Breeze Magazine Oct Nov 2022

Official Publication of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

Cover: RNZYS member Max Klink’s TP52 Caro on the way to winning its division at Hamilton Island Race Week– ‘Salty Dingo’ 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 December – January Issue Editorial - 30 November Advertising booking - 30 November Advertising material due - 7 December Magazine posted - 14 December Layout and Typesetting by Ocean Press Ltd Printed by Soar Communications Group

Registered as a magazine at the GPO, Wellington. ISSN 0113-7360

CONTENTS

From the Commodore 5

From the GM

Cruising Division Report

Sailing Office Report

Sarah is keen to open doors at RNZYS 14

Promoting a more sustainable future 16

Opening Day downpour but no damp spirits

Squadron Coming Events

18

ETNZ flexes its muscles with diverse technology projects 22

Enjoying a commercial role with a good vibe

Prancing across the Central Pacific 28 Party in a good cause

RNZYS wins Trans Tasman battle of the Squadrons

RNZYS burgee returns to the Hamilton Island winners’ circle

Challenging ocean test in 2023 Trans Tasman Race

Celebrating the long service of our senior members

Tony Smith is good as gold

Bernie Nixon: race officer (and baker) extraordinaire

Labour of love linking past and future

RNZYS Members’ Bar is the place to be this summer

Join the club to cure that travel itch

Corbett clinches national title after close duel with Egnot-Johnson

Group of young guns takes on Innismara

Performance Programme Report

Youth Programme Report

Classic Yacht Association Journal

Marine Scene

Directory Ads

FLAG OFFICERS

Commodore Andrew Aitken 027

Vice Commodore Gillian Williams

Rear Commodore Garry Scarborough 021

BREEZE MAGAZINE Editor Ivor Wilkins 021

ivorw@xtra.co.nz

Assistant Editor Debra Douglas 0211 856

chaucer@xtra.co.nz

Advertising Debbie Whiting 09 378

inklink@xtra.co.nz

MANAGEMENT TEAM

General Manager Sarah Wiblin 09 360 6800 Membership Manager Nikki Harkin 09 360 6804 Commercial Manager Kristine Horne 09 360 3905 Sailing Manager

Reuben Corbett 09 630 6809 Events Manager Theresa Murphy 09 360 6834

Members’ Bar Reservations 09 360 6800

RNZYS Office Box 46-182, Herne Bay, Auckland 1147

360

Crafted in 2007 by a master boatbuilder for his own use, this yacht has been maintained to impeccable standards. Fully equipped for cruising in comfort and style, she has accommodation for six in an owner’s stateroom and two double aft cabins.

handled she is a powerful performer of unequalled pedigree.

Well it almost seems like yesterday that I was given the privilege of becoming your Commodore – thank you, I will try to serve you well. Thank you also to now Past Commodore Aaron Young for leading the club through the last period of both celebration and controversy.

Since becoming Commodore, a lot has already happened. We have appointed a new General Manager. Sarah Wiblin started with us from 3 October. Sarah has big shoes to fill (there is more about Sarah further on in this magazine).

We have also honoured long-standing club members and run a number of on- and off-thewater events, including Opening Day.

While Opening Day was not the day we were looking for in terms of weather, for those attending it was a fun day despite the challenges of firing the cannon in the rain.

As well as a new Commodore and a new General Manager, a new Committee was also elected. Aaron Young, Ben Sceats and Amelia Wong left the General Committee, while David Blakey (MRX Harken 1991), Barry Martin (Bizzarre 8247) and Marguerite Delbet (Nomos 8471) all joined the team. Thank you to those who have moved on for all your contributions.

Post Covid there has been quite a change to the team running the club. This continues to be an opportunity to bring new energy and ideas to our programmes. Among the new

appointments is Reuben Corbett who has stepped up from leading our Mastercard Youth Training Programme and the Performance Programme to leading our overall Sailing Programme and of course the team in the Sailing Office. Food & Beverage Operations Manager Cameron Lawless, Executive Chef Campbell White and Commercial Manager Kristine Horne are all also reasonably new to our leadership team.

