Breeze June/July

BREEZE

Issue No. 241 • June – July 2022

Official Publication of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

2 Breeze Magazine

35 41 48

SWIFT TRAWLER 48

Your Home On The Water

The newest member of the ever stylish Swift Trawler range is the ideal boat for getting away from it all. With over 1000 owners worldwide the Swift Trawler design is truly iconic, bringing together comfort, safety, fuel efficiency and style to create a unique and exciting way to experience cruising.

Call today for more information.

36 Degrees Brokers

Auckland | Opua | Picton | Tahiti

+64 9 903 1001

info@36degrees.nz

www.36degrees.nz

Ivor Wilkins Photo

WIRED – Winner RNZYS Three Kings Race 2022 Bakewell-White 52 by Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders

Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders Custom Boatbuilders of Distinction lloydstevensonyachts.co.nz | 09 2747689 robert@lsb.co.nz 021 678 640

4 Breeze Magazine

Exquisite Craftsmanship

Masterbuilder’s own Warwick 14.5m Over a long and distinguished career, Matakana boatbuilder Barry Jones built a portfolio of fine boats, many of them to designs by Warwick Yacht Design. Eau de Vie was always going to be special: this was Barry’s own boat, crafted to exceptional standard in 2007 and impeccably maintained ever since. With accommodation for six in an owners’ stateroom and two double aft cabins, Eau de Vie has an extensive inventory of top-quality equipment to make for comfortable cruising.

Easily-handled, she is a powerful performer of unequalled pedigree.

An Ocean Aristocrat offering Elegant and Stylish Cruising (09) 376 6331 or Wayne 0274 502 654 • www.lauriecollins.co.nz

CONTENTS

Cover: ETNZ’s Horonuku, speed testing in preparation for the world landspeed record attempt. – Ivor Wilkins Photo EDITORIAL Please address all editorial correspondence to the Editor, Ivor Wilkins ivorw@xtra.co.nz Phone 09 425 7791 ADVERTISING inklink@xtra.co.nz Phone 09 378-1222.

DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are purely those of the authors and are not necessarily the official view of the RNZYS, nor of the publishers.

PERMISSION Reproduction rights in part or in full of the contents of this publication must be applied for from the Editor.

DEADLINES For August - September Issue Editorial - 5 August Advertising booking - 5 August Advertising material due - 12 August Magazine posted - 19 August Layout and Typesetting by Ocean Press Ltd Printed by Soar Communications Group Registered as a magazine at the GPO, Wellington. ISSN 0113-7360

From the Commodore .........................................................................................................................................................5 From the CEO ...........................................................................................................................................................................6 Cruising Division Report .....................................................................................................................................................8 Sailing Office Report ........................................................................................................................................................... 12 Blair is Umpire/Judge of the Year .................................................................................................................................14 Full-on foodie is thriving in a happy industry .......................................................................................................15 Bryan Kensington steps down after long service as RNZYS Trustee .................................................... 16 Spreading the Squadron story through informative guided tours ........................................................... 17 Squadron Coming Events ................................................................................................................................................. 18 Rumpus in Paradise ..............................................................................................................................................................20 Bowled over by hearty chowder .................................................................................................................................22 Jo Aleh back on the Olympic trail ............................................................................................................................... 24 RNZYS to host World Sailing Women’s Match Racing World Championships .............................. 27 International racing returns with a bang ..................................................................................................................28 Thanking the Mums .............................................................................................................................................................30 Swift across the land: ETNZ landspeed record attempt ...............................................................................32 Project hydrogen flies into the future .......................................................................................................................36 America’s Cup updates with ETNZ ..........................................................................................................................40 A case of serious brand addiction ..............................................................................................................................42 An exceptional Fiordland experience .......................................................................................................................46 Fabulous Fiordland ................................................................................................................................................................50 Performance Programme Report ............................................................................................................................... 54 Youth Programme Report ............................................................................................................................................... 55 Classic Yacht Association Journal ..................................................................................................................................56 Marine Scene ...........................................................................................................................................................................58 Directory Ads ..........................................................................................................................................................................60 FLAG OFFICERS Commodore Aaron Young 021 747 470 Vice Commodore Andrew Aitken 027 579 4194 Rear Commodore Gillian Williams 021 540 896 BREEZE MAGAZINE Editor Ivor Wilkins 09 425 7791 ivorw@xtra.co.nz Assistant Editor Debra Douglas 0211 856 846 chaucer@xtra.co.nz Advertising Debbie Whiting 09 378 1222 inklink@xtra.co.nz

MANAGEMENT TEAM Chief Executive Officer Hayden Porter 09 360 6805 Membership Manager Nikki Harkin 09 360 6804 Youth Coaching Reuben Corbett 09 360 6811 Sailing Director Laurie Jury 09 360 6809 Events Manager Theresa Murphy 09 360 6834 Members’ Bar Reservations 09 360 6800 RNZYS Office Box 46-182, Herne Bay, Auckland 1147 09 360 6800

Thinking of selling your boat?

As a result of a big sales year, we continually require new listings. Our sales team has a great record of success and is standing by to provide professional and attentive service in marketing your vessel.

Ask about the RNZYS member discount.

Wayne (09) 376 6331 • 0274 502 654 • www.lauriecollins.co.nz

6 Breeze Magazine

GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE SUPPORT OF MAJOR PARTNERS

SUPPORTERS

MASTERCARD YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAMME SPONSORS

RNZYS PERFORMANCE PROGRAMME SPONSORS

CORPORATE MEMBERS

Accor Hotels

Clean Corp

Hikvision

Spark New Zealand

Antipodes

Compass Communications

Hick Bros Construction

Southern Spars

Argosy Property Limited

Datacom

Integrated Marine Group

Suncorp New Zealand

Argus Fire Protection

Ecostore

JC McCall Plumbing

Teak Construction

Asahi Beverages

Edu Experts

Kennedy Point Marina

Thos Holdsworth & Sons

B&G

36 Degrees Brokers

Martelli McKegg

VMG Clothing

Barfoot & Thompson

Ecology New Zealand

Milford Asset Management Westpac

BEP Marine Ltd

Emirates

Negociants

Catalano Shipping Services

ENL / Furuno

Panasonic

CBRE

Ezi Car Rentals

Propspeed

Check Point

GOfuel

Rayglass Boats

Yamaha

Breeze Magazine 7

FROM THE COMMODORE Into my final few months as Commodore and it seems activity is finally back to how we knew it just over two years ago. We have certainly seen a busy May, which was most welcome after a tough April month, being the last of the previous financial year.

Sailing-related activity has continued on and off the water with a large and competitive fleet in the Doyle Sails Winter Series. The club held its annual Summer Prizegiving and a great evening was had by all who attended – many commented to me that is was great to attend a more formal party at the club again!

We also hosted the Monty Singleton Volunteers’ Dinner, which recognises our race volunteers who do so much for the club.

Congratulations to Janet Airey for her Monty Singleton Award and also to Kate Croft, Delwyn Erceg and Blair Park for being respective award winners at the annual prizegiving.

We have also seen our RNZYS Club Championship conclude with Harry Dodson and his team headed to Los Angeles for the Seawhanaka Cup (Corinthian Match racing event held at LBYC). They recently returned with a superb and very well-deserved second place, representing the RNZYS very proudly indeed.

We are now also seeing many of our Mastercard Youth and Performance Programme

A

teams compete again internationally, which is encouraging. Our club benefits from this experience, both reputationally and also in the fact that so many of these next generation sailors crew on many members’ boats in our club racing.

Bryan Kensington has recently resigned as a Trustee and has been replaced by Past Commodore Andy Anderson.

Bryan was asked by then Trustees Sir Graham Speight and Wilf Beckett to join them as they were concerned over long term finance.

Given Bryan’s background as a chartered accountant, it certainly made sense and added a lot to the group. We thank Bryan very much for his stewardship as trustee for so many years. (See more on Bryan’s contribution on P16 of this issue of Breeze.)

Whilst on personnel, after eight years, our CEO Hayden Porter has made the decision to pursue some personal goals and interests.

In the time Hayden has been with RNZYS we have seen the club transition to what it is today. Membership has grown solidly, our financial position has greatly improved, innumerable sailing events have been delivered, YTP Performance Programme & Learn to Sail Programmes have been developed and enhanced, the club hosted the 36th America’s Cup Defence and all that went with that, our 150-year celebrations have been completed (almost), the impacts of COVID on our people and programmes has been dealt with and member facilities are in far better condition than eight years ago. Hayden has been a stalwart throughout; working with five different Commodores, he has put his heart and soul into the club.

To enable an effective transition, Hayden will continue with us until early September, just after the AGM. While we will be running a formal recruitment process, this is quite a special role –

any expressions of interest or recommendations you may have should be initially directed to the myself, or Vice Commodore Andrew Aitken.

I would like to take this opportunity to personally acknowledge the enormous effort Hayden has put in and thank him for his hard work, commitment, and support.

As members, you will have noticed further changes in the staffing team. We have indeed seen some turnover recently, but also be reminded that this is from people who have been a big part of the club for 5-7 years, so one expects change. With change also comes opportunity. On that note, we have now confirmed Reuben Corbett as Sailing Manager (from Training Manager) to take over from Laurie Jury, who left in June.

After seven years with the club, Laurie has done a huge amount behind the scenes as well as playing a big part in organising the on-water piece for AC36. Despite his moving out of Auckland, we will still see him sailing with the club. On behalf of the members, a big thank you to Laurie.

So as we move forward with the next steps in the club’s progress, we continue towards our vision of being the world’s leading yacht club. Right now, it’s time to settle the ship and continue sailing forward, making sure we are heading in the right direction.

Change is inevitable, but you have to apply direction to change to ensure continuing progress.

Remember our (delayed) 150th Gala evening on July 30 and numerous events over the coming months. There is no better way to finish the week than with the Friday Havana Club Rum Race, or start your weekend with the Doyle Sails Winter Series.

We are a yacht club after all. Stay warm and sail fast.

Aaron Young, Commodore

Higher Ground: Iconic Race Yacht - Constantly upgraded with the latest technology.

- Optimized for two handed racing but still competitive fully crewed.

- Constantly successful performer.

- Ideal for RNI. Be in for this Race, entries open first of May. - Fully upgraded for last RNI in 2020.

Hardly used since.

Wayne 0274 502 654 • wayne@lcw.co.nz • www.lauriecollins.co.nz

8 Breeze Magazine

FROM THE CEO

A busy club is a happy club. May not only saw the start of the new financial year, but also our first full month with restrictions on numbers lifted and people have responded well by using the club to socialise and hold events. We were back to pre-Covid levels, which was a relief after a pretty tough year in late 2021 to early 2022. On top of this, the financial results were back to ‘normal’ levels.

We welcomed the first international visitors and teams back to the club after more than two years without any.

Greatly increased business levels mean we need to scale up our staffing levels again. With a tight labour market in New Zealand at present, this is also challenging for us, so if you know of some young people wanting evening, or weekend work in particular, then please send them our way.

We are also asking for volunteers to help us during some of the peak times on short sharp shifts helping clear, stock and setup areas in food and beverage. So, if you would like to help, please let us know. Thank you to the team onboard, who have been working long hours at times to ensure we can deliver everything to members despite the lower than required staffing levels.

Laurie Jury will be departing us as Sailing Director after seven years at the club and moving to Northland. He has done a tremendous job over this period, improving the department and expanding the on-water offer

A

we have available. Reuben Corbett will take over the role with an internal promotion from his current Training Manager position.

Executive Chef Jean Brito is departing to run a nationwide restaurant group after many years at the club. His replacement is Campbell White who comes to us with a broad range of international and local experience from fine dining through to banqueting and everything in between.

May also saw the start of the annual subscriptions being sent out to members and we have seen a great response from a large number of members in regard to the voluntary donation request for specific projects. This really does help and means we can undertake a lot more improvements to the club and the various programmes we run.

We have a fully packed winter event plan for members this year and we are trying a few new things, along with some regular favourites.

The Speaker Series will cover everything from racing, rules, and tactics through to investing in the share market and the future of the Auckland waterfront.

Quiz nights returned in June and will be held every two weeks going forward. Rugby nights also return with the All-Black test series due to get underway in July. The Comedy Club nights have proven to be extremely popular and something we will continue with again next winter. So, get involved, bring a friend, join a friend or your crew and enjoy the fun.

Most recently our events were capped off with a full-house lunch hosted with ETNZ, where an update on all things around AC37 was presented by the team. Spirits were high and it was great to have everyone there again.

Out next BIG club event is the 150th Gala on the 30th of July – we are expecting more than 600 people to attend this momentous occasion … finally! There are still tickets

available, so get a group together and enjoy a variety of live music, a range of food and drink options and a chance to explore the entire venue on the night, where different things will be happening throughout the club.

Winter also sees us focus again on Kawau Island and continuing to improve that club asset. A further 2500 native plant will go in the ground from late June and into July. We do need volunteers for this to help maintain the area, in particular weed control and a general tidy up. So, bring some gloves and gumboots and give us a hand. Lidgard House will get a much-needed new roof and general tidy up that follows on from the new deck installation last year.

Lastly, many of you will now know that, after more than eight years at the RNZYS, I have decided to hand on the torch to someone new from September in order to pursue some personal interests and goals. After writing around 50 of these articles over that time this will be my second to last one!

I am immensely proud of what we have achieved over that period, so thank you to the members, Commodores (five of them), Trustees and the various General Committee members I have served with at this great club.

I have been very privileged to be involved and have enjoyed every moment.

Hayden Porter CEO

As-new Prowler 10.8m powercat This 2021 Prowler 10.8 m has only 20 hrs on the twin 150 hp Yamaha outboards with hand control docking.

Great value at $765 000. Let us show you on board today.

A new 11.5m model is due out in less than 12 months, so you could enjoy this one while waiting for your custom 11.5m.

A marina berth is also available.

Wayne 0274 502 654 • wayne@lcw.co.nz • www.lauriecollins.co.nz

Model shown: e-tron Sportback

10 Breeze Magazine

PIC Insurance Brokers Cruising and Motor Yacht Series ‘Best Kept Secret of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron’

Urgent need to protect the Waiheke Island region for future generations

By Alex Stone We spent time pottering about in the Marlborough Sounds over part of the summer, encountering gloriously eccentric characters.

And we also experienced how – relatively – the moana is wonderfully alive there. Often at night, a river of bioluminescence flowed past the boat. Otherwise, rafts of red krill (the locals call it whalebait), dolphins, seals and boil-ups and seabirds were working every day. Two groups of orca came by in a single day.

This in contrast to the terrible state of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.

Up around Waiheke Island, we could paraphrase the Eagle’s famous lyric to be ‘The ocean is a desert with no life underground…’

Time is running out to fix the decline of biodiversity in the Hauraki Gulf.

For 10 years, a group of Waiheke islanders has been working towards the establishment of the Hākaimangō-Matiatia Marine Reserve.

The proposed NW Waiheke Marine Reserve, between Hākaimangō and Matiaitia has the support of the Department of Conservation at the highest level. It also has the full and unreserved support of the Ngati Paoa Trust Board, significant kaumatua and kuia of Ngāti Paoa, and the committee of Piritahi Marae. And most of the Local Boards in Auckland Council, that adjoin the Hauraki Gulf – including the Waiheke Local Board.

