In This Issue
America's Cup: Mayor insists all three base options are still alive
Another day, another America's Cup plan
Four plans for the America's Cup and now a mystery report
Kru Sport Pro lifejackets from Ocean Safety set the new standard for extreme sailing
Volvo Ocean Race: Auckland leg set for thrilling finish
RORC Caribbean 600 - Coming of age
Safety first for Nagel in Caribbean
World Sailing Show
Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image rules and schedule updated
Ian Proctor Centenary Rally
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: Charles Bukowski
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America's Cup: Mayor insists all three base options are still alive
Former Mayor and Councillor, Christine Fletcher has queried the Minutes of the meeting of the Governing Body (full 21-member Council). Her stance prompted the Council CEO to say he was foreshadowing a two-week extension to the period to be allowed for Submissions on the Resource Consent currently underway.
Councillor Fletcher opened her comments by querying whether the Minutes of the December 14 Meeting which approved the proposal known as Wynyard Basin, were incorrect, or if the Mayor had exceeded his delegated authority around the America's Cup base proposal approved by Council.
Fletcher has strong credentials, being the only member of the current Council to have visited an America's Cup outside New Zealand, attending the 2013 Match in San Francisco. She also worked in the family business Lees Marine earlier in her career, and lived through the dark days of the 25% Boat Tax in the mid-eighties. The former MP was Mayor of Auckland during the development of the Viaduct Harbour project and the 2000 America's Cup.
www.sail-world.com/news/202320
Another day, another America's Cup plan
A fourth option modelling what an America's Cup Village in Auckland might look like has arrived today as a planning deadline nears with no agreement in sight.
Waterfront land owner Viaduct Harbour Holdings wants most of the eight team bases built on Wynyard Harbour, without the wharf extensions needed in other plans.
Chief executive Angela Bull told Nine to Noon that while it would benefit from not having a series of rowing team buildings on wharves, public spaces would gain the most.
"Public parks, promenades and walkways have all been very carefully planned over the last 20 years, and those are views that would be disrupted by having a wall of 15m-high buildings and new structures into the harbour," she said.
The company will submit its views to the Environment Court hearing due to consider an application for a Resource Consent to build a village.
Public submissions were due to close next Wednesday on a plan for the America's Cup bases, agreed in December between Auckland Council and Team New Zealand.
However those were likely to be extended because there was yet to be final agreement between the council, government and the cup defender on whether changes would be made.
A "hybrid" proposal driven by the government's lead minister David Parker was released jointly with Auckland mayor Phil Goff last week, but its final status was not yet clear.
Four plans for the America's Cup and now a mystery report
A mystery report has been written into the latest options for the America's Cup in Auckland, which are driving a wedge between Team New Zealand, senior politicians and some of the city's wealthiest businessmen.
The Weekend Herald has learned about the existence of the report, which is believed to assess plans put forward in the past 10 days by Team NZ and a "hybrid" option agreed between Economic Development Minister David Parker and Mayor Phil Goff.
It is understood the report does not assess a new plan announced on Thursday by Viaduct Harbour Holdings (VHH), owned by businessmen whose families have a combined wealth of more than $1.5 billion, according to the NBR Rich List.
The four options:
Wynyard Basin option:
Locates the bases around Wynyard Basin from Hobson Wharf to Wynyard Point. Involves a 75m extension to Halsey Wharf for four bases, a 75m extension to Hobson Wharf for the Team New Zealand base and a small extension on Wynyard Wharf for three bases. Agreed by the council in December with support from Team New Zealand and publicly notified in January. The only option with any legal status.
Hybrid option:
Incorporates elements of the of the Wynyard Basin option with more land-based bases on Wynyard Point and reduces the proposed extension to Halsey Wharf from 75m to 35m. The Team New Zealand base stays on a 75m extension to Hobson Wharf. Economic Development Minister David Parker and Mayor Phil Goff agreed on this option last week.
Team New Zealand option:
A variation on the "hybrid" option with seven bases on a 75m extension to Halsey Wharf and the Team New Zealand base on a 75m extension to Hobson Wharf. No bases on Wynyard Point.
Viaduct Harbour Holdings option:
A variation on the "hybrid" option that moves the Team New Zealand Base from Hobson Wharf to a 30m extension on Halsey Wharf. Five bases on Wynyard Point and two bases on Beaumont St. -- Bernard Orsman
Kru Sport Pro lifejackets from Ocean Safety set the new standard for extreme sailing
Ergonomic shaping makes it barely noticeable to wear even for long periods of time. A low profile scoop neck design sits away from the neck to increase movement and comfort. The front zip waistcoat has easy side adjusters. Clip a handheld VHF radio on to the new utility belt loop.
An interlock bladder delivers superfast turning speeds and keeps a wearer's airways free from channelled water, reducing the risk of secondary drowning. The bladder is simple to repack after use. The jackets are AIS ready for personal recovery system. There's more - a storage pocket for PLB and safety knife, viewing window for cylinder checks and kill cord loops.
The Kru Sport Pro is available at all major retailers in a range of colours from mid-March.