Our food & beverage offering is strong, although, like all the hospitality industry in New Zealand, we are somewhat stressed due to the lack of skilled people and the rising costs of raw materials.

Our challenge is to build the usage of the club facilities, particularly by members. To do this we need money. To make money, we need the club facilities to be used (and sadly maybe a few price reviews). Food & beverage is a key revenue stream for the club. Currently we are running well behind where we need to be in terms of volumes and margin – please look for opportunities to use your club.

One of the great things about our club is that we can offer roles to members of our Youth Programme. Working food & beverage in our club is a great way for these talented young people to learn and grow. Of course, when yacht racing or sail training is on (or school/university exams) this team is a little scarce. Please look out for these great young people – they are our future.

As the incoming Commodore, I have been asked quite a number of times, what do I see the club doing over the years ahead, particularly over the time that I am Commodore? For me, the club is about the members, the sailors, the volunteers and particularly those many members that form the community that is our club, especially those who have a strong interest in Corinthian yachting, the Hauraki Gulf and the development of our sport.

While we have great plans for the club

and strong sailing and volunteer programmes, having members spending time at the club with friends and family is key to our succeeding for at least another 150 years.

We are continuing to look for opportunities to encourage members to come to the club and have fun – right now Mike Leyland, our recently appointed Chairman of the House and Membership is looking for fun ideas that we can build on.

One of the great things about summer though is the number of opportunities available for members to go sailing. The sprint racing on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays has just begun, the Doyle Sails Wednesday Night racing is kicking-off, while 36° Brokers Commodores’ Cup, Gold Cup, and Havana Club Rum Racing are all in the schedule.

One of the best kept secrets of RNZYS is the PIC Insurance Cruising Division. This is the opportunity for yacht owners to complete a casual race, finish at a beach-side location and join other club members for a quiet beverage and much conversation. Launch owners are also encouraged to attend.

Over recent years the competition amongst some of the larger boats in the Cruising Division has become quite intense. This year there will be a second division for smaller boats – please come along and enjoy.

There are some great parties planned in the year ahead, a new menu, a few changes to the way we do things and some fabulous club sailing. There are also a small number of local, national and international events running right off the club. Please come and be part of your club.

Looking forward to seeing many of you on the water, around our Westhaven club-rooms and at our Kawau base.

Talk soon.

with the

for two handed racing but

competitive fully crewed.

successful performer.

RNI. Be in for this Race,

open first of May.

for last RNI in 2020.

since.

FROM THE General Manager

I am incredibly excited to be here as General Manager of the RNZYS – with all our traditions, the variety of events both on and off the water, and some amazing people amongst our membership, volunteers, committees and staff.

It has been an absolute privilege to meet many more of you in recent weeks and hear your experience and knowledge of the club over many years and your great suggestions on how we can continue to improve and grow. The future is exciting and we have a lot to look forward to.

We have just launched the highly anticipated new menu from Executive Chef Campbell White. There is an exciting variety of new offerings such as the Torched King Salmon, or the Heirloom Tomato Spaghetti, alongside your traditional favorites like the Farmers Platter. We are continually working to grow and expand our food and beverage offering in the Members’ Bar – make sure you book a table with family or friends to try it for yourself soon!

As we head into the busy Christmas period, we encourage all members to utilize the amazing facilities we have to host Christmas functions – whether that be for extended family catch ups, social gatherings with friends, your work group functions and so on. You might consider also making a referral for other clubs/associations you belong to. We have a wide variety of spaces that can work for any group, and our events team is on hand to help

you make these events special.

Our on-water programme is now in full swing with something happening most days of the week. Amongst our biggest series now underway are the Doyle Sails Wednesday Night racing, Havana Club Rum Racing on Fridays, and the PIC Insurance Brokers Cruising Series starting 29th October.

Early November we look forward to hosting the New Zealand Women’s Match Racing

Championship, as the final qualifying event before the Barfoot & Thompson Women’s World Match Racing Championship held here at the RNZYS from 9-13 November.