*IN STOCK NOW *

New 2022 Elan Impression 40.1 Elan has designed a full range of new Deck Saloon yachts to satisfy the demanding needs of modern yachtsmen. These stunning yachts have been designed with every cruising comfort in mind. The on-deck systems allow for easy sailing especially for “short-handed” cruising while giving the space and comfort that you might only expect from a much larger yacht both above and below decks.

• Battery monitor system • Sprayhood • Bimini top • Bow thruster • 3 blade folding propeller Flex-o-fold • Harken halyard electric winch B40.2 • Fusion Audio Package • Additional water tank • Raymarine Upgrade • Electrical windlass 1000W + battery (95Ah) • Engine upgrade to Volvo D2-50 • Teak on cockpit coamings • Scanstrut pods • Twin Steering • 3 x Cabins Single head • Length Overall = 11.90m • Beam max = 3.91m • Draft = 1.80m • Displacement = 8000kg Rob Humphreys Design

W W W. P I N N A C L E M A R I N E . C O . N Z

$549,000

ELAN YACHTS NEW ZEALAND Unit 33-332 Great North Rd Grey Lynn Auckland 1021 NZ PHONE:+ 64 (09) 377 6602 | Email: info@pinnaclemarine.co.nz PIN027

Call us for full specifications and options

www.pinnaclemarine.co.nz

12 Breeze Magazine

The proposal went out for public consultation and received 1,303 submissions with an extraordinary 93% level of support. Among those who submitted ‘partially support’ or ‘partially object’ responses, a high proportion felt the proposal was good but did not go far enough.

It is now in the hands of the Minister of Conservation to decide the fate of the proposal and whether to push forward with legislation.

The Hākaimangō-Matiatia Marine Reserve will be the biggest yet in the Hauraki Gulf, and will contribute to the consensus goal of 30% of the Gulf area to be fully protected. It is, after all, our ‘national park of the sea.’ It will also encompass 7.5km of coastline, ideal habitat for roosting and nesting seabirds, including kororā, which have been in the news lately.

The location, size and design of the reserve follows best-practise marine science, and is based on specially-commissioned scientific reports, dating back to 2013. We are grateful for the support of the previous Waiheke Local Board, chaired by Paul Walden, for a large part of this.

The marine reserve complements the Ngāti Paoa rāhui that has been placed on four species around Waiheke for the next two years.

The difference is the reserve will be in perpetuity, and protect an entire habitat, which covers different ecosystems and hundreds of biota within it.

The proposed reserve offers an unprecedented opportunity for the scientific study of the ecological, economic and cultural benefits of different management tools including the marine reserve, a possible ‘High Protection Area’ (around the Noises), the rāhui area, kelp gardening, and existing fishing regulations all actually adjoining each other.

Please beware of false information on this front. The comment that anchoring of recreational boats will in future be banned in the bays of

the marine reserve is scaremongering, with no basis in fact. This has never happened in the 44 marine reserves that exist in New Zealand, the first dating back 50 years. The Taputeranga Marine Reserve at Houghton Bay at Wellington even has permanent moorings for commercial fishing boats within it. They just must exit the reserve to go fishing.

What the Hauraki Gulf also needs is a corps of young, fit, mobile, passionate Moana Rangers.

Thing is, we already have the career path set up for exactly this, right here at the Waiheke High School.

It’s the SeaSports Academy, which in the 20 years it’s been going, has proven a popular drawcard, especially for overseas students. Now in the new post-Covid era, and given the Hauraki Gulf ’s environmental crisis, it’s time for our own young people to have the opportunity.

It would be a wonderful thing if the reserve comes to reality. Millions of fish, crustaceans, marine mammals, seabirds and people will be pleased with that result.

• Alex Stone is an award-winning writer and artist based on Waiheke Island, a passionate marine conservationist and the original founder of the Friends of the Hauraki Gulf. He has sailed, researched and written about the Hauraki Gulf for over 30 years. As a racing sailor he has been in the top ten in trapeze dinghy world champs four times, and won national titles in dinghies and keelboats. www.alexstonethinkingstrings.com

Breeze Magazine 13

Hand Crafted Elegance from 34’– 68’

An unmatched combination of performance, safety, superior quality and economy Sasga Yachts NZ | Christine Bird – Sales 021 0220 5398 | christine@sasgayachts.nz www.sasgayachts.nz

14 Breeze Magazine

From the Sailing Office This winter saw the RNZYS finish up a few of the rescheduled regattas from a Covid-stricken 2021-22 season. This included the Harken Youth International Match Racing Championships, which for the first time in two years included some international teams.

There was a full roster of 14 teams for the event, which was raced in ‘top end’ wind conditions over four days. It was one of the Australian teams, Finn Tapper from CYCA, that took out the regatta over the RNZYS represented by Robbie McCutchen.

Harry Thurston, a RNZYS Youth Training Programme graduate now living in and representing Akaroa Yacht Club, took out the Open Keelboat National Championships over the current Women’s Keelboat Champion Sally Garret. This was the third time lucky for Harry and team after a 2nd in 2020 and 4th in 2021.

Another Harry, this time Harry Dodson and his team represented the RNZYS at the Seawanhaka International cup, hosted by Long Beach Yacht Club in Los Angles. Harry won the right to represent the RNZYS by winning the RNZYS Club Championships final in April this year.

RNZYS finished 2nd in the event behind Seawanhaka Yacht Club, who regained the trophy from Long Beach Yacht Club. Next year’s event will be hosted by Seawanahaka Yacht Club in Long Island New York, raced in SM40s. Hopefully RNZYS will be represented once again, this time going one better.

The Doyle Sails Winter Series has kicked off with a great entry list of more than 100 boats.

We have seen some excellent conditions so far and competitive racing out there. The divisions have been restructured with new R and A divisions. So far some stand out performers are

Harken Youth International winners CYCA tussle with RNZYS in the final – Billy Woodworth Photo.

Kaizen, the smallest boat in R division, and Wish You Were Here cleaning up in the non-spinnaker division.

Our Race Manager Megan Thomson is currently overseas. She has been given the opportunity to do some work with the Jedda Yacht Club in Saudi Arabia, helping to set up their sailing programme along with some other RNZYS Performance Programme members.

Megan is also planning on competing in some match racing events with her 2.0 racing team in Europe, before heading back to NZ at the start of July.

The RNZYS is set to host the Women’s World Match Racing Championships in November 2022. This is a fantastic opportunity for some of our NZ women match racers

as well as the RNZYS race management and volunteers.

After seven years as the Sailing Director at the RNZYS, I have decided it is time for me to move on. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the RNZYS, working with some fantastic people and achieving some great things.

Initially I am heading overseas to do some international coaching before making the move with my family up to Kerikeri, where I will be running a boat yard, Blair Boats in Oromahoe.

Reuben Corbett the current Training Manager at the RNZYS will be taking over my role.

Laurie Jury

Breeze Magazine 15

R OU LE F U B D D AILA E T I AV LIM CK O ST

STOCK BOATS READY TO SAIL IN 2022 530

390 AVAILABLE DECEMBER 2022

AVAILABLE DECEMBER 2022

AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 2022

$586,613 NZD

$830,043 NZD

$1,109,979 NZD

Dominic Lowe: +64 (0) 21 426 600 Head Office: +61 (0) 7 5452 5164

yachtsalesco.com

The dental family for your family

keithnelson.co.nz • 103 Franklin Road, Freeman’s Bay • 09 378 0877

16 Breeze Magazine

Blair is Umpire/Judge of the year

Blair Park – always ready to help where needed.

Story & picture by Debra Douglas When Commodore Aaron Young made the call that he wanted the RNZYS to be the world’s leading international yacht club, member Blair Park decided to put his hand up to help make it happen.

Blair, a member of the Umpires, Protest and Judges Panel and the Squadron’s Umpire/Judge of the Year, came to Auckland from Gore in 2008. He had never sailed before, sailing not being high on the town’s things-to-do list. But once in the City of Sails, he was hooked.

“Coming here and seeing all those boats at

Westhaven, I said to myself, that’s what I want to do. Sailing is so much an Auckland lifestyle and I enjoy it. The Squadron’s Sailing Director, Laurie Jury, took me out on my first sail. I loved it and have been sailing ever since.”

Three years ago, however, Blair recognised the Squadron needed support with its vison to provide members with world class experiences and he joined the Sailing Office’s Volunteer Race Management team.

“I dipped my toe in the deep end and the experts on the team mentored me,” said Blair.

“I am very grateful to them. Now I umpire whenever the Squadron needs me, usually at big fleet and match racing events.”

Laurie Jury is impressed by Blair’s progress and “fantastic positive attitude”, describing him as always being available to help where needed.

Blair: “You do need a background in sailing to umpire. You spend a lot of your time anticipating what you think might happen.

“You make a lot of decisions and some weigh on your mind. You can come away thinking, did I make the right decision? But you can talk the others on the boat and afterwards socially with the group.

“The downside of umpiring is that often when you come off the water, your work isn’t done. That’s why you try to handle the protests out on the water, but sometimes there are some very late nights.”

Fridays will see Blair competing in the Havana Cup Rum Race and on Sundays, as Commodore of the Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club, it will be the turn of Lasers and dinghies.

He is also sailing in the Doyle Sails Winter Series on Peter Cunningham’s Ticketty Boo. “My life revolves around being out on the water. I’m part of a pool of like-minded people.

They are good company. I like talking and socialising with them.

“But in answer to your question as to whether I will go on to own a boat ... when I suggested it to my partner, she said ‘over my dead body’, so I guess the answer is no.”

• For information re being a part of the volunteer race management team, contact Reuben Corbett at rcorbett@rnzys.org.nz, or Race Manager Megan Thomson, mthomson@rnzys.org.nz.

Breeze Magazine 17

Full-on foodie thriving in a happy industry Story & picture by Debra Douglas From behind the scenes, to front of house the Squadron’s new Food & Beverage Operations Manager, Cameron Lawless, admits he is a full-on foodie who loves working in hospitality.

“It is a happy industry – all about people,” said Cameron. “Over the last 30 years in the industry, I have had a lot of fun. I wouldn’t be doing it unless it was fun. But it is a profession that must be in your blood.

“I always wanted to be in the hotel industry.

I had an uncle who had been a barman and then a hotelier in Singapore for many years. He was a great whisky and gin drinker who made great cocktails at our family gatherings. As a little boy, I was amazed how he could rustle up those cocktails.

“My parents entertained a lot at home and I was aways brought out to say hello to the guests, which was good for my confidence. It was the time of fondue sets, Steak Diane and the real treat of going out to Cobb & Co for a seafood basket. I was fascinated by it all.”

Leaving school Cameron was very clear where he wanted to go. He completed a hotel

management course at AUT and entered the culinary world at De Bretts Hotel. This led him to the position of Senior Sous Chef at the Dorchester, London and then time at the Grand Hyatt Melbourne as Executive Sous Chef.

Back in Auckland, Cameron owned a couple of catering companies before deciding to move into management with the opportunity to work with the Radisson Group. This included stints as Food & Beverage Director at hotels in Brunei, Shanghai and Batam, Indonesia; a General Manager position at NZ Unlimited Restaurants, based in Johor, responsible for the development and delivery of NZ-themed restaurant brands in Malaysia, and then a Food & Beverage Manager role at the Sofitel on the Gold Coast.

“But I am definitely an Auckland boy, so my wife, Magdalene, and I came home, where I took up the role of Senior Consultant with Stonyridge Vineyards Ltd. “I also wanted to continue my passion for sailing. I used to zip round in a Hobie Cat and hope to get back on the water again soon. And I like to tinker with cars. I have a 1973 Porche

911 and Alfa Romero GTV, old cars that need to be driven.”

Prior to joining the Squadron, Cameron was employed at the Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club, helping to establish their new club house. This, he says, gave him a good understanding of the workings and legacy of a prestigious club.

“The Squadron is classic, though; it is a privilege to be here. Its history is so huge, I am in awe sometimes when I stop and look at the trophies and the pictures on the walls. And I tell the young ones here that we are visited by very special people, for example, the Cobbies (senior members) who have experienced a whole lot of life.

“The Squadron has a couple of very exciting years coming up. Hospitality, however, is going through a period of adjustment and the rules have changed. At the moment, until we can get to the staffing levels we had prior to Covid, it’s all hands-on working hard to do the simple things well, while still creating a great space and experience for members. And, of course, there are always opportunities to improve and enhance members’ experiences.” www.bigideas.co.nz

18 Breeze Magazine

Bryan Kensington steps down after long service as RNZYS Trustee Back in 1989, when RNZYS Commodore Don Brooke secured an agreement to purchase the much-prized Kawau Island property, he telephoned Trustee Graeme Bennett to pass on the good news.

As a Trustee, Bennett’s first question, quite rightly, was, “Where is the money coming from?”

“Don’t worry,” replied Commodore Brooke, “Bryan Kensington will find the money.”

“And, of course, Bryan did.” Bennett chuckles at the memory.

Ten years later, Bryan Kensington became a Trustee himself and, rather than helping spend money, devoted much of his time urging the Flag Officers to curb spending.

After more than 20 years of service in the role, Kensington has announced his retirement, making way for Past Commodore Andy Anderson to take his place in the triumvirate of Trustees.

Bennett, now in his nineties and still serving as a Trustee, remembers that it was the need for more financial rigour that brought Kensington into the position. “I was a Trustee with Sir Graham Speight and Wilf Beckett, who were always perturbed about the need to preserve the Long Term Development Fund and the need to watch spending.

“They both wanted to retire and Bryan Kensington was approached, as was Peter Hay, who came on at the same time.

“Bryan, being a prominent accountant, was the right man for the job.

He attended all the Finance Committee meetings and would give me and Peter Hay a detailed written report after each one. He played a very valuable role.”

Past Commodore Steve Burrett remembers Kensington’s close attention during those Finance Committee meetings, taking detailed notes with his customary sharp pencil.

In his business life, Kensington was a highly respected partner at Ernst & Young. “He had a very good reputation with the banks,” says Bennett.

“His standing in the city was very strong.”

He was also an avid boating man. His son, John Kensington, a former General Committee member and well known in the club’s racing circles, said his father’s first boat was an E-class classic called Niobe. “Later on, he did a lot of racing with John Goodacre and Shale Sloman on a Spencer 37 called Sirocco. He joined the Squadron in the mid-1960s and served on the General Committee under Pop McDell.

“After Niobe, he bought an H28, called Nicole, and after that a Farr 1104 called Nga Hau e Wha.” “The Farr yacht was a great ship,” recalls Bryan Kensington. “We raced her for many years and had many great family holidays up and down the coast.”

Speaking of the role of Trustee, he said: “Our job was to make sure the Squadron was behaving itself and sticking to the right course, that nothing was done that was not in the club’s best interest.”

Recognising Kensington’s distinguished service, Commodore Aaron Young said, “We thank Bryan very much for his stewardship as Trustee for so many years.”

Breeze Magazine 19

Spreading the Squadron story through informative guided tours

Trevor Dunn and new member Deanna Cao, a Sparkling Minds early educator who plans to return with her primary school class.

Story & pictures by Debra Douglas How is the America’s Cup protected? How much is it worth? How much does it weigh?

These are the most frequently asked questions by visitors to the Squadron and there to answer them are members and volunteer club house tour guides, Laura Kroll and Trevor Dunn.