Volvo Ocean Race: Auckland leg set for thrilling finish
The leading Volvo Ocean Race boats are duelling for the leg win as they make their way down the east coast of the North Island.
Team AkzoNobel and Scallywag are bow-to-stern off the Karikari Peninsula, north of the Bay of Islands, around 150 nautical miles from the finish of the sixth leg in Auckland.
They're just eight nautical miles clear of Turn the Tide on Plastic. Both boats are expected to finish the leg between midnight at 2am.
There are two Kiwis onboard Team AkzoNobel and one on Turn the Tide on Plastic, but there's no New Zealand presence on Scallywag.
The leading three boats are scheduled to arrive in Auckland around midnight, with Dongfeng Race Team, overall leaders MAPFRE and Team Brunel expected to finish in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
America's Cup winner and MAPFRE crewmember Blair Tuke told the Mike Hosking Breakfast show that they caught sight of the Three Kings Islands at day break and were not far away from mainland New Zealand.
"We should see mainland New Zealand in a couple of hours and be at North Cape within four hours. Pretty excited to be honest," the America's Cup and Olympic champion said this morning.
RORC Caribbean 600 - Coming of age
The RORC Caribbean 600 has grown up to become a 'must do' offshore classic. Now celebrating its tenth anniversary, the 600-mile race around 11 Caribbean islands is on the bucket list of any serious offshore sailor. This year, any remanence of its stature as a Caribbean cruise was totally extinguished. 25 knots of solid trade winds with gusty squalls and a confused sea state delivered a challenge to over 800 sailors from six different continents. The 2018 edition of the race was the coming of age of the RORC Caribbean 600.
The importance of the race to Antigua & Barbuda was recognised at the prize giving where guests of honour included: The Governor General Deputy, Sir Clair Roberts and his wife, The Hon E.P. Chet Greene, Minister for Sports; Shirlene Nibbs, Consultant to the Ministry of Tourism; Shamoy Richards, Cruise marketing manager for the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority; Admiral of Antigua Yacht Club, Sir Hugh Bailey, and Commodore of Antigua Yacht Club, Franklyn Braithwaite GOH. The RORC Admiral, Andrew McIrvine, RORC Chief Executive, Eddie Warden Owen were both in attendance along with most of the RORC Committee. RORC Commodore Steven Anderson, who took part in the race with his family on board Gemervescence, was quick to praise the army of volunteers and the race committee for their hard work, as well as all the competitors - pointing out that the vast majority were passionate corinthians, the heart and soul of the Royal Ocean Racing Club.
George David's American Maxi Rambler 88 scorched around the 600-mile track to set a new monohull course record of 37 hours 41 minutes and 45 seconds, beating the record set by David's previous boat, Rambler 100 in 2011. After setting the best corrected time under IRC, Rambler 88 remained unbeaten, winning the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy. George David commented. "In 10 years the '600 has gone from a handful of boats in its first edition, to 84 on its tenth anniversary. It's a great race all around; congratulations to the RORC and everyone involved. We're delighted to have won overall in IRC and better yet to have broken our own record at the same time."
Ron O'Hanley's American Cookson 50 Privateer came the closest to beating Rambler 88 for the overall win, finishing the race in just under 52 hours, but falling short of the best IRC corrected time by just over one hour. This was an excellent result for a 50 footer in what was regarded as a big boat race because of the epic weather conditions.
Third place overall was shared by two boats - Stephen Murray's Volvo 70 Warrior and Jens Kellinghusen's German Ker 56 Varuna. Warrior's corrected time gave her third overall and Varuna was awarded time allowance for the assistance she gave in the successful rescue of Greg Slyngstad's Fujin crew after she capsized on the first night, and this equalled Warrior's corrected time. A special mention should go to the crew of Stephen Cucchiaro's Gunboat Flow, which also assisted in the rescue.
Safety first for Nagel in Caribbean
Emily Nagel has cited safety concerns as the primary reason for her team retiring from the ongoing Royal Ocean Racing Club Caribbean 600 offshore race.
The Bermudian sailor and her team-mates, that included America's Cup winner Shannon Falcone, were forced to drop out less than 24 hours into the 600-mile classic after the DNA F4 foiling catamaran they were competing on encountered electronic issues in challenging conditions that have taken a heavy toll on the racing fleet.
"It was in the early hours of Tuesday morning when our wind gear failed and we lost all our numbers," Nagel told The Royal Gazette. "While normally in a monohull this wouldn't be the end of the race, as the conditions were so bad it was decided it would be safer to head back to Antigua. Going downwind without instruments in these conditions could have had serious consequences.
"The Caribbean 600 was an awesome experience, with over 25 knots and a messy sea state it was a wet and wild ride.
"The first day went really well for us, we were able to get the F4 up and going quickly, keeping up with bigger boats. It was very squally and so had the full crew on deck for the duration of the day, making multiple sail changes and constantly being ready to ease the sails if needed."