I look forward to meeting all members around the club or on the water – please make sure to say hello and keep an eye out for us on our yacht Legacy III

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

Sarah Wiblin

The RNZYS – primed and ready for summer action on and off the water.

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Cruising Dinner revels to tales of adventure in the Deep South

Yippee, it’s cruising time again and we’re excited to see our friends and their boats after the disruptions and upheavals of the muchlamented Covid-19 era.

In September, the PIC Cruising Dinner was held at the Quarterdeck Restaurant to launch the start of the 2022/23 cruising season. Participants enjoyed dinner and entertaining story-telling by Tony Whiting (sometimes ably assisted by Penny!) of his sailing journey to Southland.

Tony’s theme was that preparation is key for maximum enjoyment, especially in those latitudes, and having good systems available for the unexpected. Family came and went,

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

but one of the main takeaways was to garner information by chatting to the locals, whose knowledge is invaluable where electronic means is not reliable.

However, the rewards of fabulous wildlife on and off the water, great fishing, and stunning nature at her best along with a kind weather pattern brought much joy. Tony generously offered his support to anyone contemplating a similar voyage.

• Our first event of the PIC Cruising Series is nearly here so enter online via Topyacht or at Reception for the series of six: 2022 – October 29; November 12; December 3 – PIC Sundowner Beach Cruise.

2023 – February 18; March 18; April 1; April 7 – Colin Forbes Easter Rally.

Remember to bring your reusable drinking vessel, a bucket for a beach clean (prizes with thanks to Ecostore) and your best smile to the shore afterwards, where we’ll share stories and a BBQ, with thanks to PIC Insurance Brokers

By Sheryl Lanigan

• Your Cruising Committee Contacts: Mike Malcolm, Sheryl Lanigan, Murray Deeble, Ross McKee, Matt Cole.

Boat World Revolution

Above: Cruising Division members pay rapt attention to tales and advice about cruising to Stewart Island, Fiordland and the Deep South. Left: Sister Act ... Penny Whiting, who was also in southern waters last summer, adds her perspective.

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From the Sailing Office

We have replaced our Training Manager with Coach Zak Merton, who will be in charge of coaching the Mastercard Youth Training Programme, Performance Programme and assisting with Race Crew Training and Learnto-Sail. Welcome to the team Zak.

Megan Thomson will be out of the office for two weeks as she competes in the 470 World Championships with Paul Snow-Hansen in Israel. We wish her all the best! Fortunately, Brooke Adamson will be on board during this time to assist Dave with all the club racing.

Peter Linford recently ran a mark-laying course for those wanting to learn the art of accurate course setting. This was well attended for our first go at it and we will look to improve this course moving forward as well. Peter is also our Boat Driver Trainer, so if you are not yet signed off to drive Te Kouma, Pembles Bay, Tiri or a RIB, please reach out to set up a suitable time. We are always on the look-out for boat drivers with the ability to lay marks.

Barfoot & Thompson Learn-to-Sail is about to kick into full swing with some new offerings in the wings. Peter has done a tremendous job growing our Learn-to-Sail Level 1, 2, 3 and Race Crew Training, putting over 400 students through per year. He is in the process of getting all the course material put into a user-friendly online learning portal to further our growth in this area.

Giles Jordan and Geoff Dawson have their work cut out maintaining two foiling Phantoms, two Sonars, an Etchell, five RIBs, three Committee Boats and 10 Elliott 7s. The Elliott 7s are getting tired after 13 years without a major refit, but Giles and Geoff are pulling out all the stops to keep them running.

Geoff is also working behind the scenes

to put together a potential refit project on the 7s, which have proven to be a fantastic class for the club. They are heavily used with the Mastercard Youth Training Programme, Performance Programme, all match racing events, Barfoot & Thompson Learn to Sail, E7 Sprint nights, Harken Secondary School Nationals, Mastercard Kawau Training Weeks plus additional weeknight and member use.

We hosted a First Aid refresher course here on October 2 run by St John for 20 club volunteers.