Laura and Trevor, determined to acknowledge the Squadron’s achievements on the water, have developed an interactive tour for members and guests, aimed at explaining how the Club grew from early competitive local racing to international status through victories in significant events such as the One Ton Cup, Kenwood Cup, round the world races and of course the America’s Cup. The tours, which take in the club’s function rooms, half models, paintings and trophy display cases, usually end with a photo session in front of the America’s Cup and its silverware neighbours, representing victories in the Louis Vuitton and Prada Challenger Regattas.

Laura Kroll with some of the Squadron trophies won sailing against the very best.

They are not just aimed at members, but other interest groups.

Laura recently visited the Trophy Room at the New York Yacht Club in her old hometown.

“Whilst the trophies there blow your mind away by their numbers, size and workmanship, they also emphasise the efforts of the New Zealand sailors, who wrestled the ‘Auld Mug’ from the world’s leading yacht clubs not once, but four times,” said Laura.

“We want to get the message across to new and existing members, plus other interested parties, of how, through energy, grit and determination, the Squadron has become a leading contender at the world’s most prestigious regattas.

“We intend to run club house tours on the first Sunday in the month up until the Cup departs to a ‘temporary’ home in Barcelona,“ said Trevor. “For more information about tour times check Mainsheet and the Squadron’s Facebook page.”

OFFICE FITOUT ● FREE MEASURE & QUOTE ● LOCALLY MADE

www.systemscommercial.com

558 ROSEBANK ROAD AVONDALE, AUCKLAND PH 093691880 sales@systemscommercial.com

20 Breeze Magazine

UPCOMING EVENTS O N & O F F WAT E R

CO M E DY N I G H T

RUGBY NIGHTS

29 June and 21 July

2, 9, 16 July

K AWAU T R E E PLANTING WEEKENDS

27 August

1 - 3 July

150TH RNZYS BOOK L AU N CH - IVO R WILKINS

3, 24 September

16 - 17 July

6 July

D OY L E SA I L S W I N T E R SERIES

QUIZ NIGHT RETURNS!

150TH GALA

9, 23 July

11, 18 August

RULES, SPEED, TA C T I C S S P E A K E R SERIES

14, 28 July

30 July

13 July

6, 20 August

17 August

SPEAKER SERIES B O AT M A I N T E N A N C E 3 August

M ATA K A N A W I N E & FOOD EVENING 4 August

T R AV E L C L U B L A U N C H WITH WILD EARTH T R AV E L

HARKEN AUCKL AND M AT C H R A C E CHAMPIONSHIPS

10 August

13 - 14 August

MORE INFO ON OUR WEBSITE W W W. R N Z YS . O R G . N Z

Breeze Magazine 21

RNZYS Members Discounts Boat Insurance 10% off of boat insurance (excluding commercial hull and blue water covers)

House, Car & Contents Insurance 15% off of insurance premium if all three products are taken

Vessel Import or Export 10% refund of cargo insurance premium should vessel arrive damaged

nal o s r Pe Life ess n i s Bu rine Ma www.pic.co.nz | 0508 742 742

lth a e &H

Major insurance partner of the

22 Breeze Magazine

Rumpus in paradise

By Annabel Anderson If you’ve made it as far east as the archipelagos of French Polynesia and you find yourself on a boat, you’ve either had a significant journey to get there, or know someone with a boat who did.

Taking place in the azure waters surrounding French Polynesia’s Society Islands of Raiatea and Taha’a over four days each May, the Tahiti Pearl Regatta is famed for its warm welcome, exceptional sailing conditions and convivial atmosphere.

Welcoming craft ranging from large to small in both competitive and cruising divisions, the ‘TPR’ as it is fondly referred to is a sailing regatta like no other.

A sheltered lagoon anchorage beside a postcard-perfect motu (small island) provides a floating home for the fleet for the duration of the regatta week, complete with early morning deliveries of fresh baguettes to your transom, as well as a full diary of social events to enjoy at the conclusion of all but one day of racing.

Squadron members and TPR regulars Rupert and Kristin Wilson own Rumpus, a Beneteau First 44.7, which was forced to spend the pandemic sitting on the hard in Raiatea. But in early May, Rupert and Kristin were on one of the first flights out of Auckland to reunite with Rumpus to resume cruising the Society Islands and, of course, compete in the regatta.

Held over four days, starting with a practice race and opening cocktail party on Day One, the ensuing days comprise two races a day.

The racing division completed a ‘banane’ windward/leeward-style race and a passage race, while the cruising division, made up mainly of Oyster yachts which were part of the Oyster World Rally, enjoyed the more leisurely schedule of the later-starting daily passage race.

Favourable breezes and sunny skies throughout the week were the rigueur du jour as the race courses showcased why the Society Islands are a mecca for sailing and cruising.

In true Kiwi style befitting the need to adapt and adjust on the fly, cobbling together a crew for Rumpus was far from as simple as writing names on a crew list.

With an ad hoc international crew of sorts assembled, communication was a United Nations affair with three Kiwis, two French and two Californians. The resulting linguistic mix was just enough to be simultaneously understood, lost in translation and open to misinterpretation, which gave rise to an agreement to use standard terminology for some basic commands deemed the best way to get through the regatta.

As a significant southerly swell built throughout the week, the TPR fleets were challenged with some ‘interesting moments’ as they navigated the reef passes in a building breeze. More than one boat may have been

Breeze Magazine 23

The silhouette of Bora Bora makes a spectacular backdrop to the Tahiti Pearl Regatta fleet. seen attempting to hotline a corner that should not be cut and very nearly going ‘over the falls’, while the local sailmakers were reported to be very busy following the regatta.

The award for the most stunning course of the week may have to go to the passage race around Taha’a, often referred to as the ‘vanilla island’.

With the silhouette of Bora Bora in the background, beautiful churches along the shores and resort bungalows perched over the lagoon shallows,

the course offered a bit of everything and provided a fitting conclusion to the regatta.

• For further information and how to take part in the 2023 edition, visit https://www.tahitipearlregatta.com/ The 2023 Tahiti Pearl Regatta takes place from May 17-20.

Images by: Bertrand Duquenne Tahiti Pearl Regatta

24 Breeze Magazine

Bowled over by hearty Chowder Be prepared to be bowled over. The Squadron’s Executive Chef Jean Brito’s hearty New England Clam Chowder with smoked salmon, prawns and warm house-made focaccia is the perfect soul warmer this winter.

Picture by Debra Douglas

Breeze Magazine 25

PLAIN SAILING

We’re on the water too. See you out there!

LOCAL EXPERTS MAKING INSURANCE EASY.

0800 466 467 mariner.co.nz

26 Breeze Magazine Jo Aleh and Molly Meech putting their new 49erFX partnership to an early test in the Oceanbridge regatta in Auckland – Georgia Schofield Photo.

Jo Aleh back on the Olympic Trail

By Ivor Wilkins After five years away from competitive sailing, New Zealand 470 Olympic medallist Jo Aleh is back on the Olympic campaign trail, her passion for the sport fully reignited and revelling in the challenge of learning a new class.

Her return to this re-energised love of sailing has involved a long and difficult climb from exhaustion, illness and disillusion.

Following a creditable 12th place finish in her international 49er FX debut at Hyeres in early May, she knows full well there is still a long road ahead, but she is up for the challenge.

“At the moment, I am enjoying the sailing so much that I just want to sail all the time,” she says. “Now it is a matter of trying to restrict the amount of sailing I do, otherwise I would be out there all day. You realise how lucky you are. Every day on the water is a pretty decent day.”

SOLD

22 Marine Parade, Herne Bay

For eight years, Aleh and her then-sailing partner Polly Powrie dominated women’s 470 sailing. Dubbed Team Jolly, the pair won Olympic gold and silver medals at the 2012 and 2016 Games, two world titles, and in 2013 were recognised as Female World Sailors of the Year.

However, after the 2016 Games, Aleh crashed and burned. Years of starving herself to keep her weight down had severely impacted her health and sapped her energy. Describing how she was often curled up on her bed suffering severe stomach pain, the 35-year-old said, “It was pretty much malnutrition.”

Aleh stepped away from Olympic class sailing and even took a job in the corporate world, but soon learned that nine-to-five office life was not for her. While restoring her health was her primary focus during this period, Aleh did explore opportunities in offshore racing. However, despite her stellar pedigree, she found her path full of obstacles.

ASHLEY TAIT

AREINZ

YOUR LOCAL TRUSTED ACHIEVER

021 325 009 ı a.tait@barfoot.co.nz ı barfoot.co.nz/a.tait As a result of successful recent campaigns, I have met many qualified buyers looking to buy property in our area.

I am currently offering obligation-free market appraisals which provide instant information to assess your property value, or to simply keep you abreast of the current market.

Call me today to arrange your free no-obligation appraisal.

Breeze Magazine 27 Aleh was a precocious talent promotes in her position on World from an early age. Like most Sailing’s Athlete Commission.

Kiwi sailing kids, she progressed She is particularly concerned from Optimists into the P-Class. that the focus on weight begins at In 2002, as a 15-year-old, she won the junior classes. In the Optimist the prestigious Tanner Cup, the class, for example, the target first girl to do so since the event’s weights are set very low at about establishment in 1945.

35kg. “When I was a young girl of At 22-years-old, she was 11 or 12, I would have been too ranked #1 in the world in the tall. I probably would not have women’s Laser Radial class, made it through the junior classes followed by her distinguished at all today. This is not just about partnership with Polly Powrie girls. It affects guys as well. in the 470. Having scaled the “Now, when it comes to my pinnacles of 470 racing, however, own weight, I am less strict. By the Jo Aleh demonstrated her precocious talent in the P-Class. she came to the painful realisation time you factor in the boat, the that Olympic medals and world rig and the crew, 2kgs does not titles counted for little for a young woman seeking to expand her matter that much. It is far more important to get off the startline clean horizons. and get away.”

There is a well-known photograph of Aleh as an 11-year-old sitting Starting her sailing comeback, she raced the 2021 470 nationals in on the bow of NZL-60 during the lead-up to the 2000 America’s Cup Auckland with Andre Van Dam, finishing 2nd overall by a single point. defence in Auckland.

Later in the year, she won the New Zealand stand-up paddleboard The Kiwi Cup crew had broken off a training session because of light championships in a close-fought battle with world junior SUP champion winds and nosed in amongst an Optimist fleet, enabling the kids to swarm Brianna Orams. It was Aleh’s first national title outside sailing. aboard and meet their idols. Aleh later said the experience sparked an Then at Lake Garda, she finished 2nd woman behind Great Britain’s ambition to take her career to that level.

Josie Gliddon in the Moth world championships after only a few weeks But that ambition proved a step too far. In a powerful address to a in the class. Clearly, time in the wilderness had done nothing to diminish World Sailing Forum in 2017, Aleh described months of travelling the her competitive instincts, or her talent. world at her own expense and working 12-hour days for no pay in the With no desire for another 470 class campaign, she turned to the hopes of breaking into Sydney-Hobart, or Volvo Ocean Race campaigns.

49er FX, first sailing with young male crew to get to grips with the basics, While male sailors with similar or lesser pedigrees were swept up, she before seeking an Olympic partner. found rejection after rejection. Her slight physique and gender seemed The obvious choice was Molly Meech, who won silver with Alex to count against her, while her sailing intelligence was disregarded. It was Maloney at the Rio Games. After a disappointing 12th at the Tokyo a demoralising period.

Olympics, Meech and Maloney decided to part company.

Slowly, however, she was drawn back to the sport and secured a “I have known Molly for a long time,” says Aleh. “She knows the boat Yachting New Zealand role as coach for Micah Wilkinson and Erica better than anyone. She was definitely top of my list.”

Dawson for their Olympic debut in the Nacra 17 class at the Tokyo After winning the New Zealand nationals together, Aleh and Meech Games. travelled to Europe as New Zealand’s strict Covid lockdowns began to Hours in a coach boat steadily rekindled Aleh’s desire to participate. ease. “We only decided to do the Hyeres regatta two days before,” she Coaching also brought new perspectives on sailing and health, issues she says. “The wind was pretty fresh and most of our sailing over the Kiwi

Grey Lynn Goldmine – 55 Crummer Road, Grey Lynn

Just Listed – 10 Morrin St, Ellerslie

ASHLEY TAIT

AREINZ

YOUR LOCAL TRUSTED ACHIEVER

021 325 009 ı a.tait@barfoot.co.nz ı barfoot.co.nz/a.tait Over $215 million in sales and counting…

‘Ashley was always available, had an unwavering pleasant but professional manner and remained calm with every detail throughout the process. I would recommend Ashley to anyone wanting to market their property in this area.’ — Brad, Herne Bay

For sale by negotiation

Auction: Wednesday, June 22

28 Breeze Magazine

Jo Aleh and Molly Meech scored well in their first international regatta at Hyeres in May. – Sailing Energy Photo. summer was in quite soft conditions, which makes boat handling easier.

We enjoy the breeze, but staying upright is still a bit of a mission.”

Lining up in an international fleet for the first time in a new class in close to 20 knots of breeze was a daunting prospect. “Even before the start, it was all about survival and staying upright.”

But, at the gun Aleh and Meech flew out of the blocks like a pair of rockstars. “We actually led the fleet up to the top mark. That was quite entertaining,” Aleh chuckles. “Then we absolutely fell apart downwind, but that was kind of expected.”

In the end, though, they kept it together in a mix of conditions with four top-five and nine top-10 finishes in a 38-boat fleet. “Overall, the good points were that we were competitive,” Aleh acknowledges.

“We had some good races, but we did plenty of falling over and things that definitely don’t need to be repeated over the next couple of years.”

Alex Maloney and her new partner, Liv Hobbs, were also sailing at Hyeres, finishing 9th and setting up prospects of a keen battle for the single Olympic slot in 2024. This brings to mind the tough situation in the Finn class for Tokyo, where best friends Andy Maloney and Josh Junior fought for selection and demonstrated terrific sporting grace at the outcome.

“The Finns set the gold standard in New Zealand of how two boats can work together,” Aleh agrees. “Ultimately we want to work together as well, even though we know that at the end of the day only one team gets to go. If that team is the best in the world, that’s job done.

With that goal firmly in place, the two boats headed from Hyeres to the Olympic venue in Marseilles for a training block with their coach,

Spaniard Javier Torres del Moral, who guided the Brazilian 49er FX combination to gold at Tokyo.

Alongside their Olympic campaigns, the four women are also teammates in a new initiative launched by Peter Burling and Blair Tuke’s Live Ocean Foundation. This is the Live Ocean Racing team, which will see an all-women crew competing on the EFT26 foiling catamaran circuit.

The initiative is seen as a pathway into SailGP and the Women’s America’s Cup regatta in Barcelona, although it will take some juggling to fit in with the Olympics in the same year.

Racing in open competition against male and female crews, the New Zealand EFT26 crew finished fifth on their first outing at Spi-Ouest over Easter. The squad comprised Nacra sailors Liv Mackay and Erica Dawson with 49er FX campaigners Aleh, Meech, Maloney and Hobbs.

Suddenly, from her self-imposed time in the wilderness, Aleh’s sailing dance-card is fast filling up. She is fit, fully engaged and relishing the mix of racing. “It keeps it fresh and it keeps you learning.” And, it revives some hope that her America’s Cup dream which began 24 years ago might yet come a step closer.

Aleh was part of the same Kiwi Olympic cohort with Burling and Tuke and there could hardly be a starker contrast than their meteoric postOlympic rise and her abrupt dead-end.

“It is cool to see Pete and Blair acknowledge that those opportunities have not been there for women coming through,” she says of the new initiative they have created. “These are good stepping stones. Time will tell if they do provide a transition into actual pathways to go further, but it is a good beginning.”

