland's Historic Docks at the Viaduct. The torch was then carried on board a RIB by the medal winning athletes and transferred into the Endeavour's tender - in less than ideal conditions. The torch was held firm and made it onboard Young Endeavour where it will remain until they return to Australia. Click the photo for more images >

Posted 24/01/2006


Covering the Bay:
23 Jan - Who cares about the big stars in the matchracing cup? Well yes sure we do, but we are still leaving Auckland to be a part of Bay of Islands Sailing Week. On the eve of the opening of this great regatta, Crew.org.nz has begun its official coverage of what is going to be a fantastic and challenging few days of racing. Rob Webb will be on and around the water ensuring that every juicy detail of the day's events is delivered straight to your desktop. Click the link to the left to check for our regular updates. Best of luck to everyone out there.

Posted 23/01/2006


Success in Oz:
23 Jan - There is an old joke that goes 'why do Australians drink out of saucers? Because NZ has all the cups' It's certainly true in the 49er class right now. New Zealanders Jake Bartrom and Craig Prentice took out the 49er Australian National Championships which concluded on Saturday in Melbourne. A very satisfying win for the pair having beaten Australian hot shot in the 49er and winner of the Sydney International Regatta and Sail Melbourne, Nathan Outtenridge. “We were pleased with the overall improvement we made during the three Australian regattas,” says Craig Prentice. “We had rig trouble at Sail Melbourne which we sorted out towards the end, and then finished the regatta pretty well.” The pair then went on to record three out of six race wins at the National Championship giving them a six point winning margin over second place-getters Lehman and Elliott.


Posted 23/01/2006


Great fun:
23 Jan - On Saturday Yachting New Zealand launched a fantastic new initiative designed to get more youths into sailing, aptly called 'Sailing...Have a Go!'  The pilot program, consisting of a coach, a massive road trailer, and a fleet of Opti and Cadet boats, commences in the Northern Region this year and is already booked out many months in advance. At the launch fun race I was a ring-in for 'team Olympic' alongside the likes of Bruce and Barbara Kendall, Dean Barker, Jo Aleh. Proving that big names mean nothing in our sport, our rivals 'Teen Olympic' gave us a thrashing.  Click the photo for more pics from the day.

Posted 23/01/2006


Challenge '06:
23 Jan - At Crew.org.nz we're always looking for worthy events to support and help out. The Carson Challenge is one that your editor has taken part in for a couple of years running, and this year I challenge you to take your boat and the fitter members of your crew and get involved.  More >

Posted 23/01/2006


Almost here...:
20 Jan - The Auckland Match Racing Cup starts next Wednesday. From Wednesday January 25 to Sunday January 29, you will be able to once again see the world’s most talented sailors and skippers in town – including world number two Ed Baird of Team Alinghi and New Zealand’s Dean Barker and Chris Dickson – to race in the most prestigious yacht race New Zealand has seen since the America’s Cup. The winner of the event will be $US100,000 richer. There will be viewing areas and a cafe outside the RNZYS at Westhaven.

Posted 21/01/2006


'Even the tenders are cool':
21 Jan - From Will Calver - You can't failed to have seen ADIX out on the harbour (3 masted Gaff Schooner). Absolutely fantastic yacht. Sits on around 17/18 kts without trying under full rig. Crew bedecked in 1920's /30's sailing whites and her tenders / toys are a sight to behold. Clinker built dingy with Standing Lug Rig and a small motor boat, again all wood. She is surely the antithesis of LGB and I know which I would rather be on. Some pics from the 13th ,16th and 17th on line. Trying to persuade the boat to hang around for the tall ships race but think they will be off before then, who knows? Click the photo for more images >

Posted 21/01/2006


Now that's BIG:
18 Jan - By Rob Webb - Auckland yachties are well accustomed to superyachts but for a few days last week we were treated to the ultimate big boy’s boaty toy when ‘Le Grand Bleu’ paid us a visit. At 354’ it is listed as the 5th largest private yacht in the world and is owned by none other than Roman Abramovich, the 36-year-old Russian tycoon and owner of Britain's Chelsea Football Club. He is listed as Russia’s 2nd richest man (net worth a cool $5.7 billion) and he also owns the 6th and 16th largest yachts in the world! Even the photos were too big to use on our homepage, so click through to see more >

Posted 18/01/2006


Proudly bought to you by Norths...:
18 Jan - Like Crew.org.nz, North Sails is a big supporter of Bay of Islands Sailing Week, and the company will be there in force. They will be providing official tactical forecasts for every day of racing (available with your race amendments), and for all sail repairs, an overnight service is available from the Opua base – just look out for the North Sails van at Opua Wharf. The North Sails tent will also be the centre of all social happenings in Opua, and you’ll be getting to know some of the North Sails team quite well too, as at least 14 of them are racing, aboard Pussy Galore, V5, Formula 1, and Powerplay. If you are shopping for a last minute crew uniform, call into their store in Pakenham Street at the Viaduct, for a great selection of t-shirts, bags and caps. www.northsails.co.nz or call 09 359 5999.

Posted 18/01/2006


Upskill:
18 Jan - The 470 class are putting on an upskilling session for 470 sailors that want to lift their game. Participants include the team off to Greece this year for the masters worlds, club sailors from Wellington travelling to Auckland for the Nationals, the team from Wellington, the junior squad emerging from 420s, and others interested in double handed sailing. The Takapuna clinic runs on 7 and 8 February and covers setup and boat tuning as well as on the water coaching. For info contact Andrew Brown.

