4 minute read
A day at the races: marking the Melbourne Cup
Get on board with NZ Sailing Trust
Perched on North Head and watching the memorable duel between Steinlager 2 and Fisher & Paykel NZ on their final sprint into Auckland during the 1989-90 Whitbread Round the World Race left an indelible mark on Charles Scoones. Now, 23 years later, he has the privilege working with both yachts in the NZ Sailing Trust …
The 1990 New Year was only three days old and, with binoculars braced against my knees, I could just make out two spinnakers almost alongside each other in the Tiri channel. Having match-raced halfway around the world at the head of the Whitbread fleet, the two Kiwi ketches skippered by Peter Blake and Grant Dalton were neck and neck.
Then, as Steinlager 2 dropped its spinnaker, Fisher & Paykel NZ charged on before broaching, its kite flogging wildly, victim of one of those infamous Auckland southerly squalls. Steinlager 2 took the gun and Blake, in charge of his third round the world campaign, laid to rest his demons, first by leading the fleet into his home town and ultimately with the unique achievement of winning every leg of the race around the world.
In the days following her win, I queued up with my son Toby to go on board the big red ketch. At that moment I could not have believed that one day I might be skipper of this famous yacht. Toby too would not have known that he would one day be making sails for this same boat.
Born into a sailing family, I earned a living in sail training, yacht delivery and charter work. John Appleton took me on as a skipper on the Pride of Auckland tourist yachts. From across the dock, I witnessed the formation of the New Zealand Sailing Trust with Lion New Zealand in 2008, then the purchase and refit of Steinlager 2 four years later.
I watched enviously as Big Red and Lion came and went from the Viaduct with excited students aboard. I put my name on the Trust’s volunteer crew list and managed to get a ride aboard Big Red for an Auckland-Tauranga race. On the sail home (and probably hogging the helm a bit), I decided I wanted more.
Over time, the head skipper, Andre, entrusted me with more responsibilities aboard both boats. It was a challenging time learning how to handle these maxi yachts. Finally came the day when it was me giving the command to cast off with 28 school students and three crew aboard Steinlager 2.
As the young crew bent to the unfamiliar task of hoisting the massive sails, Big Red came alive in response to the breeze. Handing the helm to a nervous young student who grew up on a farm, the thrill for both of us could not be measured. This is my day job. Pinch me.
The NZ Sailing Trust is a New Zealand outdoor education, youth development provider operating mainly in the Tīkapa Moana / Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
We sail year round, up to 200 days annually carrying over 1200 young New Zealanders from all communities nationwide. We deliver to a large
The NZ Sailing Trust gives school children from around the country and representing all socio-economic groups a unique, sometimes life-changing, outdoor experience.
number of schools across the country and representing the full socioeconomic spectrum.
Typically, during a four or five day voyage, Lion New Zealand and Steinlager 2 will sail the relatively sheltered waters of the Hauraki Gulf, out to Great Barrier, the Mercury islands, or stretch their legs further with a passage up to Whangarei, the Bay of Islands, or down to Tauranga. After a week at sea, the students have had a unique and sometimes lifechanging experience.
It is not always plain sailing as the programme does not stop in foul weather. After all, these boats were built for the Southern Ocean. At the end of a voyage, to feel and experience the growth in the students’ confidence and see the grins on their faces as they step ashore makes our job well worthwhile. We are sure Sir Peter Blake would approve.
Working with the NZ Sailing Trust team is a unique and empowering experience and I would encourage anyone who has their maritime certs perhaps gathering dust in a file somewhere to get in touch; we could do with more helpers.
The NZ Sailing Trust is looking for casual skippers, a full time skipper and maintenance manager/skipper role. • If you have suitable maritime qualifications, some great energy to share with our young people, or know of anyone who has, call Evelien van Vliet, General Manager, 021 333 816, or email your expression of interest to evelien@nzsailingtrust.com
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