Breeze Magazine 29

RNZYS to host World Sailing Women’s Match Racing World Championships The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is set to bring world-class sailing back to Auckland by hosting the 2022 Women’s Match Racing World Championships on November 9 – 12.

The championship is the final event of the inaugural Women’s World Match Racing Tour. It will see 14 skippers invited to take part, including last year’s champion and World Number One, Pauline Courtois and her Match in Pink by Normandy Elite Team.

This also means that the 2022 New Zealand Women’s Match Racing Championship will act as a qualifier for a wildcard berth into the world championship.

“We can’t wait for the Women’s Match Racing World Championship to be held in Auckland, and to have the first ever Women’s World Match Racing Tour being decided on the Hauraki Gulf. It’s a great opportunity for New Zealand’s women match racing teams to test themselves against, and learn from, the best in the world”, says RNZYS Sailing Director Laurie Jury.

“It’s also fantastic to be able to invite

HEADING NORTH ...

world-class sailing events like this back to New Zealand waters, and we hope to see the Women’s World Match Racing Tour go from strength to strength in its debut season.”

Racing the Squadron’s fleet of Eliott 7s, the Women’s Match Racing World Championships will see the 14 teams compete in a single round robin, with the top eight qualifying to the best-

of-three quarterfinals, semi-finals and final to decide both the 2022 Women’s Match Racing World Champion, and the overall winner of the inaugural Women’s World Match Racing Tour.

“We are delighted to support the launch of the Women’s World Match Racing Tour” commented WIMRA Executive Director Liz Baylis. “The Tour is a fantastic opportunity for women sailors and will continue build on the success of the WIM Series. We look forward to working closely with the team at WMRT to help expand the Tour for the future.”

Commenting on the announcement, WMRT Executive Director James Pleasance added: “We are excited to launch the Women’s World Match Racing Tour after many months of planning. Historically, opportunities have been limited for women in professional sailing and match racing – this new tour will provide a valuable platform and pathway for women to compete in their own championship series.”

By Billy Woodworth

The Coastal Classic blast north to the Bay of Islands is fast approaching. Talk to your friendly North Sails expert today ...

Learn more at northsails.com Call 09 359 5999 E-mail nz.northsails.com

30 Breeze Magazine

International racing returns with a bang Words and pictures by Billy Woodworth After a two-year absence due to the Covid pandemic, international yachting returned to the Waitemata Harbour with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron hosting the 2022 Harken Youth International Match Racing Cup. In occasionally wild and marginal conditions, the regatta posed a serious test of seamanship and boathandling as 14 crews battled wind and tide on a stormy Waitemata Harbour. At times racing had to be called off as torrential rain and 40-knot winds swept the harbour.

Five Australian teams went up against nine local crews in four days of competition, with an on-form Finn Tapper and his Cruising Yacht Club of Australia crew of Will Sargent, Cole Tapper, Ryan Ewings and Jess Tavener prevailing over an RNZYS crew skippered by Robbie McCutcheon.

The Australians’ victory followed a win the previous weekend in

the Hardy Cup on Sydney Harbour, where the light conditions were a complete contrast to what they found in Auckland.

“Finals day was tough racing and the tide had a huge effect on the racecourse as it always does in Auckland,” said Tapper. “Having the quarters, semis and finals all in one was a big day on the water, but to come away with the win is exciting.”

Tapper and McCutcheon both emerged from the Round Robin with 12-1 scores and then advanced through the quarter- and semi-finals to face off for the title, which the CYCA team won 2-0.

“It was a tough week for all the teams,” said McCutcheon, who sailed with Sam Street, Jack Frewin, Chester Duffett and Sofia Higgott.

“We had a really nice performance in the Round Robin and in the finals. Conditions were very breezy and it was quite a one-way track with the tide. All in all, a tough day and we couldn’t quite get the job done.”

Sailing... Selling...

Matt Thompson

SOLD

020 414 38419 mthompson@barfoot.co.nz

Breeze Magazine 31 The five Australian teams comprised two each from CYCA and Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and one from Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. The Kiwi contingent was made up of six from RNZYS, a Westlake Boys High School crew under the burgee of Murray’s Bay Sailing Club, one from Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club and one from Nelson Yacht Club.

“We couldn’t have been happier with how this regatta played out,” said RNZYS Training Manager Reuben Corbett. “Getting the best of Australia’s teams back over here and allowing our teams to sail at an incredibly high level is something we’ve been waiting to do for two years.

“It gives our Kiwi crews a great benchmark to measure ourselves against on the water going forward, but being able to reconnect with our friends across the ditch and seeing the great spirit everyone displayed throughout the four days of the regatta shows what a fantastic community sailing builds.”

Final Results: 1, Finn Tapper, CYCA; 2, Robbie McCutcheon, RNZYS; 3, Jed Cruickshank, RSYS; 4, Jack Littlechild, CYCA; 5, Josh Hyde, RNZYS; 6, Max McLachlan, RNZYS; 7, Lucas Day, MBSC; 8, Jono Barnett, RPNYC; 9. Darcy Kemp, RPAYC; 10, Rory Sims, RNZYS; 11, Xavier McLachlan, RSYS; 12, Noah Malpot, NYC; 13, Braedyn Denney, RNZYS; 14, Maeve White, RNZYS. New Zealand Open Keelboat Championships After two close-run attempts at winning a New Zealand Open Keelboat Championship final, former Team New Zealand sailor Harry Thurston and his crew of Sam Barnett, Thomas Bentham, Thomas Olds, Mathew Kempkers and Taylor Balogh were finally able to take the title home this year.

“It was very cool to bring the title home after three attempts”, said Thurston. “After that final race the boys were fizzing and the celebrations were on!”

Thurston’s 3rd attempt at the Open didn’t come easily, with crew issues meaning that he was only able to confirm his team on the Thursday night beforehand.

“Sam and Mathew signed up on Thursday and were a key part, as was everyone on the crew,” said Harry. ”I have sailed with Oldsie, Mousie and Taylor before and everyone worked so well together, I really could not have asked for a better bunch of blokes to sail with.”

With Thurston and 2022 Women’s Keelboat National Champion Sally Garrett tied on 4 points after day one, with two victories and a second place each, and a light forecast set for Sunday’s racing, the championships came down to the ability of the race management team. They were able

to find just enough of a breeze to get the crucial fifth race underway, which meant enough races took place to crown this year’s champion.

“I was monitoring race committees from other clubs on the VHF and talking to Celia Carson, who was running an event at Wakatere, so became aware of a light northerly coming down the coast, which had possibilities for sailing,” said Race Officer Colin Lucas.

“We moved the committee boat from off Kohimarama to the Rough Rock area and were able to set a short, but usable northerly course. As sort of predicted/guessed, the wind came in and we were able to get the only race of the day.

“Unhappily, the wind died as the race progressed meaning only three boats were able to finish within the cut-off time.”

Sunday’s race also caused a lot of pressure aboard Thurston’s yacht, with the team understanding it was more than likely the deciding race between themselves and Garrett. “Stressful race that Sunday race! We just wanted the left and had a beauty start and took Sally out in the process, which was helpful.”

This year’s New Zealand Open saw a great turnout from women’s crews, with four of the eight teams being all-female outfits and 2nd, 3rd and 4th place being taken out by Sally Garrett, Leslie Egnot and Megan Thomson respectively.

“Seeing all the women’s crews out there was so good,” said Thurston.

“They were all really strong crews, and it was really cool to see them out there enjoying themselves. I hope we can see more all-female crews getting together like that and competing in other regattas.”

Results: 1, Harry Thurston; 2, Sally Garrett; 3, Leslie Egnot; 4, Megan Thomson; 5, Matt Cole; 6, Brad Salthouse; 7, Peter Sumich; 8, Maria Ferrario.

Harry Thurston and crew at the prizegiving.

402/243 Kepa Road, Mission Bay 3 Bed

3 Bath

2 Carport

Positioned on the ridgeline and bordering the lush 13 hectare Kepa Reserve this corner-sited luxury penthouse is a rare chance to celebrate a sweeping City of Sails panorama.

32 Breeze Magazine

1

THANKING THE MUMS

2

4

Mother’s Day is a special occasion that gives us the opportunity to express our gratitude for everything our mums do for us. The Squadron’s ‘High Tea on the Day’ saw mothers, grandmothers, and even some aunties enjoy a selection of sweet and savoury delicacies prepared by Executive Chef Jean Brito, followed by Harney & Sons teas.

3

Breeze Magazine 33

5

6

1/ From left, Mark, Thomas, Wayne, Jane and Simon Hughes.

2/ From left, Pamela Peryman, Christine Wilson, Meryl Morris and Sonja Boric.

3/ From left, Kevin, Lorraine, Beryl, Michael and William Pollock.

4/ The Faire family, John, Anton, Elsie, Richard, Monique and Stacy.

5/ The Wilson family, Wendy, Steve, Barry and Alona.

6/ From left, Thomas, Emily and Franklin Baron with Colleen and Bob Looker.

7/ Tiers of tiny cakes and scrumptious savouries greeted guests.

Pictures by Debra Douglas

7

G EXCELLEN KIN

RATING 40 Y B E L

S OF SAILMA R A E

CE

E S T 19 8 2

CE

Swift across Land

34 Breeze Magazine

Words and Images by Ivor Wilkins

Emerging through a veil of light rain and enveloped in spray, Emirates Team New Zealand’s Horonuku seemed like an alien creature, a three-dimensional triangle of slender appendages whipping past in a blur of eerie silence.

Just four days earlier, Horonuku was launched with due ceremony at ETNZ’s waterfront HQ, the name bestowed by Ngāti Whātua-o-Ōrākei translating to ‘Swift across the Land’.

Occupying the adjacent workbay, ETNZ’s AC75 America’s Cup champion was a silent reminder that the team’s principal purpose is to be swift across the water, but, in the brief pause between Cup defences, an attempt to break the 13-year-old wind-powered land speed record has proved a stimulating side-project.

There is a palpable sense of excitement and energy around the attempt, the brainchild of wing trimmer Glenn Ashby, who has nurtured this dream since he was a 10-year-old.

Before the completion of the 2021 America’s Cup defence, Ashby floated the idea of utilising ETNZ’s design and engineering expertise between Cup cycles to take on the challenge of beating the 202.9km/ hour mark set in 2009 by British engineer Richard Jenkins with Greenbird on a dry lake in California.

In a nod to the foiling monohull Cup yacht standing alongside, Ashby said the ancestry of the futuristic land machine had direct links to the team’s previous America’s Cup designs. “Although this is unique, it shares the DNA of boats built before.”

Guillaume Verdier, whose avant garde work with foiling designs has produced winners from the Vendee Globe to America’s Cup, summed up the invigorating buzz around the land speed attempt. “It has been great fun intellectually – very refreshing,” he said.

“We have learned a lot about aerodynamics, some of which will find its way into the next Cup programme,” Ashby added – along with much new knowledge about wheels and tyres, which presumably will not.

Straight from the launch ceremony, the small group involved in the externally-funded Horonuku project moved to the Royal NZ Air Force base at Whenuapai, Auckland to begin an intense shakedown and testing regime, prior to shipping the craft to Lake Gairdner, a remote salt lake in South Australia, about 440km northwest of Adelaide. The lake is over 160km long and 48km wide, with salt more than 1.2m thick in places.

When it dries out, the lake is frequently used for motorised speed

record attempts. Ironically, it had a major dumping of rain earlier this year, which cancelled the annual March speed week activities, but Ashby said all indications were that it was rapidly drying out.

Once the base is set up, team weatherman Roger ‘Clouds’ Badham will be watching for the strong 30-35 knot pre-frontal south westerlies that blow in from the Great Australian Bight and will hopefully provide ideal conditions for the record attempt.

The window of opportunity is between June and September this year, after which the new AC40s will come on stream and attention will be focused on sailing.

This is not the first time America’s Cup teams have donned wheels to test sailing concepts. Thirty-five years ago, when Dennis Conner’s Stars and Stripes team was preparing to defend the Cup against Michael Fay’s Big Boat challenge, it mounted a hard-wing sail on wheels and tested it in the Mojave Desert with designer John Marshall’s Porsche pacing alongside. But that was a fairly crude contraption compared with the sleek machine Ashby will pilot in the world record attempt.

“Eleven out of 10,” he enthused when asked to summarise the results of the Whenuapai testing programme. “To send it down the runway in

the

testing phase is fantastic. I am really pleased with where we are at. It is like a cross between flying, driving a car, riding a bike and sailing all in one.”

Out in the South Australian desert, the winds are expected to be fairly constant, whereas on a blustery, rainy day in Auckland, the wind funnelling between Air Force hangars and buildings made the going very skittish on the wet tarmac.

“The loading and unloading on the wing was quite extreme,” Ashby acknowledged. “The modes change very quickly and you have to be on your toes to keep it in the middle of the runway.”

To that extent, it was a good test of the wing, which at 10m2 is smaller than an A-Class catamaran wing.

“The wing is set up to largely look after itself,” said Ashby. Fully loaded with just 2° of apparent wind across the fuselage, the craft will be sideslipping at about 10° with the specialist 480km/h-rated tyres straining under constant cornering load to resist leeway.

The wing and its counterbalancing arm floats free to maintain a preset constant apparent wind angle. “The platform can slide around under the wing, but the side force remains constant,” Ashby explained.

“If the wing was rigidly connected to the fuselage, just half a degree

Breeze Magazine 35

Enveloped in clouds of spray and clocking speeds up to 150km/h, Emirates Team New Zealand’s Horonuku successfully completed an intense regime of testing at the Royal NZ Air Force base at Whenuapai.

of apparent wind angle change at over 200km/h equates to tonnes of sideforce.” Without the free-floating auto-control, the craft would be unmanageable.

Ashby said the gusty conditions at the air base put the system through a tough test. “It coped amazingly well, probably better than I expected in these conditions. Out of the box, it has been brilliant,” he said.

“Just learning how the power comes on and off with the wing control and how the steering geometry works and what feedback you are getting through the wheels versus sideload on the wing is massively interesting.”

For the Whenuapai tests, the craft was towed up to speed. Lying almost prone in the cockpit, Ashby released the towline and, like a glider soaring free, was on his own. At just over 2km long, however, runway space was severely constrained and each run lasted less than 30 seconds before the brakes had to come on.

“The craft is designed to spool up to speed over a 5-6km distance,” said Ashby. “Like a big old gas turbine winding up, it takes a lot of energy to get going. But, once it is up to speed, I will really be able to get into the balance and feel of it and the intricacies of how the wheels react and how the wing is loading and how the feedback is working.

36 Breeze Magazine

A delighted Glenn Ashby signals satisfaction with test results at the Air Force base.

“In these constrained and gusty conditions, it is quite difficult. But, once we get out in the open, I expect we will be able to get the ballast right, the tyre pressure, suspension set-up and the camber angles right.

That is all part of the great challenge.

“It is very powerful. There is no doubt that if we have the wind, it will keep accelerating. Eventually it will come down to the lateral grip the wheels and tyres will provide on the salt surface. That is a great unknown, but we believe the wet tarmac is about as close as we can possibly get to the grip coefficient of the salt lake surface.

It is understood the Whenuapai testing produced speeds of about

150km/h, but on the rainy day in question, in winds gusting beween 12-23 knots, the top speed was around 125km/h. “Only another 100km/h to go,” grinned Ashby. “If the runway was double the length, I would probably have got another 40-50km/h more.”

