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Solo figure-eight around NZ for Kiwi kids


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Elana Connor is an amazing solo sailor from California, aboard a 34ft sloop called ‘Windfola’ she was embarking on a solo circumnavigation of the world- raising awareness for kids in foster care, (as this is her story) when Covid19 hit and she found herself stranded in Tauranga for Lockdown level 4. She very quickly became part of our Family here at Tauranga Bridge Marina and has under gone some significant revamps to her vessel and her plans.

 

With no ability to continue her mission to circumnavigate for a while, due to international restrictions, she has turned salt water into champagne, by turning her focus to Kiwi Kids in care. She has partnered with ‘Voyce’- Whakarongo Mai and is starting a fundraising campaign where she is going to complete a figure eight navigation of New Zealand.  Voyce and Elana have decided the money raised will offer kids in care the opportunity to fully funded youth development voyages with the ‘Spirit of Adventure Trust’ aboard the Spirit of New Zealand.

The campaign officially kicks off in Auckland, TODAY at 10am... 14th October, from Princes Wharf with the Spirit of NZ tall ship escorting her out of the Auckland Harbour, her voyage will see her visit many ports around New Zealand as she raises awareness towards kids in foster care and hopes to inspire them to dream big! She expects to complete the figure eight in February before the start of the America’s Cup Race.

 

The campaign is gaining some great momentum with Voyce Whakarongo Mai proactively in charge of the marketing and media, Spirit of Adventure Trust, Sir Michael Fay, Yachting NZ, kids in care and their caregivers all over the country in support of her voyage.

Mike Delamore, (SV Cavatina) who has just completed his own round NZ voyage, has helped Elana with advice and some of his safety gear is making a second circumnavigation, this time on Windfola

This is a great opportunity to help kiwi kids get onboard the Spirit of New Zealand for a life changing experience.

https://www.peregrinasails.com/

 

elana.jpg

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Elena is in Tauranga today and on her way to Gisbourne on Saturday morning, come down and meet her, or join the flotilla seeing her off at 8:30 on Saturday 🙂 Oh and donate! its a great cause 👍

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17 minutes ago, Ladyhawk said:

Elena is in Tauranga today and on her way to Gisbourne on Saturday morning, come down and meet her, or join the flotilla seeing her off at 8:30 on Saturday 🙂 Oh and donate! its a great cause 👍

Tauranga Sports Fishing Club

66 Keith Allen Dr Sulphur Point 

Friday 6-8pm 

Restaurant and bar open 

 

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/voyage-for-voyce#:~:text=Help Aotearoa New Zealand's youth,day%2C life-changing journeys!

Screenshot_20201022-091121_Instagram.jpg

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Couple of articles on Elena's stopover in Tauranga, the flotilla seeing her off including tugs, coastguard vessels etc was pretty awesome!, shes now in Gisbourne after a perfect conditions for  rounding East cape.

https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/254656-solo-sailor-visits-bop-during-foster-care-voyage.html

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/flotilla-for-woman-sailing-a-figure-8-for-new-zealands-foster-children-as-she-leave-tauranga/RY3QTCK6HVA72YA67P3TI22ZXY/

 

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Yup Elana is just pulling into Milford sound after an awesome run down the west coast, she's really picked a great window for the coast run.  Almost $14000 raised to help foster kids in care, amazing effort so far! Truly inspirational, lets give her a helping hand by donating! 👍

westcoast.jpg.db7409618b99492964a9b76148cd7801.jpgVFV.jpg.8bd699d228b3bb1fb43a4186011027a0.jpg

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Hi guys, Elana has just arrived in Akaroa after a gnarly rounding of the bottom of the South Island, battling engine troubles, electronic issues and a bout of the flu in Dunedin.

Great news article on Newsroom on the voyage too.

https://www.newsroom.co.nz/lockerroom/round-the-world-solo-sailor-steers-clear-of-her-fears

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Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 4 PM
Price: Free
 
Come down to Auckland's Princes Wharf, Viaduct Harbour to see Spirit of New Zealand and Windfola come into Auckland on the final port stop of Elana Connor's figure-8 solo circumnavigation of New Zealand.
Elana has been raising funds for VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai which will enable the creation of a new scholarship program for youth in foster care to attend the 10-day youth development journeys aboard the Spirit of New Zealand tall ship.
Be there to cheer them on in celebration of this momentous effort. With almost $40,000 dollars raised already for the foster youth of Aotearoa it's something to be proud of
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Feel free to join in with her welcome flotilla, she is sailing in with the Spirit of New Zealand from Motuihe at 2pm on the 16th, be great so see has many boats out there as possible

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