St John run a great course and brought everyone up to speed on current First Aid best practice.

We also put on a Race Management dinner as a very small token of thanks for all our wonderful people who donate their time, expertise and good humour in making this club deliver outstanding experiences.

Congratulations must go to Ross Chapman for winning the Monty Singleton award for 2022 for the significant time he has spent out on the water in his capacity as a Race Officer.

We also held a very successful volunteer recruitment morning tea so you will see some new faces around in the forthcoming series.

As most of you will be aware, the start tower and ODM have now been moved to their new locations for the foreseeable future. The tower has been moved to the far eastern end of the car park and the ODM an equivalent distance east as well. This should provide more room for boats starting and finishing in our larger events.

The summer sailing season is upon us so I encourage you all if you haven’t already to get out and get amongst it.

Reuben Corbett, Sailing Manager

RNZYS TRAVEL CLUB

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Monty Singleton Award-winner Ross Chapman and Megan Kensington.

ELITE 14.6m MOTOR YACHT TE WHARA IV

Sarah is keen to open doors at RNZYS

Story & picture by Debra Douglas

The Squadron’s new General Manager, Sarah Wiblin, is determined to tear down some walls. Not a fan of ‘boxed’ work spaces, Sarah would like to introduce a more open floor look to the club’s offices. “In the modern working place, open plan is very powerful, enabling your teams to work closer and more collaboratively,” said Sarah. “I have suggested there may be a sledgehammer going though some walls and doors here, to enable us to work on that collaborative approach.”

Sarah joined the Squadron early in October after almost 11 years with Carter Holt Harvey in sales and marketing managerial roles. Before that she was a marketing and brand manager with BP.

“I think the joys of both of those organisations was that I stepped through multiple roles really quickly. Apart from my most recent position at Carter Holt Harvey, most of my roles were for two years or less. I had a lot of development opportunities.

“When it comes to my previous experience with event management, sponsorship relations and sales and marketing, there is a lot of overlap with what I will be doing here, despite it being a totally different organisation.

“I think the skills that I have, that have come from my background, can be taken to the next

level here at the club. And in the sailing space, I have had my toe in the water running events and looking after social media on a voluntary basis for the Short Handed Sailing Association NZ.”

Sarah has been around cruising and competitive sailing all her life. Her first experience of sailing was as a three-yearold strapped into her car seat and wedged between the centre board case and saloon on board her parents’ Farr 6000 trailer yacht as they raced on Lyttleton Harbour. This led onto a childhood filled with Opti, P-Class, Starling and Sunburst sailing and teenage years on a series of keelers.

Sarah and her husband Ryan, who she met during a Squadron Wednesday Night series, now own the Young 11, Legacy 111

Sarah: “What appealed to me about this position is that I am passionate about being out on the water. To get out of bed and have the opportunity to do something that you are passionate about is exciting. And because I have been around sailing all my life, I am seeing familiar faces, I know their backgrounds.”

Interviewed just days into the job Sarah was, however, worried about recalling members’ names.

“Until I settle in, I hope I don’t get too confused when meeting members and remembering names. So far I have met some of the Cobbies, the Ladies’ Morning Tea Group

and the R.O.Y.A.L.S, who meet for a curry.

“My favourite time was the Pin Presentation; meeting those members who have been part of this organisation for 70 years and more. They have such fascinating stories and are such lovely people. One gentleman, at 96-years-old, comes into the club once a fortnight! It just reflects what a special place this is.”

Sarah has a long to-do list. High on her priorities is for the club to deliver a great summer sailing and cruising programme and exciting on-shore member events.

“There are so many things we do here that keep the place humming, a lot of which go under the radar. It blows me away knowing what we do with a small team. I am also keen to get staff members who have never taken part in a yacht race out sailing in a Havana Club Rum Race. Joining us sailing for an hour could help them understand the passion of our members and understand what the place is all about.

“I enjoy the competitive side of sailing, but I truly love cruising. My favourite destination would have to be the Barrier. Before our son Sam, now 19 months, was born, we spent time there in the summer. The landscape reminds me of my home in the Marlborough Sounds and my teenage years in Picton.