Space will not be a constraint with 160km of flat, open terrain beckoning at Lake Gairdner. Bursting with enthusiasm, Ashby gives every sign that he is impatient to unleash the beast and let it run and run and run until the target is reached.

Perhaps then Ngāti Whātua-o-Ōrākei will have to change the name from Swift across the Land to Swiftest across the Land.

Breeze Magazine 37

This picture: Ngãti Whãtua-o-Õrãkei elders bless and name Horonuku.

Below left: ETNZ members wheel Horonuku out of the RNZAF hangar ready for test runs on the main runway.

38 Breeze Magazine

Flying machine – ETNZ’s foiling hydrogen-powered chase boat has passed all its performance trials with flying colours.

Project Hydrogen flies to the future Incongruous as it may seem, a vital piece of safety equipment on Emirates Team New Zealand’s state-of-the-art hydrogen chase boat is a very old-tech household broom.

Hydrogen burns at over 2000°C, but the flame is invisible. So, if a fire is suspected in one of the on-board fuel cells, the safety procedure is to extend the broom above the site and watch the bristles. If the bristles instantly vaporise, sound the alarms.

Apart from that unexpected item of information, the remaining safety briefing was pretty much standard fare for any craft flying over water involving lifejackets and seatbelts. In every other respect, boarding the futuristic vessel and leaving the dock is familiar boating procedure.

With the Toyota fuel cells powering twin electric motors, a stealthmode silence might have been expected, like a Tesla ghosting along.

Instead, there is a transmission whine from the vertical drive shafts, which extend more than a metre down through the foil struts to a gearbox delivering power to the propellors.

At speed, a high-pitched harmonic from the rudder adds another note to proceedings, but the engineers are confident both sound sources can be mitigated.

Even in its unmodulated state, however, the decibel levels allow quite normal conversation at more than 40 knots. The overriding sensation is of an uncannily smooth ride, banking through tight turns with no apparent G-force and leaving no wake behind.

Lift-off onto the inverted Pi-shape foil occurs at just under 20 knots and acceleration from 20 knots to 40 knots is achieved with no fuss

in four seconds – with plenty of throttle still in reserve. While this performance is an important aspect of the whole concept, the headline feature is that it is achieved with no emissions at all. The only by-product from the hydrogen fuel-cells is water.

A glaring anomaly of major sailing events like the America’s Cup is that, although the yachts are powered by clean wind, the regatta requires an armada of support vessels all burning fossil fuel at high rates, emitting noise and fumes and churning up the water. It is the sport’s dirty secret.

Now, however, ETNZ has written into the protocol for the 2024 regatta a requirement for each team to have at least two hydrogenpowered zero-emission chase boats.

The challenger teams have the option to design and build their own versions, as long as they meet all the specifications, or ETNZ will make their designs available. A third option would be to supply completed boats to challenger teams, although the build would probably be contracted out to a New Zealand yard to enable the in-house ETNZ boatbuilding team to focus on the next generation AC75.

The boat currently turning heads on the Waitemata Harbour and out in the Hauraki Gulf is ETNZ’s prototype, which was launched in early May. From Day One, it met or exceeded targets. “We basically turned the key and it has gone without a hitch ever since,” says Chris ‘Curly’ Salthouse, who directs the on-water support operations.

With a grin, he confesses he received an ear-bashing for exceeding the speed limits on the first day when, with CEO Grant Dalton’s mischievous encouragement, he could not resist giving the throttles a nudge.

Breeze Magazine 39

Below the waterline?

We’ve got it covered.

When you’re out on the water, you shouldn’t have to worry about what’s going on underneath it. That’s why we’ve been out in the field, designing, testing and optimising our coatings to safeguard your boat from fouling. Our results? A new range of antifoulings tailored for your convenience, each providing superior colour and performance you can trust.

international-yachtpaint.com 10361/1220

40 Breeze Magazine

The elevated position and huge glass windshield provide fantastic all-round visibility, ideal for performance monitoring and entertaining VIPs. Air scoops on the cabintop direct airflow down the windscreen mullions and into the hydrogen fuel cells in each hull.

It was not long before the target speed of 50 knots was achieved.

To test the range target of 150 miles, the boat ran a circuit between the bottom end of Waiheke Island to Kawau Island and then around the Inner Gulf islands for 5.5 hours, averaging 28.3 knots with occasional bursts to 50 knots.

“We had a variety of conditions, including cross breeze, cross swells and waves. It handles pretty well,” says Salthouse. “You have to remind yourself you are in a 10m boat running along at more than 30 knots and it is pretty comfortable.

“We completed that day with about 10% reserve fuel left.” A similar

A lifetime of high action sailing in M-Class and 18ft skiffs

expedition with their outboard-powered RIB would have consumed close to 830 litres of petrol.

Up to 35 knots, the boat runs on hydrogen only, with some power left to the charge the bank of batteries. For bursts to 50 knots, the batteries kick in like a supercharger, with the monitors displaying battery load and capacity.

The operation is very familiar to anyone experienced with conventional boats. Twin throttles to the right of the steering wheel handle power and direction, while flight control is automated. The pilot sets a ride height – usually between 0.9 – 1.2m, depending on conditions – and flaps along

BOB GORDON

AREINZ

027 475 9025 ı b.gordon@barfoot.co.nz ı www.barfoot.co.nz

Celebrating 50+ years of RNZYS membership and 28 years of successfully selling property in Glendowie and the wider bays with Barfoot & Thompson, St Heliers.

RNZYS M class champion 1971/1972 & 1973/1974

Breeze Magazine 41 the trailing edge of the main foil and the T-shape rudder activate to maintain flight and banked turns.

With accommodation for six in aircraft-style seats, the team boats will be used for carrying designers, engineers, performance analysts and the like, but could also provide fantastic opportunities for taking VIP guests right into the heart of the action on the course, without disturbing the

Monitors in front of each seat provides performance information, including speed, foiling height, hydrogen and battery reserves.

race yachts. Similarly, they could be used for on-water umpires and as stable media platforms.

Salthouse says the conventional RIBs would likely still be used for carrying spares, equipment and maintenance personnel, but instead of tracking constantly up and down the course, would be stationed off to one side and only called into action in emergencies, or between races.

The absence of any wake at speeds up to 50 knots means Chase Zero would be able to operate on the race track without disturbing the yachts.

A Rockstar Project – Toyota Chief

7 Evesham Avenue, Glendowie

The technological achievement of designing and building the ETNZ Chase Zero project could not be overstated, according to Toyota NZ CEO Neeraj Lala.

“This is the first boat of this type in the world,” he said. Describing it as a “rockstar project”, he added: “Experts told us this could not be done inside of three years, but it has been done inside of 12 months.”

Lala emphasised that hydrogen was a critical component of the company’s decarbonisation strategy, but it was primarily targeted at heavy commercial applications, not private motorcars, where electrification was the major thrust.

“We will invest in all power trains – hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery electric, or hydrogen fuel cells,” he said. “But we are fully committed to electrifying our light vehicle fleet.”

Lala said New Zealand was primed for a flourishing domestic and export hydrogen economy and Toyota’s goal was to bring fuel cell technology to innovators and collaborate to help support that economy.

The combination of technologies embodied in the ETNZ Chase Zero was a great example of what could be done. “The two 80 kW fuel cells were pre-production units that were effectively hand-built and integrated with technology developed by ETNZ. “It is already creating huge waves amongst Toyota distributors globally. This is a Kiwi innovation, which we can take global.”

S

OL $3,150 D ,000

BOB GORDON

AREINZ

027 475 9025 ı b.gordon@barfoot.co.nz ı www.barfoot.co.nz

Bob Gordon grew up in the Eastern Bays of the Waitematā Harbour. Added to that, his nearly three decades in the property business have given him a unique insight into the area and an unmatched record in the market.

Selling or buying, call Bob to arrange an obligationfree consultation on your property requirements.

809m2 redevelopment site

42 Breeze Magazine

1

America’s Cup update with Team NZ

2

3

4

5

Breeze Magazine 43 With the venue decision for the 37th America’s Cup now behind them, Emirates Team New Zealand members told a packed luncheon at the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron they are “in a good place” and looking forward to what lies ahead.

In a video address from Barcelona, team CEO Grant Dalton said ties between the Squadron and the team had never been better.

“Barcelona is the right call for this round of the America’s Cup – and I stress this round,” he said, adding the Spanish city sees the Cup as a mechanism to pull them out of a decline.

“They will work to make this an amazing event and we have taken 4,000 room nights to make sure there is accommodation for Kiwis to be part of it,” he said.

The Barcelona summer programme in 2024 will include the last of three world series regattas involving all the Cup teams, Youth and Women’s America’s Cups, J-Class and superyacht regattas, culminating with the America’s Cup Match in early October.

Commodore Aaron Young added that the RNZYS was working on travel options to enable members to make “Barcelona a home away from home”. This includes establishing reciprocal rights with Club Nautico de Barcelona, which is excited to have the RNZYS as partners for the next couple of years.

Reporting on the state of the team, Chief Operating Officer Kevin Shoebridge told the lunch crowd the team currently comprised about 100 members and would grow to around 150 next year.

The fees paid by Barcelona ensured the event was now fully funded.

A portion of the fee also went directly to ETNZ, which still faced the task of raising another $80 million via sponsorship.

“We are in a good place,” he said. “We are

1/ The RNZYS Ballroom was packed with guests to hear the latest America’s Cup news.

Among the 230 guests were …

2/ From left, Commodore Aaron Young with ETNZ members, Tim Meldrum, Di Mason and Kevin Shoebridge.

3/ From left, Jill and Lance Hopwood, John Algie and Rod Slater.

4/ Genevieve Greer and Mariana Jimenez.

5/ From left, Hans Ellehus with Justin and Linda Bragg.

Photos by Debra Douglas.

getting great support from long-time sponsors.

At this stage, two-and-a-half years out from the America’s Cup, we have probably never been stronger.”

The primary focus was now turning to the design of the next AC75 yacht for the Cup defence, he added.

The class rule has been rewritten with the weight of the boat reduced from 7.5 tons to 6.5 tons, the foiling target for lift-off reduced from 7 knots to six, crew numbers cut from 11 to eight, with cyclors brought back into the mix to boost power.

Shoebridge predicted the AC75 designs would be much closer in 2024 than they were in 2021. “We are analysing every area of the boat to seek out where we can make gains, without chasing rainbows,” he said.

After briefing RNZYS members on the land speed record attempt and the hydrogenpowered 50-knot chaseboat project, Shoebridge said the next development would be the arrival in Auckland of the first of the AC40 one-design yachts in July.

ETNZ intended using two of these as development tools, both to test design concepts but also to provide in-house racing to sharpen the sailing team. A comprehensive review led by the international McKinsey consulting group identified that, while the challengers became battle-hardened through their elimination series, ETNZ’s lack of racing opportunities meant “we were a little exposed with our starting and race-craft”.

All the teams are obliged to purchase AC40s, which can be used for testing design developments but must be restored to onedesign configuration for the Youth and Women’s America’s Cups and for the first two of three scheduled World Series regattas.

They will be raced with crews of four and will be manoeuvrable and fast, capable of speeds only 7-8% slower than the AC75s.

Asked about the Squadron’s plans regarding the Youth and Women’s America’s Cups, Commodore Aaron Young said: “It is early days, but we will definitely be involved.

“The Youth Programme is integral to this club and has been around for 40 years. We will no doubt play a massive part in the Youth Cup and I dare say in the Women’s Cup as well.

“We want to win all three,” he declared, referencing the Youth and Women’s Cups as well as the Match..

By Ivor Wilkins

Official Sponsor of

It's good to know when you purchase something, it has come from a good place. A place that honours the land and takes care of it for future generations.

Sustainability for us means understanding, recognising and addressing any impact that our business might have on the environment. That’s not just right here where we grow vines and make wine, but in every aspect of our business.

We think carefully about our packaging choices too. Our lightweight bottles are made in New Zealand with a minimum 60% recycled content. The paper for our wine labels comes from certified, sustainably managed forests and our pallet wrap is biodegradable.

lawsonsdryhills #nopricetotheplanet

44 Breeze Magazine

In light airs, the Elan GT6 demonstrated an eager response to the slightest increase in pressure.

A case of serious brand addiction Words and Sailing Images by Ivor Wilkins In the matter of owning Elan yachts, Ian Russell is a serial offender. In less than two years, he has owned two Elans and had no sooner taken delivery of his second than he put in an order for a third.

“I am impressed by the build quality and the standard of finish,” he says of his enthusiasm for the Slovenian brand, which has been building boats since 1949.

This tendency to rapidly find himself in much deeper water than he originally intended extends to other areas of Russell’s life.

More than 40 years ago, he quit his urban roots and headed to Northland to pursue his passion for surfing. He never intended to be a farmer, but ended up owning one of the largest private farming operations in the country.

“My father died young, leaving Mum six brats to feed, so I left school and flew the nest in Cambridge to become master of my own destiny,” he recalls. Entirely self-made, he says he and his siblings were “brought up with love and little money”.

Along the way he acquired a rental property in Auckland and then risked every cent he had by selling it 20 years ago and investing in farming, steadily building his operation with “sensible land use, business practice and hardwork” into a major enterprise.

From an early age, he was keen on Jaguar motorcars. As a teenager, the first car he possessed was a Mk II. Later, when he found himself attending funerals for friends of a similar vintage, he decided he needed to start ticking off some of his bucket list goals.

One of them was to own a Jaguar XKR, but, true to form, he ended up owning five, three of them simultaneously.

Another bucket list item was to get back into sailing. He had owned several yachts before, including a heavily-raced Farr 940. As a member of the Tutukaka Yacht Club, he once again demonstrated a penchant for getting more deeply involved than intended by playing an active role backing Chris Dickson’s Tag Heuer America’s Cup challenge in 1995.

“I was involved with chasing sponsorship and ended up putting in what I called ‘hump money’ – funds to get over the humps and keep the campaign ticking over.”

It was the 2021 America’s Cup that sparked his return to sailing and his first foray into Elan ownership. He purchased an Elan Impression 45, which he berthed in Westhaven Marina to enable him to watch the Cup racing from the water. It also provided an opportunity to join the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, a membership he values greatly.

During this period, Elan began marketing a new model, the 15m GT6.

Although there were only computer renderings of the boat at that stage, Russell liked what he saw enough to place an order off the plans.

Breeze Magazine 45 The first of Elan’s GT series was the 13.2m GT5, launched in 2017. Designed

by Humphreys Yacht Design, the GT5 featured the semi-pilothouse configuration that runs through much of the Humphreys’ portfolio, with a twin-rudder hard-chine hull. The GT badging evoked the Grand Tourer concept drawn from the motor industry to suggest high performance cruising.

For the GT6, Elan again turned to Humphreys Yacht Design, who applied a full CFD analysis to the hull design.The luxury sports car theme was emphasised by adding Studio F.A. Porsche to the styling mix. Porsche has contributed to motoryacht brands in the past, but this was the first collaboration with a sailboat project The trademark Humphreys features remain with the semi-pilothouse, flush foredeck configuration and wide-body vacuum-infused hull with hard chines and twin rudders. The Studio Porsche influences are evident in sculpted curves and ergonomic detailing in the cockpit and interior, which heighten the sense of elegance and precision engineering.