Posted 18/01/2006


100 years young:
16 Jan - Lake Brunner Yacht Club near Greymouth is celebrating a century of sailing on its crystal blue shores on 11 and 12 February, 2006. Friday evening starts the occassion with a social get together. Saturday is registration, lunch, two races and an evening meal, and Sunday is a classic boat parade as well as two more races, and of course prizegiving and afternoon tea. For info contact Gary on hopkinson@xtra.co.nz or tel. (03) 768 9519.

Posted 16/01/2006


Tall ship:
16 Jan - A couple of weeks ago, Will of Ocean Photography was in the Bay of Islands to shoot the Tall Ships Regatta in progress around Russell. He liked what he saw, and so did we. Feel free to check out his awesome library of images by clicking on the photo to the right.

Posted 16/01/2006


88888888888:
16 Jan - From the Y88 Assn - "Yes, it’s been 25 years since Jim penned the most popular one design keelboat class in New Zealand and to celebrate the Y88s are having a party at Lidgard House on Saturday the 4th of Feb. Of course, in true 88 style, it wouldn’t be right without having a race up there! On Saturday at 10am the race will start on foot outside RNZYS (skippers only). We will then run to A pier and row/swim out to our boats where our crew will be motoring around just outside the breakwater. Then sail/motor/row up to Kawau. DJs, BBQ and lots of prizes and sponsors." Want more?  www.young88.org.nz

Posted 16/01/2006


High Five:
16 Jan - Sail Melbourne ISAF Grade 1 regatta finished yesterday and kiwi board sailor JP Tobin claimed the silver medal on the new RS:X board. Also in the medals was the recently formed pair of Aaron McIntosh and Bruce Kendall in the Tornado who won bronze. In total, New Zealand claimed five top five finishest David Robertson finished fourth giving New Zealand two in the top four of the RS:X class. Aaron McIntosh and Bruce Kendall claimed the bronze medal in the Tornado class a close two points behind the British pair of McMillan and Howden. In the men’s 470, New Zealand placed fourth with Auckland pair Geoff Woolley and Mark Overington performing consistently throughout the regatta. Jake Bartom and Craig Prentice finished the regatta strongly in the 49er class winning the final medal race and finishing fourth overall. www.yachtingnz.org.nz

Posted 16/01/2006


24 hour blitzer:
12 Jan - It's was a 24 hour blitzer by all accounts for the boys from ABN Amro 2 in the Volvo Ocean Race, who managed to make ABN1's astonishing record of 546nm in 24 hours look pretty lame when they first achieved a run of 558 miles, topped by 563 miles just shortly afterwards. A pretty cool achievement, especially given that they are the youngest crew on the water and at the race start the record stood at just 530 miles. However there is still a long way to go and we expect to see the record reset many times before the race is out. www.volvooceanrace.com

Posted 12/01/2006


The Enduro:
12 Jan - It just keeps getting better at the Short Handed Sailing Association of New Zealand. The team that bought you the 130+ boat fleet in the grueling SIMRAD Barrier Triple Series are now delivering a one off, endurance event encompassing more legs, more distance, and more partying at the finale. The Waitangi Enduro Two Handed race takes place on Waitangi Weekend (3-5 Feb), with boats departing on Friday night (170nm) or Saturday morning (90 or 70nm) to arrive in time for party central at Bon Accord on the Sunday night. Full details at www.ssanz.co.nz

Posted 12/01/2006


Us the dominators:
12 Jan - From Shaun Sheldrake - Interdominions in 12 foot skiffs - Strong performances throughout the fleet from the New Zealand team saw the lead increased the lead over Australia, at the end of six races New Zealand hold a 1073 to 860 points lead. The trend of a different winner in each race continues, today's winners were Gizmo (Michael Bochner & Cameron Macdonald) pictured below and Nuplex (Alex Valings & Nathan Handley). The breeze arrived for race 6 with virtually the entire fleet choosing to put the big rigs back on the trailers and change to 2nd rigs, the sea breeze built to around 15 knots. With six races we now complete (enough to constitute a series) the results at the top of the table will still change as Nuplexs' average points for races 1 and 2 are applied. There are also decisions from two protests heard this morning to be included within the results tomorrow, these will create some change in the middle of the fleet. The first discard is applied once eight races are completed.

Posted 12/01/2006


Race On!:
9 Jan - With BOI Race Week just over two weeks away, over 70 entries have already been filed, from fifty footers and ex America's Cup boats, down to Etchells, Flying Fifteens and sport boats. Crew.org.nz will be up there to cover and photograph the action. In the meantime, check out the entry list at www.opuaonline.co.nz >

Posted 9/01/2006


Honoured:
9 Jan - Congratulations to Grant Beck, who was awarded a MNZM (Members of the Order) in the New Zealand Honours List for 2006, for his services to yachting and boardsailing. Grant coached Bruce Kendall and Barbara Kendall to numerous Olympic medals and world championships, and remains closely tied to the NZL Olympic yachting team as well as Team New Zealand.

Posted 9/01/2006


New Zealand dominating 12 foot skiff Interdominions:
9 Jan - At the completion of yesterdays racing the New Zealand team had established a 140 point advantage over Australia. Two races were sailed in ideal and testing conditions, a 12-15 knot shifty sou-wester on a perfect Auckland summers day. This year’s regatta is the 46th occasion that the two teams have contested the John Brooke Memorial trophy. The tricky conditions rewarded consistency, in the individual standings the regatta is being lead two Wellington skiffs, As good as it gets (Glenn Armstrong & Tim Faulknor) lead after scoring two 5th placings, one point clear of skiff.org.nz (Shaun Sheldrake & Craig Anderson). Experience in the local conditions was used to good effect by the two race winners, Martin Hughes (Paul Macintosh & Ken Fyfe) and Hi Rev (Greg Roake & Adam Miller). Racing continues on Tuesday. Skiff.org.nz

Posted 9/01/2006