“In the meantime, I am incredibly excited to be here. It is a massive honour. This job was meant to be.“

Promoting a more sustainable future

By Ivor Wilkins

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron’s tree-planting programme at Kawau Island has been selected for a new project whereby companies and individuals can buy carbon credits to offset their emissions.

The New Zealand-based system is called Carbon Click and sets out to combat climate change and promote a sustainable future through a web-based application (carbonclick. com) that allows companies and individuals to calculate their level of carbon emissions and purchase offsets to ameliorate their impact.

“We are in a climate emergency,” said Carbon Click founder Dave Rouse at a function at the RNZYS to promote sustainable practice. “The science is crystal clear. If we do not take action, we will face enormous social and economic consequences.

“Good projects like native reforestation have amazing social benefits, biodiversity benefits and create climate resilience into the future,” said Rouse.

Carbon offsets can be purchased by supporting selected certified projects, one of which is native tree-planting at Kawau, which is one of the legacy items that formed part of the Squadron’s 150th Anniversary programme.

“So far, $100,000 has been invested in that project and we are working to grow that,”

General Committee member Sheryl Lanigan told the meeting the club had made a lot of progress with sustainable practices over the past five years. “At Kawau, more than 8,000 trees have been planted so far and there is more to come,” she said.

Michelle Henderson also reported that big strides had been made in making Squadron events and regattas sustainable. “Our baseline now for every regatta is gold standard,” she said. Later this year, the Women’s World Match Race Championships was aiming to lift its practices to achieve platinum status for the first time.”

Emirates Team New Zealand Operations Manager Nick Burridge also addressed the meeting about the revolutionary new hydrogen-powered foiling chase boats the team has produced.

“The boat has generated huge global media attention, demonstrating what can be achieved with hydrogen technology,” he said.

The technology of foiling yachts had moved a long way past the technology of the support boats trying to keep up with them, he added, leading to huge consumption of fossil fuel and carbon emission.

ETNZ had undertaken to redress this imbalance by promoting carbon emissionfree technology on a world stage at one of the world’s largest sporting events. Every team competing at the America’s Cup would be required to use hydrogen-powered foiling chase boats capable of a top speed of 50 knots

and running for at least four hours at 30 knots without refueling.

“This is going to be a catalyst to change the mindset away from the idea that in order

to go faster, you have to add more fossil fuel burning horsepower,” he said. It would also help promote hydrogen industry for wider land based commercial operation, Burridge added.

The Kawau tree-planting project is earning income through carbon offsetting – Cooper Hopman photo.

The zero carbon ETNZ hydrogen chase boat has generated global media interest.

Opening Day Downpour but no damp spirits ...

Despite pouring rain, it all went off with a bang on October 1, when Commodore Andrew Aitken defeated the damp by using a blowtorch to fire the Squadron’s cannon to mark the traditional start of the club’s summer sailing season. Squally spring weather, however, caused the Opening Day sailing to be cancelled, so all the fun went indoors.

1/ For children from the early childhood educator Sparkling Minds, Opening Day was an opportunity to get up close to a cannon and Cannon Master, Gerald Flynn, who celebrated his 20th year in the role.

2/ Time for a picnic for this trio. From left, Thomas Armstrong (1), Michelle Armstrong (3) and Sam Reilly (4).

3/ Bowen Horne had fun doing a dry run on a NZ Water Bike.

4/ Steve Wilson and Caroline Jack check out the range at Musto/Bollé’s One Day Squadron Sale.

5/ Junior guests were entertained by the boisterous challenge of a bouncy castle.

6/ Jake Wu keeps on top of his fitness regime with a workout on a grinding machine.

7/ Pretty as a picture, Eleanor Wylie receives a make-over from face painter Olivia Daw.

8/ Time to sit very still. Archie Gallagher comes face to face with decorator Olivia Daw.

9/ Membership Manager Nikki Harkin and Membership Services

Coordinator Faye Hallet fielded questions about Squadron membership and members’ activities. There was no joining fee for those who joined the Squadron on the day.