The interior features a large owners’ stateroom up forward with a king-size bed and ensuite facilities. Two guest cabin layouts are available, offering either one or two double aft cabins served by a day head and shower, situated by the companionway stairs.

In-hull ports, overhead hatches and generous pilothouse front and side windows pour light into the interior with its contemporary furnishing and brushed and whitened oak joinery.

Like the GT5, the galley is positioned down a step at the forward end of the saloon, where pitch and roll moment is minimised. For alfresco

entertaining, the cockpit options include built-in fridges and BBQ. The cockpit transom lowers to create a boarding platform, providing easy flow between the twin helm stations and seating area to the companionway. All the sailing controls fall easily to hand at the helm stations, which provide good forward visibility, standing or sitting. The side decks are kept clear with control lines running beneath the surface and exiting into dedicated cockpit lockers to keep things tidy.

The fully-battened mainsail stows into a smart boom stacker, while the self-tacking blade jib furls away, with the tack drum concealed below deck. Provision is made for a reacher or gennaker to fly from the fixed bowsprit, which also carries the anchor.

A lightwind outing on the Waitemata Harbour did not provide a full test of the yacht’s sailing abilities, but showed an eager response to the slightest puff. “I have had it out in 30 knots and I find it sails better than I expected,” says Russell. “I like a boat that I know will be safe in all conditions.

“Unless you are a racer through and through with no tolerance for an anchor on the bow, or any furniture down below, I find it an excellent all-rounder that I can easily handle on my own.

“It is very comfortable with air conditioning, watermaker and all the equipment, like an Auckland apartment. Yet, it is still reasonably lively. The steering is very positive and responsive.”

Russell plans to race in RNZYS events and also undertake some long range cruises. “I would like to see a lot more of New Zealand,” he says.

This is the first sailboat project to benefit from Studio F.A. Porsche’s elegant styling and design

ALL ACCOR Logo JOB : 19J3103E Date : 16/04/19 Scale : Size : Fabrication :

C100 M90 Y0 K60 Pantone 2766C

46 Breeze Magazine

The contemporary interior is spacious and bathed in light from overhead hatches, pilothouse windows and in-hull ports.

“From North Cape to Tauranga has been my cruising ground up to now.

I would like to see more, perhaps even a New Zealand circumnavigation, including Fiordland.

“And then, as long as the bureaucratic requirements are not too onerous, maybe a cruise to the islands as well.”

Meanwhile, there is the small matter of the Elan E6 he has ordered.

This is a similar size to the GT6, but with more of a racer-cruiser performance orientation – 2,000kg lighter, a deeper T-bulb keel and nearly 10m2 more sail area.

The association with luxury high performance cars is continued, this

The well-appointed galley is situated forward of the saloon where any pitch and roll moment is minimised.

time with the Italian Pininfarina design studio best known for its long-time Ferrari collaboration.

“I am nervously waiting,” Russell admits. “I like the GT6, but I have to admit, the more pictures I see of the E6 and the more I read about the performance figures, the more interested I become. Maybe I will have a cruise boat and a race boat, but I don’t really need that.”

This is the nature of serial offending. “People are starting to think I am an Elan broker, or dealer,” he laughs. “I don’t know … whatever I decide, I know I would be happy with either of them.”

Interior Images courtesy of Pinnacle Marine

The owner’s stateroom features a king-size bed and ensuite facilities, while guest options are for one or two double cabins aft.

Breeze Magazine 47

QUALITY MARINE PRODUCTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD INTRODUCING

MELFI HELM CHAIRS Melfi Designs have been developing and designing elegant and brilliantly designed Helm Chairs.

• Robust, comfortable, ergonomic seat has reclining backrest & liftable armrests.

Choice of mount: • Sturdy 125mm dia. SS Pedestal post (Gas or Electric), 200mm height adjust with fore/aft slider.

Ian Russell and friends enjoying a late autumn cruise.

OR

Siena 1

• Bench/Plinth mount with slider.

Elan GT6 Principal Specifications LOA Hull length LWL Beam Draft (standard) Air Draft Light Displacement Ballast Water Fuel Engine Design Naval Architect NZ Agent

15.14m (49ft 08in) 14.33m (47ft 00in) 13.50m (44ft 03in) 4.49m (14ft 09in) 2.45m (8ft 04in) 21.90m (71ft 10in) 13,340kg (29,409lbs) 3,900kg (8,600lbs) 500 litres (132 US Gals) 300 litres (79.2 US Gals) Yanmar 41.9kW or 58.8kW Studio F.A. Porsche Humphreys Yacht Design Pinnacle Marine pinnaclemarine.co.nz

• Options for: -Pedestal height -Bolster (knee roll) -Seat width -Backrest/Head rest -Electric seat adjustments -Electronic engine & helm controls.

Upholstery choices: Innova Brand: Suple, Hayden or Terra Nova (inside only) Siena 11

Adjustable Bolster

www.sopac.co.nz 09 448 5900 | info@sopac.co.nz 41c William Pickering Dr, Albany, Auckland.

48 Breeze Magazine

Island Escape’s new luxury cruise vessel of the same name offers superb facilities and ‘next level’ quality. – Photo supplied by Island Escape

An exceptional Fiordland Experience Words and Photos by P.J. Montgomery Headlined as the Ultimate Fiordland Voyage, Island Escape Cruises has introduced a 12-night voyage aboard its magnificent new vessel, which offers an experience like no other.

Combining Northern and Southern Fiordland, the summer cruises are designed to immerse guests in the exploration of these ancient landforms. The comprehensive itinerary includes visits to Dusky and Breaksea Sound, exploring Pickersgill Harbour, Wet Jacket, Broughton and Vancouver arms. Then on to Dagg Sound, Doubtful Sound, and Thompson Sound, including Patea Passage, the Cut and Blanket Bay, followed by a passage north to enter Nancy, Charles, Caswell, George and Bligh Sounds, and finishing at Milford Sound.

In March 2016, I was one of several RNZYS members who joined the

A plaque at Astronomers Point commemorates the site of the temporary observatory set up during Captain James Cook’s stay in 1773.

company’s previous vessel, Island Passage, cruising the six sounds south of Milford Sound.

But until now it has not been possible to cruise Dusky or Doubtful Sounds, and other magnificent fiords further south.

It has taken years of planning and consent negotiations to set up the unique opportunity to see the magnificent wilderness and experience the diversity of the untouched world of Fiordland.

In March, I returned to experience the expanded cruise itinerary aboard the newly-launched luxury vessel, Island Escape and was glad to once again discover fellow Squadron members among the guests. In convivial company, we enjoyed the great variety of stunning fiords with spectacular breath-taking sights that few have had the privilege to visit.

There are other vessels operating in Fiordland, but most are smaller

Captain Cook beached Resolution here in 1773 to repair her hull.

The branch Resolution was secured to is still there.

Breeze Magazine 49

MAKE CRUISING A BREEZE On the water, we know that precision and reliability are everything. Designed and tested by sailors, for sailors, VulcanTM is intuitive to use and takes the guesswork out of sailing, leaving you free to enjoy your time cruising the coasts.

VULCAN SERIES TM

AVAILABLE IN 7 & 9”

Like all B&G chartplotters, VulcanTM is easy to integrate with all key navigation equipment and includes B&G’s award-winning sailing features, as standard. Get all the information you need at a glance with SailSteerTM. Know exactly when to tack with Laylines. And monitor time and distance to waypoints with SailingTime.

Passionate about Sailing

WWW.BANDG.COM ®

Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off, and ™ common law marks. Visit www.navico.com/intellectual-property to review the global trademark rights for Navico Holding AS.

50 Breeze Magazine

The helicopter flights in and out of Fiordland provide a unique view of this stunning part of New Zealand. and offer shorter stays, or day trips. Many are confined by their consents to more restricted cruise areas.

Island Escape is another level of cruising luxury, which can deal with all weathers in comfort, and brings a gold standard to cruising this spectacular untouched world.

With excellent cabins, service and food, Fiordland with Island Escape is an exceptional experience.

And, the helicopter flights before and after the cruise are an exhilarating bonus. These flights take guests across the Great Divide providing stunning views of a spectacular part of New Zealand most people never see.

They leave from Te Anau to board the Island Escape anchored in Fiordland, and at the end of the cruise they leave Milford Sound for Glenorchy.

P.J. Montgomery explores ashore during his Island Escape cruise in Fiordland.

Harken would like to congratulate all the crews in the recent RNZYS Youth International Match Racing Cup. We are committed to supporting Youth Sailing internationally.

With over 110 years of experience, we know how to recommend, specify and service a huge range of the world’s most trusted 24 D ecemb er 8am- 2p m marine products for yachts.

25 - 28 D ecemb er - C l osed 29 - 30 D ecemb er 9am- 4p m

31 Dus ecemb er 9am2p mthe right price, Come in and see onshore, to get the first time, every time.

1 - 4 Januar y 2022 - C l osed 5 Januar y 2022 8am – 5p m.

www.foste rsshi pchandl er y.co.nz 129 Westhave n Drive

Ph: 09 30 3 3744

i nfo@ harken.co. nz

52 Breeze Magazine

In Part 2 of Taranui 3’s epic cruise to the deep south, Tony Whiting describes an extraordinary experience of sailing in Fiordland.

Fabulous Fiordland

Taranui 3 at Head of Wet Jacket Arm after rain.

We had our last swim on the beach at Port William on the North Coast of Rakiura/Stewart Island and set sail in a rare calm that was covering the South Coast. The challenge for all mariners on this coast is Puysegur Point, which typically sees gales for 300 days a year. This gets your attention.

The local operators –– fishermen, charter boats, commercial vessels –– all know how this South West tip of New Zealand can throw up big winds and waves.

When you look at the oceans meeting, the deflection of the prevailing winds off the Southern Alps and the funnel effect of Foveaux Strait, it all makes sense. Added to this are the large areas of shallows of Puysegur Point and Cape Providence.

As we motor-sailed across Foveaux Strait and Matupohe Mountain near Bluff dropped over the stern, the well named Ruggedy Mountains of West Rakiura came into view as did Whenua Hou (Codfish Island).

The seas around the tall pinnacles of rock were once a haven for whales and seals. Even in calm conditions, the swell meeting us from Antarctica as we left Foveaux Strait was impressive. We were justifiably anxious about this crossing.

We crept along the coast at night, Furuno radar on and watching the sounder carefully, and dropped anchor in Cuttle Cove, an old whaling station in Preservation Inlet, about 2am on a beautiful clear night.

We awoke to low mountains all around and a totally different feel to Rakiura. We were in the fiords now, numerous U-shaped valleys carved out by glaciers about 20,000 years ago that stretched from the once massive ice sheet west of what is now Lake Manopouri.

Te Wāhipounamu (the place of greenstone) South West New Zealand World Heritage Area is one of the great wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere and covers 2.6 million hectares including Aoraki (Mt Cook) and Mt Aspiring National Parks.

There are close links between this unique place and Gondwanaland of 100 million years ago. When you immerse yourself in the deep southern beech, rata, rimu and kahikatea forests all covered in ferns, it is easy to transport yourself back to this time, especially with the incredible bird and sea-life that abounds.

One of the books we used as a guide was Beneath the Reflections, which was produced by the Fiordland Marine Guardians. This group comprises people from Ngai Tahu iwi, commercial and recreational fishers and charter boat operators, who share a goal to restore and protect this unique place for future generations.

The mantra for recreational fishers and charter boats is to take enough fish or lobster for a feed, not for the freezer. The balance of nature is noted by the abundance of dolphins and the thousands of seabirds chasing the schools of fish.

With so many fiords to choose from, we decided to concentrate on a few. Tamatea Dusky Sound is a different world with huge mountains of heavily glaciated granite and deep fiords, some up to 300m deep.

The area was settled by Maori and was well explored by the great navigator Tamatea in about 1300 AD. James Cook made two visits, the first when he circumnavigated New Zealand in 1770, and later on Resolution in 1773, when he set up Astronomers Point. Many of the islands, channels and harbours are named from this time.

Breeze Magazine 53 One we particularly enjoyed was Luncheon Cove on Anchor Island, directly inside the southern entrance and now a bird sanctuary well managed by the Department of Conservation.

The elimination of rats and stoats has allowed the birdlife to flourish.

Numerous kaka screeched overhead, bellbirds, tieke (saddleback), mohua, (yellowhead) and kereru galore swooped by; kakapo are increasing. All around the cove are seals in their dens. The fishing is wonderful and, if you snorkel for crayfish, it is easy pickings.

QUALITY MARINE EQUIPMENT FROM AROUND THE WORLD

NEED FAST RELIABLE BATTERY CHARGING FOR HOUSE BANK?

Balmar Marine alternators are specifically designed to deliver high output at engine idle.

6 Series Alternator with Regulator Kit

Even when working in a hot engine room their performance remains high.

• 6 Series up to 120 amps • XT Series up to 250 amps • Multi-6, 8 and 10 groove Serpentine pulleys and pulley kits are available for most engines.

XT Series Alternator with Regulator Kit

Complete kits include programmable Regulator with temperature sensors.

Add SG200 Battery Monitor with Smartlink Bluetooth to your phone.

Yanmar fitted with Valeo alternator? Ask about 30% faster charging with Smart Ready Retrofit.

SG200 Battery Monitor Kit

From the top: Alex Hillary rowing, Pickersgill Harbour, Tamatea Dusky Fiord.

Ian and Ailsa Deverick at head of Vancouver Arm. One of many rivers off Vancouver Arm.

For experience backed advice, contact us about 24 V and 48 V alternators for high output heavy duty applications.

www.sopac.co.nz 09 448 5900 | info@sopac.co.nz 41c William Pickering Dr, Albany, Auckland.

54 Breeze Magazine We loved cruising Wet Jacket Arm, Breaksea Sound, Vancouver Arm, but my all-time favourite is Broughton Arm, a winding fiord with a big amphitheatre at its head, hanging valleys with waterfalls cascading down and huge peaks all round. With dense native forest descending to the shoreline, the bird song is constant, including kiwi calling at night.

We sat on our bean bags on the foredeck in the calm evenings, ate chocolate and sipped whisky and were amazed at the clarity of the night sky, the immense Milky Way, the occasional shooting star. Memorable moments.

Sailing north to Doubtful Sound, La Nina weather patterns and warm currents had the tuna running. My first mate Will, hooked up 10 tuna, including a 35kg Yellow Tail. He landed five and we kept one. Sashimi and

a number of other great meals were shared with our friends from the Island Cruising Rally on the classic yacht Ilex.

Doubtful Sound is a series of huge fiords and Crooked Arm one of our favourites. We loved Gaer Arm and Precipice Cove with their huge surrounding peaks. Deep Cove is a welcome refueling and reprovisioning stop.

We missed George Sound and many others, but called into Milford Sound, which is quite amazing. As many of you know, huge walls of vertical granite, almost overwhelming. There are waterfalls, hanging glaciers and more immense deep valleys, all a fitting finale to this magical part of the world.

So much left to see, but it was time for Taranui 3 to turn for home.

Charter vessel “Cindy Hardy” at head of Vancouver Arm, Breaksea Fiord.

Some advice for Fiordland Cruisers: • Reference books include the Island Cruising NZ South Island Rally guidebook, Beneath the Reflections and A Boaties Guide to Fiordland by Mana Cruising Club.

• As with Rakiura, be on weather watch, check in with Merri Leask at Bluff Fisherman’s Radio every day and be particularly aware of cold fronts moving up from the deep South, which seem to bring strong northerlies.