The DNA F4 is a new carbon 46-foot foiling One Design catamaran designed and built to push the boundaries of long-distance racing, with Nagel using her naval architect expertise to help improve its design platform. -- Colin Thompson
World Sailing Show
If you thought the Middle East was all sand and skyscrapers, think again. The scenery for the new style 1,000km Sailing Arabia The Tour was spectacular.
From the start in Salalah to the finish in Muttrah, from jaw dropping landscapes, to challenging weather, the new look 14 day event provided plenty to take onboard for crews as they got to grips with their new fleet of Diem 24 trimarans. The World Sailing Show was there.
Also in this month's show, what life is like aboard a miniature offshore racer - the current Mini Transat champion gives us the tour. And what's the latest in the Volvo Ocean Race and how do crews change gear aboard a Volvo 65 and select the right sail? Race guru and Mapfre team member Rob Greenhalgh explains in our World Sailing Show exclusive. Plus, how a pumped up idea could be the future for sailing
- The new look Sail Arabia The Tour
- Mini Transat: Life aboard a small boat on a big ocean
- What's in a Volvo 65's sail wardrobe
- The inflatable wing sail: The future?
- Europe's hot ships
- World Cup Series Miami
Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image rules and schedule updated
The international photo contest Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image announces updates to its rules, designed to respond to the evolution of the profession and the latest technologies.
The ninth edition of the competition will take place one month earlier than usual, due to the dates adopted by the Yacht Racing Forum (22-23 October 2018, Brittany, Lorient), shortly before the start of the Route du Rhum.
Photographers are invited to submit their best image, taken between 13 October 2017 and 12 September 2018.
Photos must be submitted by 12 September 2018 at midnight.
The 80 best images will be pre-selected by a panel of three international photographers and published on the competition website on 18 September. Public votes will be open between September 18 and October 10.
The twenty best images chosen by the international jury will be announced on 1 October, then exhibited at the Yacht Racing Forum in Lorient, France, on 22-23 October, in the presence of the main personalities of the sailing world.
The competition rules have also been adapted following a consultation process with some of the biggest names in sailing photography. Here is an excerpt from the main updates (the detailed rules can be found here):
- Photographs taken from a helicopter, drone or selfie stick are accepted.
- Photos extracted from videos are not accepted.
- Photos can be digitally superimposed (...)
- The subject of the photograph must have a direct and obvious link with yacht racing.
No fewer than 137 photographers representing 27 nations submitted an image for the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image competition in 2017. The award was won by German photographer Soren Hese.
Ian Proctor Centenary Rally
One of the undisputed greats of sailing dinghy design, Ian Proctor was a driving force in creating the huge growth of sailing interest throughout the second half of the 20th century.
The Ian Proctor Centenary Rally seeks to showcase the finest examples of Proctor designs. Bosham Sailing Club is working with owners and class associations to identify suitable participants from across the country. It already has interest from Wayfarers Nos1 & 3, Minisail No1, Gull No1, Kestrel No1, plus some Bosuns, Ospreys, Merlin Rockets, National 18s, Toppers, and Wanderers.
However, it is on the lookout for more examples of the classes identified above plus some more of the lesser known designs including Adventuress, Alpha, Beaufort, Blue Peter, Eclipse, Firebird, Firecrest, International 14, International Canoe, Marlin, National 12, Nimrod, Peregrine, Pirate, Reedling, Rocket, Seagull, Seamew, SigneT, Tempest, Typhoon, Wildfire and Zenith.
The event starts on Saturday 2 June with a Concours d'Elegance, followed by a gala dinner in the evening. On Sunday 3 June, the Centenary Rally will take place in Chichester Harbour finishing at Bosham Quay in the afternoon.
The event is being sponsored by Hartley Boats and Topper International.
If you have a fine example of any of these boats, please visit the Bosham Sailing Club stand (B19) at the RYA Dinghy Show 2018, 3-4 March, or visit www.boshamsailingclub.com or twitter #IanProctorCentenary or email
Letters To The Editor -
Letters are limited to 350 words. No personal attacks are permitted. We do require your name but your email address will not be published without your permission.
* From Ginny Jones:
This is a fascinating video if you are interested in the ocean, life boats, maritime stuff, farming, pubs, music, beautiful scenery or perhaps an exhibitions of pure courage tempered by skill and a well trained crew. Look at the seas from the lifeboat which are daunting but watching the helicopter winching folks up is even more so. While you are watching don't forget a quiet prayer "For those in peril on the sea.
If anyone can figure out how to get rid of the German over dubbing, please let me know as I want to watch it again with just the Scottish narrative. The combo of Scottish narrative, German over dubbing and the English sub titles is a bit confusing!
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Launched originally as "Silk Cut", she quickly established herself as the fastest ocean racer on the water and held the 24hr record for a number of years. In more recent times, she was known as “SEB" and now "Bou Dragon", where she has been meticulously maintained and modernised by her current owner.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
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Classic S&S Tartan 41, from 1973, with experienced owners who have shown her to be a competitive offshore racer. With many recent upgrades, she has been well loved and family cruised, as well as hitting the race circuit. Now seriously for sale.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
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The Last Word
We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us. -- Charles Bukowski
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