Photo left by Billy Woodworth

Photos right by Debra Douglas

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ETNZ flexes its with diverse technology

By Ivor Wilkins

The breadth and diversity of projects undertaken by Emirates Team New Zealand following its successful America’s Cup defence 18 months ago has been graphically demonstrated in recent weeks, underscoring its capability as an advanced technology company.

Within two days of unwrapping the world’s first AC40 foiling monohull from China, the team was out on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour conducting tow-tests at 25-30 knots behind its recently-

unveiled prototype hydrogen-powered foiling chase boat.

Meanwhile, across in South Australia, a small group was assembling the team’s landyacht in preparation for a world landspeed record attempt on the desert saltflats of Lake Gairdner.

That’s three totally different and highly complex projects, embracing a variety of challenges and technologies all designed from scratch and brought to completion in an extremely tight timeframe.

In addition, there has been the task of writing a new rule for the AC40 as well as revising the AC75 Rule for the 37th America’s Cup, not

muscles projects

to mention progressing the design of a new generation AC75 for the Barcelona regatta in 2024.

“We’ve had a lot on,” concedes ETNZ design chief Dan Bernasconi. “We are now emerging from all those projects and finally back into full AC75 mode. We probably have a bit of catching up to do, because the other teams have been able to fully focus on their AC75 ever since the last Cup, but we are really excited to be pushing ahead with that now.”

Factor in the upheaval of a complete shift of the design, sailing and operations group from the city-owned premises they have occupied since winning the 2017 Cup to the base vacated by Ineos GBR Challenge after the 2021 regatta and “a lot on” hardly seems to cover it.

The AC40 will be used by all the America’s Cup teams as a training and development tool as well as competing in various World Series regattas in the run-up to 2024. Out of competition, AC teams can test experimental foils and sails, but in competition strict one-design rules will apply.

In addition, the AC40 fleet will be used for the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup events during the Barcelona regatta. There are also moves afoot to open the class to private owners to set up a unique foiling monohull race circuit independent of the America’s Cup.

Despite its multipurpose brief, Bernasconi says there was no holding back in terms of design. “It is a no-holds-barred racing machine. We are putting everything out there with the best foiling 40-footer we could produce in terms of hull shape, foils, sails and control systems.

“It has been difficult for the designers to know that we are giving away some of our best work, which is obviously a big culture change – very different from what we are used to,” he adds. “At the same time, it is cool that we can design something that more people are going to use and see the benefit of.”

ETNZ Operations Manager Nick Burridge noted that some of the teams had expressed surprise at how much Intellectual Property the

Defender has given away. “One comment was that we had given them everything including the kitchen sink,” he says. “I replied that by the time the Cup comes around, the kitchen would have gone through a pretty major renovation!”

“It will definitely have to,” Bernasconi agrees. “We know the competition is probably going to be stronger than last time and the other teams will make significant steps forward in development from the boats they raced in AC36. We will have to do exactly the same.”

To improve early lift-off and light air foiling, the revised AC75 rule has reduced weight, opened up the hydraulic rules and increased the wingspan of the main foil. “That span change seems relatively modest, but it is pretty significant in terms of the material strength and stiffness limits,” says Bernasconi.

“The AC40 is a scaled version of the new

rule. The foil wingspan is exactly scaled to the new rule, but the overall mass is slightly heavier. Basically, it becomes impossible to fully scale the mass, because people don’t shrink and some components cannot be scaled.”

The smooth, flowing lines of the hull reflect hydrodynamic effort to promote early liftoff, combined with considerable aerodynamic refinement to reduce drag in flight; the package represents a distinct advance on what was on show in the AC75 class of 2021.

Given that the AC40 represents a third generation of the foiling monohull concept, how would it fare in competition with a first generation AC75? “I think it would be pretty competitive,” Bernasconi replies. “I would still put my money on the AC75, purely from the size of the boat, but the AC40 would not be very far behind.”