• In heavy weather, find a small harbour to anchor and set two, or three other lines to trees, rocks or anchor points.

• Carry plenty of fuel; the only places to refuel are Deep Cove in Doubtful Sound and Milford Sound.

• Communication is difficult with SSB radio and Iridium phone due to the deep fiords, but the VHF repeater stations generally work well.

No phone or internet other than Milford. We carried a Garmin In Reach and this worked well for an emergency evacuation.

• Take a good rowing dinghy and/or kayaks to explore the many rivers, streams and islands to really get a feel for the forest and surrounds. There are few walking tracks, so this is the easiest way to get around and exercise.

• Talk to the fishermen and charter operators about using moorings, as the water is often very deep. We had 100m of chain and a big Manson Supreme anchor that never failed us. Be aware of the hundreds of crayfish holding pots in storage around the many harbours, usually in 20m of water. We got one caught around our rudder in a big blow.

• Transport in and out for friends was via Wings and Water in Te Anau. They have two float planes and offer a great service; they tie up to the back of the boat. A great scenic flight too.

• My thanks to Viki Moore from Island Cruising for the South Island Rally, Dave and Sue McKay and also Nick Atkinson for their advice and support.

Sponsored Content

Breeze Magazine 55

Is the storm beginning to lift for conservative investors?

The first half of the year has been very tumultuous for investors across the board, there is no other way to say it. Due partly to the conflict in Europe, inflation running hot globally and interest rates beginning to rise, volatility has come back to the financial markets in a big way. Investors around the world are looking to central bank messaging for any indication as to the path ahead for interest rates. Too hard and fast could hurt the economy. However, too slow and prices could rage out of control. Central banks are in a difficult situation, presently performing a meticulous balancing act.

An unfortunate consequence of the expectation of rising interest rates is that conservative investors, investing primarily in bonds, have experienced high levels of volatility. So much so that their experience has been similar to that of equity investors so far in 2022. There’s a good chance that this will have taken many by surprise.

Bonds, which are a great source of portfolio diversification and normally act as a strong hedge against share-price volatility, have had the worst start to the year since record keeping began!

Why has this happened? Why are Bonds being sold off in such volatile times?

Inflation has hit 30-year highs due to the huge amounts of monetary and fiscal stimulus used to support economies during the COVID-19 era. This, coupled with supply-chain disruptions and rising oil prices, has sparked a need for urgent action from central banks to get rising prices under control. New Zealand was quick off the mark to begin raising interest rates to combat inflation and has been closely followed in recent times by the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Bond prices have an inverse relationship to interest rates, so when interest rates rise, current bond prices fall. Even the expectation of interest rate rises can have a heavy effect on the current price of a bond.

The large sell-off in bonds at the start of 2022 was largely due to investors’ future expectations that central banks need to raise interest rates to fight inflation.

This chart taken from the RBNZ website shows the significant increase in inflation in recent times.

While the chart above looks concerning, it also gives us comfort in knowing that we have seen spikes in inflation before. Central banks will continue to raise interest rates to slow down economies and bring prices under control. History shows that sooner or later, they will be successful in their mission.

Milford has been under-weighting fixed income securities such as bonds in our multi-asset funds and portfolios since the beginning of this year. The strategy of holding higher levels of cash and not investing more into bonds has helped mitigate some of the volatility that our conservative investors will have felt.

So where to from here for bonds and conservative investors?

There are still benefits to holding bonds. While the price of bonds can fluctuate in the short term due to sudden changes in interest rate expectations, if you continue to hold a bond until maturity, you will have your original capital returned, plus you will receive the benefit of regular interest payments during the bond’s term. This helps to provide some longer-term certainty and stability to portfolios.

Cognisant that bonds come with the risk that the issuer may become insolvent, Milford, as an active manager, focuses considerable attention on choosing the right companies whose bonds we invest in on behalf of our investors. Companies with strong balance sheets and plenty of earnings to pay back their debts are ideal target investments. Selecting these companies minimises the risk of any defaults in our portfolios.

A further benefit that comes from rising interest rates is that new bond issuances will come with a higher coupon, or interest payments attached. As always, we continue to screen the market for the best new opportunities and actively add these into the Funds as we look to optimise those future returns.

We are now beginning to see real value re-emerge in bonds. Bonds are currently being sold with very attractive yields in the current market environment. As such, we are beginning to add a higher allocation of bonds to many of our multi-asset funds, some of which are paying income yields in the realm of 4 or 5%. These income yields are coupled with the fact that if central banks can beat out inflation in the near term, there is a strong possibility of capital appreciation (gains) for many of these new bonds in the medium to long term as interest rates drift lower once the inflation battle has been won.

In conclusion, there are signs that the storm is clearing for the conservative investor. Fundamental data is starting to predict positive returns on the horizon for the more conservatively invested funds and portfolios. Milford has a range of tools available to help assess your risk profile through our website. Alternatively, you can call us with any queries you may have about your investment.

This article is intended to provide general information only. It does not take into account your investment needs or personal circumstances. It is not intended to be viewed as investment or financial advice.

Should you require financial advice you should always speak to a Financial Adviser. If you would like to speak to a Milford Adviser please contact us on 0800 662 347, or send an email to privatewealth @milfordasset.com. For information on our financial advice services visit milfordasset.com/getting-advice. Before investing please read the Milford Investment Funds Product Disclosure Statement as issued

by Milford Funds Limited at milfordasset.com

56 Breeze Magazine

FOILING FAMILY ANDREW AITKEN ANDY ANDERSON BEACON MARINE COLIN & PATRICA CARRAN COLOURWORX ROY DICKSON DODSON JAPANESE PARTSWORLD DOYLE SAILS GRAEME EDWARDS GERALD FLYNN MATTHEW FLYNN GALBRAITH FAMILY DON GRAYSON HARKEN NZ PHILLIP HART HOPMAN FAMILY ICEFIRE LTD KZ RACE FURLERS LIGHTHOUSE MARINE EQUIPMENT LUCAS FAMILY MIKE MAHONEY STEVE MAIR MCKEOGH FAMILY MULCAHY ENGINEERING DAVID NATHAN NEW WORLD BIRKENHEAD PAGANI PORK CHOP RACING ANDREW REID SAVINGS WORKS JOHN & KATHRYN SINCLAIR SOUTHERN SPARS/ RIGPRO WASHTECH WESTHAVEN ROTARY WINDOWMAKERS HUGH L WRIGHT YACHTING DEVELOPMENTS ZHIK

SUPPORTERS

Performance Programme team buzzing about the Northern Hemisphere The RNZYS’s 69F Racing Performance Programme team have been travelling the Northern Hemisphere recently after their extended break in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

While in the Balearic Islands, the team kept busy on the water in the local keelboat scene.

The team divided between three boats for the Princess Sofia Keelboat Regatta, with Niall Malone and Sam Hume sailing aboard the winning J99, Ollie Gilmour aboard a Brenta 40 and Serena Woodall aboard a GP40. Malone and Hume also won the Palma Vela Offshore Two-Handed Race, and, along with Oliver Lloyd, finished 3rd at the Palma Vela Inshore.

Their return to Act 2 of the Youth Foiling Gold Cup in Portoroz, Slovenia, saw improvements across the board for the team as they have been able to sail more aboard the Persico 69F class. The qualifying days saw breeze around 18 knots, which meant the teams were able to get plenty of foiling in.

However, as the regatta reached its business end, the breeze died off forcing the teams to sail in displacement mode.

The RNZYS team made it through to the knockout rounds and survived a close call in Knockout A to continue their journey. An excellent performance and 22s victory in Race 1 of Knockout B got the team through to Knockout C. Unfortunately, the team was knocked out by 1pt and found themselves in the same position as Act 1 – close, but not close enough for the finals.

“We learned a lot about the boat in the conditions, when to foil and when to settle for displacement mode. We started to find a bit of a groove, and it was beautiful sailing,” said Serena Woodall.

The team saw their sailing and control of the boat come along leaps and bounds, and hopes are still high with two regattas to go in

this year’s Youth Foiling Gold Cup. The next Act starts on July 11 in Newport, Rhode Island.

The team then split, with Malone and Hume joining the RNZYS’s Seawanhaka International Challenge Cup team in Long Beach, California and Serena Woodall meeting her 2.0 Racing team in Le Havre, France for the first leg of the inaugural Women’s World Match Racing Tour.

The Seawanhaka team, made up of the RNZYS’s Club Championship Finals winner’s helmed by Harry Dodson, almost added to the Squadron’s silverware with an excellent 2nd place. After qualifying 2nd through the Round Robin racing with a 12-4 record, the team knocked out Chicago Yacht Club’s Peter Holz in four races, before falling to Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, helmed by Congressional Cup bronze medallist Chris Poole.

Sadly, the 2.0 Racing team was decimated by Covid, with three of the five members falling ill which derailed their plans. However, with three regattas to go in the Tour, they will have more opportunities to show their match racing talent.

The 69F team will now gather in Newport, Rhode Island for Act 3 of the Youth Foiling Gold Cup, and we look forward to seeing how they take the lessons learnt from Portoroz. They are aiming to make the top six to reach their first final series.

Breeze Magazine 57

MAJOR SPONSOR

MASTERCARD YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAMME SUPPORTERS

New intake launches into hectic schedule at a rate of knots The Mastercard Youth Training Programme has been exceptionally busy these past couple of months with a new intake and season kicking off. We have also just completed the last of the Covid catch-up regattas, including the Hardy Cup in Sydney.

With 42 sailors in the Mastercard Youth Training Program and more than half of them first years, it is a fresh start and new friends are already being made. We have a good number of females involved again, with two helming.

Hopefully, the RNZYS hosting the Women’s Match Racing Worlds will help encourage further growth in this area.

We had a team represent us at the Hardy Cup in Sydney, helmed by Josh Hyde and crewed by Zachary Fong, Roberta Li Bassi, Nick Winter and Braedyn Denney. The team had a good showing and loved the opportunity to race overseas for the first time in a very long time for a change in scenery and opposition.

The team placed 5th, narrowly missing out on the Semi-Finals.

Immediately upon our return from Sydney, we ran the Harken Youth International Youth Match Racing Cup right here in our own back yard. The Mastercard Youth Training Programme had several teams representing us and a scattering of other sailors filling in gaps on other teams, which lost sailors due to last-minute Covid infections. Our team was Josh Hyde, Nick Drummond, Zachary Fong, Cody Coughlan and Jack Manning, who again placed 5th losing their Quarter-Final by the slimmest of margins.

Maeve White, Max McLachlan, Rory Sims and Braedyn Denney also helmed teams.

Maeve was the only female helm in the entire 14-strong fleet, which will prove to be a great experience before she heads off to helm at the Youth Match Racing World Championships in France, late July. Rory Sims and his crew had only been in the Youth Programme for a couple

of weeks before getting a last-minute entry slot to the regatta. It was a massive learning curve for them, but to their credit they finished in the top half of the fleet, which just goes to show their natural talent.

Following on from our Harken Youth International regatta, we hit the road to Wellington to compete in the Centreport Youth International Match Racing Regatta.

For this regatta, we had Jack Manning, Max McLachlan, Maeve White and Cody Coughlan sail together. Jack, in his first international event as helm, performed admirably by earning a topfour spot, only just losing out in his Semi-Final, 2-1. A great effort first up!

Now with all the catch-up regattas completed, the Mastercard Youth Training Programme can get stuck into some training and get to know each other before the summer, when we will suit up and go at these international teams again. Now that several sailors have had a taste of what it’s like to compete internationally, it will no doubt have lit a fire under them and focused them on honing their skills for the next opportunity.

This year’s Mastercard Youth Training Programme Race Management team includes stalwarts Brian Trubovich, Janet Airey, Ross Chapman and new recruit Ann Hamilton.

Welcome to the family Ann! All the sailors and coaches really appreciate the time these volunteers donate to the programme. Not only do they give up the vast majority of their weekends to run the Race Management team, but they also offer sailing and life advice to the students and coaches!

Training Manager Reuben Corbett.

BOAT SPONSORS

www.classicyacht.org.nz

ISSN 1175-804X

Issue 140 – July 2022

Honouring the founders of CYANZ

By Penelope Carroll The beginnings of the CYANZ are well documented: four keen boaåties, all restoring and repairing old classics, meet in the workshop of the NZ National Maritime Museum at a gathering to view progress on the restoration of Ngataringa in January 1995.

Greg Scopas was the new custodian of Ngataringa, Hamish Ross had bought Little Jim and begun restoring her in 1994, John Gorter had been custodian of little Thelma since 1987, and Chad Thompson had enjoyed a life-time sailing on Prize.

“During the course of conversation, one of us said,

‘Wouldn’t it be great to have a club for people mad about classic boats – and to create a base for classic racing?’” says Hamish.

The group were encouraged

by Ron Copeland, then Commodore of the Ponsonby Cruising Club (PCC). A meeting was called for May 8, 1995 at the PCC, and the CYANZ was born. Hosted by the PCC for seven years, in 2002 the association moved to its present home with the RNZYS. Last month, Hamish Ross and John Gorter received Life Memberships of the CYANZ at the 2022 annual prizegiving in recognition of their roles in its founding.

“I am so proud of what we achieved, for the sport and for the county’s heritage,” says Hamish. “We became a centre of classic racing; and it is great to see so many pictures on the walls of the RNZYS coming alive on the water.”

Hamish came to classic yachts via windsurfing and sailing a two-handed Phase Two dinghy. First there was Little Jim and then Rainbow, which he has raced on the Waitematã for the past 15 years. Sailing Rainbow is one of the most beautiful experiences you could have, he says.

John had a sailing dinghy growing up and in 1987 he decided he wanted to start

racing, so he purchased little Thelma “basically because she was cheap, and I loved the aesthetics”.

He subsequently sold her and bought and restored Iorangi.

Says John: “Classics are pieces of art. They sail well too. And there’s all that history. I love sitting on Iorangi and thinking about all the people who have sailed on her before me.”

Hamish and John both say they are delighted to have been awarded Life Memberships.

• Pictured above: John Gorter and Hamish Ross with co-founder Chad Thompson and CYA Chair Rachel Orr.

A new life for classy White Tie The newest addition to the CYA fleet is White Tie, a 25ft Top Hat yacht launched in 1963 and now owned by CYA Chair, Rachel Orr. She is the modern classic’s third owner.

Designed in the UK by Illingworth and Primrose, White Tie was built by NZ boatbuilder Keith Atkinson for a Brit living here. She is constructed of multi skins of mahogany planking fastened to transverse steam-bent timbers, with fore and aft stringers and GRP sheathing.

Atkinson liked the design so much he built a further six.

White Tie is the first boat Rachel has owned. As a child she messed around in an Optimist called Alligator off Paramatta, but “wasn’t into sailing that much”.

Some 15 years ago, she discovered dragon boating – and, through that involvement, sailing and classic yachts. “I’d be dragon boating on the harbour and see these beautiful old boats going so much faster.”

Rachel has crewed on Waitangi for the past decade.

At first she tried to combine sailing and dragon boating, but there were too many clashes with race times.

Sailing won out.

A big bonus of her involvement with the CYA, she says, has been the opportunity to crew on a range of classic yachts. “I particularly love the freedom of the smaller classics like Little Jim and Kotuku.”

