Jump to content

Round North Island NOR


Duty Free

Recommended Posts

Insurance will be interesting Johno as many of the policies now have a race length stipulated. I had to get a special cover for the Three Kings Race which cam as a surprise. It adds significantly to the entry costs. Sign of the times.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Running a yacht race is bloody expensive! Other sports - like multisport - charge heaps more in relative terms to cover costs but sailing has a (very cool) spirit about it where we all try to keep costs down as much as possible and do as much as we can with what we have got. That is something quite unique to sailing I think (and completely contradicts notions that we are only a sport for elite wealthy) but it also comes at a big headache for volunteer organisers because we don't work in the 'commercially sustainable' zone where entry fees come in.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Any word on the A2B race and how busy it will be for us two handers in the RNI on that start line? When does the Expression of Interest become firm competitors so that we know what to expect?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Just got an email from A2B saying up to 70 boats will be on the line. A2B is limited to 30 boats, RNI is 25 so what are the other 15? Has RNI been increased?

 

Also Cameron is quoted as looking forward to Pre-race inshore races. What are these?

Link to post
Share on other sites

either someone has broken into Brooker's rum stash a bit early or there are some quality drugs doing the rounds...either way please let the rest of us know how we can join the party!!

Link to post
Share on other sites

If your have this race on you bucket list (and you should) there is now an opportunity to do it next February

Due to a health problem and an injury we have had two boat withdraw so this is your big chance as the fleet is limited to 30.

If your interested and would like more info PM or phone me 0274779745

Full details are available at this link. http://www.ssanz.co.nz/events/index.html?id=94

Link to post
Share on other sites

A2B has been canned anyway hasn't it for 2014 although I see Invercargill City Council granted them another 15,000 after the seed money they previously granted does not seem to have been accounted for :wtf: !

Link to post
Share on other sites
A2B has been canned anyway hasn't it for 2014 although I see Invercargill City Council granted them another 15,000 after the seed money they previously granted does not seem to have been accounted for :wtf: !

This was always very marginal so not surprising that it never flew.

The only two possibly serious EOI have entered the RNI

Link to post
Share on other sites

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: Obviously no one from Invercargill has ever been in Hobart after a Hobart race.

Cr: Mate I'm here to tell you about a new yacht race

Sailor: Burp

Cr: It finishes in Invercargill

Sailor: Barfs

Cr: Would you like to enter?

Sailor passes out on dock.

Cr: Bugger.

Link to post
Share on other sites

from the home page

 

The next and seventh addition of the Round North Island yacht race (RNI) gets underway on Saturday 8th February 2014. Organised and run by SSANZ (Shorthanded Sailing Association of NZ) interest is high in the extremely challenging event. There is a diverse range of yachts entered in the race from 8.5m sports boats to several brand new 50+ ft production performance cruisers. Round North Island yacht race is regarded by many as one of the toughest yacht races in the world with the inaugural race won by Sir Peter Blake in 1977 and this time iconic yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston had wished to compete, however due to a conflict of dates he is unable.

 

 

The fleet starts in Auckland with a sprint race to Mangonui where the fleet gets a 24hr pit stop. From there the fleet heads around North Cape out of the Pacific Ocean and into the Tasman sea for the journey down the rugged West Coast, through Cook Straight and into Wellington for a well-earned 48hr stopover.

 

There are a few social activities planned for the stopovers like a Craft Beer trail in Wellington, to capture the local culture and unite the crews and the various support teams. With half the race under their belts the crews all have plenty to talk about and the bragging or excuses could go on late into the night. Once recovered from the shore based activities the fleet heads around the notorious Cape Palliser and up the Wairarapa coast towards Napier for the third and final stopover. Napier provides another 48hr stopover to enjoy the sunshine and hospitality the Hawkes Bay has to offer and make the most of the now infamous Wine Tour which is a must do event on the RNI. From there the fleet races around East Cape and into the Bay of Plenty. From here it gets very tactical with plenty of islands to go around, tidal influences and wind shifts. Stakes are high as the race is often won or lost on the final leg.

Finishing within the Waitamata Harbour the crews get a chance to catch up and compare tactical decisions on the race while awaiting the final results. The very nature of this type of racing is the different conditions will suit different boats and they are bound to get a good range of both.

 

 

Wayne Woods with prolific yacht designer Greg Elliott as co skipper will be racing in Wayne’s new Elliott 35SS Bushido which sports all the latest ‘go fast’ technology, including a canting keel. Bushido was built with just one thing in mind –SPEED, and as a result, has no compromises for comfort. Wayne and Greg have a list of sailing achievements far too long to write but they will no doubt be a contender for line honours against some much larger but more comfortable yachts. A yacht built with more comfort in mind is White Gold, one of the largest yachts in the fleet. Wally and Tony Baker will be sailing Wally's brand new Bavaria 56 White Gold. The name is a reference to Wally’s background as a Dairy Farmer in Turua, but don’t be fooled these two have plenty of sea miles to their name with Tony having raced around the North island twice before.

 

The largest yacht in the fleet with probably the most sea miles is the Beneteau Oceanis 58 Laissez-faire with owner skipper Mack Story and co skipper Nils Loodin. Laissez-Faire was commissioned new in Italy last year and has recently sailed down to NZ for the race. This will be Mack’s third time competing in as many RNI races. There is some serious experience here and they could be a boat to watch.

 

Another newcomer to NZ is Laurie Needham’s new X Yacht XP44 Lawless. With very experienced Rodney Keenan as co skipper and an impressive result in the 2013 Coastal Classic, Lawless could certainly be a contender for handicap victory.

 

The entries for this popular race were limited to 30 and within 2 weeks of the entries opening there were 34 registered boats. That has reduced to 28 confirmed starters now with 2 spots still open. With such a wide range of yachts entered there will be without doubt a good number of similar yachts for everyone to race against.

 

Tick this one off your bucket list and get involved now!

http://www.ssanz.co.nz/events/index.html?id=94

Link to post
Share on other sites

Dear whoever was responsible for that press release- they are watching.

 

Hi David,

just a minor point on the RNI history, the first race was 1977, won by Gerontius skippered by owner Graeme Eder and crewed by Peter Blake.

cheers

Alan

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


×
×
  • Create New...