The AC40 fleet is being built to an extremely high standard by McConaghy in China, which says the project represents “next level” design, composite engineering and systems complexity. “It is a small package, but the package is complex,” says Group Director Mark Evans.

Once the first boat was unwrapped in Auckland, the hull was immediately subjected to rigorous structural testing, which involved loads close to 20 tons and dry-sail system checks amounting to 100 tacks and gybes.

On Day Two, the hull was subjected to extensive in-water tests towed by the hydrogen foiling chase boat. With everything ticked off, the Southern Spars mast was stepped, rigged and checked and on Day Three, the North Sails were hoisted aloft and the boat put through its sailing paces.

With Peter Burling and Blair Tuke in Europe

The smooth, flowing lines of the hull reflect hydrodynamic effort to promote early lift-off, combined with considerable aerodynamic refinement to reduce drag in flight

competing in SailGP, the initial sailing trial involved Nathan Outteridge and Olympic Laser sailor Sam Meech helming, with Ray Davies and Nick Burridge trimming.

“I was absolutely blown away by the boat’s performance and how everything worked straight out of the box,” says Davies. “We had absolutely no issues the first couple of days. It ticked all the boxes. It is everything we wanted it to be. We are very confident the AC40 will become a class in its own right and will be fit for purpose for the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup contests, as well as for a private owner-driver class.”

Its first outing was in light to moderate conditions. Within 15 minutes of hoisting the sails for the first time, the boat was foiling upwind at 29-31 knots. During that debut session it executed five foiling tacks, 11 foiling gybes and reached a top speed of 36 knots.

The polars indicate a top speed of 44 knots in 20 knots of true windspeed, with an upwind speed of 39 knots. “I don’t think we will breach the 50 knot barrier with this boat, but it might get pretty close,” says Bernasconi.

A couple of days later, Burling and Tuke gave it a thorough examination in slightly more breeze and gave the automatic flight control system a full workout including several slants across a car ferry wake to simulate wave response. The flight control system is identical to the one used on the hydrogen chase boat with a bit of software tuning for sailing.

The four crew are situated two-up in identical port and starboard cockpits, one behind the other with the helmsman in front and trimmer behind. They remain in their respective bucket seats throughout, with no cross-overs during tacks and gybes.

“Even with the automatic flight control, it is still very active for the crew,” says Davies. “There is enough to do to keep tuning and playing with controls to keep everybody busy. A lot of communication is required to co-ordinate the manoeuvres and get the best performance.”

Typically, the windward helmsman steers and the windward trimmer controls the twinmembrane mainsail. During a tack or gybe, the windward helmsman drops his foil arm into the water, while the trimmer pushes a button to rotate the mast and invert the aero package. The jib is self-tacking.

Once the manoeuvre is complete, the new windward helmsman lifts his foil, while

the windward trimmer takes control of the mainsail and the new leeward trimmer takes over the jib.

For the helmsman, the dynamic control inputs are the wheel steering, activating the foil arm, adjusting the automatic ride height in 100mm increments and trimming the rudder rake to alter the pitch. The normal sailing attitude is about 2° bow down, but during hard bear-aways, or where there is any risk of the rudder breaking free, the pitch can be altered to sink the stern and increase rudder immersion.

In flat water, ride height would be set as close to the surface as possible, lifting higher to avoid splash down in waves.

For the trimmers, the main sheet controls forestay tension (there are no running backstays), so the principal trim input is with the traveller. The mainsail trimmer also controls the mast rotation, the outhaul and Cunningham. The jib trimmer controls the jib sheet, Cunningham and track position. All the controls are push-button hydraulic, with the system driven by electric pumps.

With just four crew, there are plenty of speed-generating inputs to test the sailing skills, tactical intelligence and teamwork of crews, while taking physical size and strength out of the equation. This makes the AC40 ideal for women and youth teams, and also for efficient America’s Cup training and testing purposes.

For private owner-drivers, the class also offers a unique opportunity to race a sophisticated, state-of-the-art foiling monohull, supported by just three professional crew. Interest in this concept, with technical backing from McConaghy and ETNZ, is said to be high, with a number of prospective owners watching the trials with close interest.