She began to dream of one day getting her own boat – “a smaller classic where you don’t have to rely on other people to go sailing.” She mentioned this to Waitangi skipper Larry Paul, and he introduced her to White Tie, then berthed in the Okahu

A memorable Waihou River expedition

Easter weekend saw a flotilla of 10 CYA launches make their way from the Waitematã Harbour, across

the Firth of Thames and up the Waihou River to Paoroa’s Historical Maritime Park – the site of Aotearoa/New

Bay marina. “She was – and is – perfect,” says Rachel.

Brothers Peter and David Steward were looking for a new owner to cherish White Tie as their brother Don had during his 45 years sailing her up to his recent death.

“We wanted to make sure she went to the right person,” says Peter. “She has been a big part of our family. We have all enjoyed sailing on her. We are very glad she is

in safe hands with the CYA.” White Tie is now berthed in the Milford marina, having her rigging redone and some minor repairs.

Rachel has yet to sail her.

But she is looking forward to many sailing weekends and summer cruising around the Gulf on White Tie once she steps down as Chair of the CYA in August.

• Above: White Tie and Rachel in Milford Marina.

Zealand’s most inland port.

Veteran seaman and life member of the Historical Maritime Park Paeroa Trust, Peter Vandersloot (80 years old) piloted the launches from Kopu to Paeroa on Good Friday. The central swing span of the old Kopu Bridge opened for the occasion and thousands of spectators turned out to admire the parade to Paeroa’s recently reinstated town wharf.

“It was quite surreal cruising up the river with cows running alongside and all those spectators. There were even people gathered in the middle of farmers’ paddocks to watch us,” says Justin Prew, skipper of My Girl (1925), CYA launch

captain and trip organiser.

Timing the trip up the river and back was quite a juggling act, he says, especially with a three-hour tide difference between the river mouth at Kopu and Paeroa. “We had to time things so the tide was high enough not to go aground, but low enough to get under bridges.” Bigger and smaller launches had to leave at different times.

Additional highlights included seeing NZ’s only remaining complete paddle steamer, the Kopu, and other reminders of our maritime history in the museum, and a side-trip on the local launch Ariana up the Ohinemuri River for Devonshire tea at the Paeroa RSA.

CLASSIC YACHT ASSOCIATION CONTACTS – GENERAL ENQUIRIES: Joyce Talbot, admin@classicyacht.org.nz CLUB CAPTAIN YACHTS: Richard Cave, yachtcaptain@classicyacht.org.nz CLUB CAPTAIN LAUNCHES: Jason Prew, launchcaptain@classicyacht.org.nz

60 Breeze Magazine

Marine Scene Scen e Latest

information

on

Products

and

Ser vices

ILIAD multihulls reinforce growth with Sanctuary Cove sales

Major design award announced for Elan E6 The newly launched Elan E6 has won the ‘Best Sailing Yacht Design’ at the 2022 International Yacht and Aviation Awards.

Hosted by leading interior design magazine design et al and aviation design magazine Luxe et al, the Awards reward the best in design from across the globe.

Elan E6 is a 47ft performance cruiser, the lightest and fastest yacht in its segment, and is the current flagship of Elan’s high-performance E Line range.

Elan E6 was created for skilled and demanding sailors who also want a high level of comfort and cruising advantages. The E Line is known for the active chine design, twin rudders and T-shaped keel, but the team at Elan and Humphreys Yacht Design also fine-tuned the new hull design to push the performance in various sailing conditions and all points of sail beyond what would be typically considered feasible for a yacht of this type. www.pinnaclemarine.co.nz

NZ reopens borders to foreign yacht visits The NZ government has announced the next step in New Zealand’s border reopening, with sea and air borders effectively open for visitors and vessels from 1 August.

Yachts, their owners and crew can now enter easily by land and sea, enjoying simple access to New Zealand’s shores, high-quality refit services and world-renowned scenery.

The reopening of New Zealand completes

the traditional South Pacific loop for yachts, with most favouring a journey which takes them through the islands of the Pacificand then on to New Zealand. There, they refit, bunker, provision, explore, charter, and often create a base over several seasons, before heading back into the Pacific and onward on their journeys.

At the recent Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show Multihull Solutions signed contracts for a new ILIAD 50 and ILIAD 62 with a very strong flow of buyers visiting the stand throughout the event.

ILIAD Catamarans continues to be immensely popular since its launch in 2019 with the shipyard’s forward order book filling up as motoryacht enthusiasts recognise the long-range, excellent economy, customisable designs and high quality of construction and finishes afforded by each model.

There was also intense interest in upcoming models, including the ILIAD 53S and ILIAD 74.

The first ILIAD 53S will have its global launch at the 2023 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

Meanwhile, the company will be presenting the Iliad 62 at the 2022 Sydney International Boat Show at Darling Harbour’s Cockle Bay from 28 July – 1 August.

The ILIAD 62 power catamaran has already been recognised by the international marine industry, being nominated as a finalist in the 2022 Multihull of the Year awards.

The ILIAD range includes the ILIAD 50, new ILIAD 53S and ILIAD 62, and the ILIAD 74. The shipyard is also set to announce an exciting new model in the near future. multihullsolutions.com.au

Breeze Magazine 61

ZeroJet awarded Matchstiq Top 100 status for 2022

Beneteau adds a new 44-footer to First line-up The First 44 is another exciting new addition to the First line of cruiser/racers by Beneteau.

This 44ft yacht is the link between the recentlyreleased First 36 and the First Yacht 53.

Performance oriented, with quality equipment and fittings and multiple rig options, the F44 is a yacht that will impress under sail. The powerful, well balanced hull shape, combined with the generous sail plan will deliver satisfaction to those who love the sensation of sailing.

The First 44 comes in two versions, the First 44 and First 44 Performance, satisfying a broad range of wishes and needs. Both versions promise to be fun, fast and efficient to sail in all conditions.

Light and bright, with clean lines, space is accentuated with quality materials that give the yacht a feeling of comfort while retaining the simplicity of a cruiser/ racer.

36degrees.nz

Salt-Away Products appoints Advance Trident as exclusive New Zealand and Australian distributor

Advance Trident Director Blair Geldard displays some of the Salt-Away products following the announcement of exclusive distribution rights in New Zealand and Australia.

ZeroJet’s aim is to remove the need for combustion engines on small boats.

The company kickstarted its dream with its Offshore Cruising Tenders partners, delivering electric jet tenders worldwide. They sold out their first production run and are now taking orders for 2023.

Matchstiq has named ZeroJet as one of the best 100 Kiwi start-ups to work for. This list was created with the help of some of New Zealand’s most prominent start-up investors.

The company is now seeking Kiwi staff. www.zerojet.nz

Advance Trident adds another world-class brand to their product portfolio. Since 1993, Salt-Away has been the number one choice for salt water removal for boats, engines and fishing equipment.

Over that timespan, Salt-Away’s original formula has continued to improve and offers superior protection against corrosion for the Marine and RV Environment.

Non Hazardous and biodegradable, SaltAway is available from all leading marine retailers from late July and early August, and there will be plenty of stock available for the upcoming boating season! www.advancetrident.com

Tough test for paint The world’s largest offshore wind farm is about to become operational off the UK coast, with all 165 of its giant 8MW turbines being protected from the ravages of the North Sea by coatings supplied by AkzoNobel.

The foundations of all the turbines (which tower 204m above sea level) have been coated with Interzone 954 from the company’s International brand.

Interzone 954 has a unique blend of proper ties, including excellent barrier protection, exceptional abrasion resistance and high film build. It’s also resistant to a wide range of chemicals. international-yachtpaint.com

62 Breeze Magazine

SPAR MAKERS

BOAT BUILDERS

YACHTSPARS NZ 1988 LTD • New Masts • Rigging • • Furlers • Repairs • • Maintenance • • Welding • • General Engineering • yachtspars@gmail.com Tel. 09 412 7100 www.yachtspars.co.nz

CERTIFIED KEEL FABRICATION

Specialists in Keels

Lloyds Register Approved welding Maritime NZ Approved construction Fixed or canting keels

NEW BUILDS & REFITS

yachtingdevelopments.co.nz

ned@bowmaster.co.nz 021 623 316

www.bowmaster.co.nz BowmasterKeels.indd 1

DECK TREADS

SECURITY

1/11/18 11:43 AM

CUSTOM DECKING

sales@ultralon.co.nz

0800 114 222 www.udek.com

Photo: Lissa Photography

ANCHORS New Zealand’s leading Safe & Vault specialists.

I

I

I

Bullion Safes Jewellery Safes Cash Safes Modular Vaults & Vault doors

www.safeman.co.nz

Ph: 0800 723 365

Breeze Magazine 63

SHIPPING/FREIGHT

DESIGNERS

Marine Manager: Nigel BlackBlack Marine Manager: Nigel P: +64 9 488 5836 P: +64 9 488 5836 • M: +64 21 909 703 M: +64 21 909 703 E: nigelb@oceanbridge.co.nz E: nigelb@oceanbridge.co.nz

BERTHAGE

Award-winning race yachts • cruising yachts • motoryachts

KEVIN DIBLEY info@dibleymarine.com • +64 27 593 3692 www.dibleymarine.com

SURVEYORS

Paul Stock, Surveyor |

TEAK DECKS

https://wainuimarine.co.nz 021 747 687

UPHOLSTERY

quality products include:

• Teak Deck Caulking • Fairing & Bonding Epoxy • Teak Cleaners & Sealers • Teak Deck Accessories New Zealand owned and committed to service through continuous improvement.

021 220 2125 • tagmarine.co.nz

CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY

yachtingdevelopments.co.nz

64 Breeze Magazine

SAIL MAKERS

3D SCANNING

R

BY SAILORS, FOR SAILORS doylesails.com

320 Rosebank Road, Avondale, Auckland info@doylesails.com

ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS 09 359 5999 sales@nz.northsails.com Unit 3 23B Westhaven Drive, Westhaven

nz.northsails.com

217 Archers Road, Glenfield PO Box 37419 Parnell, Auckland, NZ

SAILS SERVICE COVERS & UPHOLSTERY ONE DESIGN

TITANIUM FABRICATION

BARBECUES

FIRE PROTECTION

Distributing Magma BBQ’s for over 25 yrs

Shop online or in store

w w w. s op ac.co.n z So-Pac Marine 41c William Pickering Dr Albany, Auckland 09 448 5900

Specialising in all Marine Fire Safety Requirements We specialise in hand operated fire protection services and related safety equipment for commercial, marine and domestic use.

Comprehensive range of MNZ and SOLAS/MED approved fire and safety equipment IQP Registered NZQA Qualified Technicians Lloyds Accredited FFPANZ Members Long standing business for over 20 years in the industry

28 Hamer Street, Westhaven, Auckland Phone: 09 357 6767 | Email: office@actron.co.nz

Breeze Magazine 65

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

PROPELLERS

QUALITY MARINE PRODUCTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

2-blade folding propeller 3-blade folding propeller

All types available for both saildrive and shaft installation

4-blade folding propeller

EXPERIENCED, QUALIFIED, PROFESSIONAL

Liferaa Servicing and Certifications Inflatable Boat Servicing and Repairs Lifejacket Servicing and Certifications Immersion & Dry Suit Servicing and Repairs Repair, Re Programming, Servicing and Battery Replacement for ACR EPRIB’s, PLB’s, SART’s and AIS Systems.

28 Hamer Street, Westhaven, Auckland Phone: 09 308 9165 | Email: sales@wilcomarineservices.co.nz

09 448 5900 | info@sopac.co.nz | www.sopac.co.nz

MARINE BOOKS I woke to a scream so terrible that icebergs shattered

Wild Seas to Greenland

By Rebecca Hayter $39.95

Available from Rebecca Hayter: mob 0274 782 478 Email rebecca@rebeccahayter.co.nz Website www.rebeccahayter.co.nz

Directory Advertising $120.00

for

Standard BuSineSS Card

Size

(85

x

The Folding Propeller for Yachts Lowest Drag, Highest Thrust

45)

$600.00

for

Six iSSueS (1 Year)

2 blade 3 blade 4 blade

Contact: Debbie Whiting tel: 09 378 1222 • email inklink@xtra.co.nz

BOAT HAULAGE

Ph 0800 926 627 or 09 358 2050 For more details contact sales@powerequipment.co.nz

VIP.S129

Office: 09 483 8111 – Pete: 0274 731 260 – Luke: 021 686 394

QUALITY MARINE PRODUCTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

AUTOMATIC FEATHERING PROPELLERS • 2, 3, 4 & 5 blade models, pitch adjustable

Email: pete@boathaulage.co.nz

• New props • Anodes • Spare Parts • Reconditioning

09 448 5900 | info@sopac.co.nz | www.sopac.co.nz

66 Breeze Magazine

RNZYS Retail - WINTER WARMER Our essentials for the colder months

KW x RNZYS Navy Rain Jacket $130.50 | Members Price

KW x RNZYS Yellow Rain Jacket $130.50 | Members Price

KW x RNZYS Bright Blue Rain Jacket $130.50 | Members Price

Striped Rugby Jersey $108 | Members Price

RNZYS AS Standard Sand Pant *Navy available $103.50 | Members Price

RNZYS Navy AS Crew Sweat $81 | Members Price

Musto Sailing Gloves $67.50 | Members Price

RNZYS Beanie $34.20 | Members Price

*Individually handmade - subtle variations between products

Available now instore or online www.rnzys.org.nz

Doyle Sails x RNZYS Tote Bag $296.10 | Members Price

Breeze Magazine 67

RE-POWER ^ Matt Watson Fishing legend & Yamaha ambassador

Find out more

UP FOR GRABS: A POWER-MATCHED YAMAHA 4-STROKE OUTBOARD, CONTROLS AND FIT TING!* Post a selfie video of you and your boat and why you want to repower with Yamaha to the YamahaMarineNZ Facebook or Instagram page.

For more details visit: www.yamaha-motor.co.nz/discover/im-repowering-with-yamaha

LIVE

LIFE

LOCAL

/YamahaMarineNZ yamaha-motor.co.nz

*Terms and conditions: Entries must be received between 01/06/22 to 31/07/22. Entrants must post a video of themselves (up to 2 minutes in length) on Facebook or Instagram stating who they are and where they are from, describing their boat (e.g. name, make, likes/dislikes, outboard, hours), explaining why they would like a “Yamaha Re-Power” and must tag @yamahamarinenz and include the hashtag #imrepoweringwithyamaha. Only one submission per entrant will be accepted. The promoter is Yamaha Motor New Zealand Ltd. (NZBN 9429040177113) (“Yamaha”) of 58 Lady Ruby Drive, East Tamaki, Auckland, New Zealand. For an entrant to be eligible to enter and win: the entrant must be: a New Zealand resident, 18 years or older , the owner of the Boat, the owner of a trailer that can safely transport the Boat, the Boat must be registered and in good, sea-worthy condition, the Trailer must be registered and in good, road-ready condition. Yamaha reserves the right to request proof of eligibility from the entrant for the purposes of this competition, including but not limited to inspecting the Boat and Trailer upon providing the entrant with reasonable prior notice. For full details see www.yamaha-motor.co.nz/discover/im-repowering-with-yamaha or scan the QR code link.

68 Breeze Magazine

THE BEST OF THE BAY AND BEYOND Our internationally acclaimed Grand Reserve wines are crafted using selected parcels from the very best vineyards across Hawke’s Bay and Central Otago resulting in wines with structure, flavour and depth.

Try Church Road Grand Reserve at the RNZYS Member’s Bar today ENJOY RESPONSIBLY