Ceramco heading for NZ

[ex Elly 276]

From todays Weekend Herald...

 

Blake boat heads back Downunder

Aboard a fabled yacht in the Caribbean, a big plan is being hatched. Dianne Masters, owner of the sleek 20m ocean racer, wants to sail it to its original home port, Auckland, pick up a New Zealand crew and enter it in the Sydney-Hobart Race. And if the lithe but ailing 47-year-old achieves her aim it will be a historic moment.

 

The boat is Ceramco NZ and this year's Bass Strait classic marks the 30th anniversary of Peter Blake's victory, only the fourth line and handicap honours in the race's history. Blake then headed off around the world in the celebrated Whitbread race, in which a broken mast cheated him and his crew of a likely victory.

 

full story at

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/artic ... d=10625810

[John B 119]

Good news, I was just reading an old seapray last week which had her renamed Winterhawk and based in California. I always thought she was a really pretty hull.

[Guest]

I saw her in Ft Lauderdale years ago, in good nick, whoever owned her then was looking after her.

[Murky 5]

Reminds me a bit of the Ragtime/Infidel experience, in that the owners - along with Kiwis old enough to remember - get a kick out of bringing the boats "home". Which is a bonus for everyone.

 

Although I'd have to say:

sail it to its original home port, Auckland, pick up a New Zealand crew and enter it in the Sydney-Hobart Race.

A few emails and some plane tickets has perhaps taken over as a way of putting together a Sydney-Hobart crew.

 

I see that there is mention of sponsorship being required for the race - wonder if a repeat of the fundraising tour of NZ ports is planned. An updated version of that photo shoot at Milford Sound with the Air NZ kite up might get them some flights for the crew.

[Myjane 40]

I have a brass etching that was presented to Blake by Elaine dunane many years ago hanging in my shed , I brought it in a hauraki corner second hand store