Given the constant pressure on costreduction in the America’s Cup, could this push-button sailing approach point to a future direction for the Auld Mug itself?

Hopefully not. Under current AC75 rules, four grinders will power the hydraulic control systems and Ray Davies reckons that is how it should be.

“Of course we could use battery power, but the America’s Cup needs to be a real physical contest as well,” he insists. “To keep it as a sporting event at the highest level, human athleticism is a really important element.”

Enjoying a commercial role with a good vibe

Story & picture Debra Douglas

The Squadron’s new Commercial Manager, Kristine Horne, describes the club as energetic with a great community feeling; a place where she is enjoying the vibe.

“There’s a lot happening here. It’s a busy place. I was excited to see this job advertised. There are not many roles like mine, the attraction being the people. In other corporates you don’t ‘find’ your people the same way you do here. People involved in sailing have so much in common. It is easy to do business, it is easy to spend the day with like-minded people.”

Kristine, who has a degree in Sport and Fitness Leadership, arrived in New Zealand from Victoria, Canada, early in 2007 on an academic exchange, coming to UNITEC for one semester.

“I was seriously into sailing before that with the Canadian youth dinghy team, so I was looking at living in a big sailing city. The options were somewhere in the UK, Melbourne or here. Auckland was my top choice and I got in. Vancouver and Auckland are very similar in terms of seaside and mountains. It feels like home.”

Kristine met her husband, Cameron Horne, when they were on the same team for the 2007 Coastal Classic and the couple now have two boys, Jaxon (7) and Bowen (5).

Kristine volunteered with Sailability Auckland during her time at UNITEC, providing opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to experience sailing, then joined Yachting New Zealand as the School’s and then Disabled Sailors’ Programmes Manager.

“In 2012, she travelled as press attaché with the NZ Olympic Team to the London Games. During the eight years she was with Yachting New Zealand, the organisation’s sponsorships increased and Kristine’s responsibilities became

more commercial, with a focus on marketing and communications.

Since then, Kristine’s roles have all involved marketing and sponsorship. This has included Marketing Manager of the consultancy company HT Group, overseeing marketing and communications for The Travel Corporation, Media and Communications Manager for the PIC Coastal Classic and short-term marketing and event management contracts for the marine industry.

The biggest event on Kristine’s schedule for the rest of this year is organising the Squadron’s Corporate Regatta on November 3. It’s the club’s biggest fund-raising opportunity for its International Sailing Fund and the Kawau Tree Planting Reforestation Project and the goal is to raise more than $100,000 on the day.

Kristine: “I am working with our entire network, not just our sponsors and partners.

There are so many members who want to make a difference and ensure the event is successful.

“I’m also looking at alternative sources of income for the Club beyond sponsorship, for example, the work that can be done with the legacy programme and donations. It is going to take time to get to know everyone, but over time I will get to know more people and they will get to know each other and partnerships will eventuate.”

Kristine is enjoying being back on the water: “Until I had my children, I was sailing in the Ladies’ Tuesday series. But I will be back again this season. I was also really pleased to be invited on Mike Leyland’s War Machine for the last two Winter Series races.

“Cameron and I had an opportunity last year to either put in a pool or buy a boat. Pool or boat? The pool won, for now …”

Kristine Horne, RNZYS Commercial Manager.

PLAIN SAILING

Prancing across the Central Pacific

By General Committee member Sheryl Lanigan

How could we possibly turn down an offer to help sail a catamaran yacht across the central Pacific from Panama to French Polynesia with a school friend of my husband Mike?

Geoff Thorpe, RNZYS member of more than 40 years, left Auckland 11 years ago on his newly-built Grainger 49 cat, which was owned in partnership with three couples. A combination of the wives’ names created Salanjo (Sally, Anne and Jo). Mike was on board to help crew the first leg to Fiji and Vanuatu as their big journey began.

Fast forward to 2022, and Salanjo was “resting” on the hard in Cartagena due to world travel being closed down from Covid-19. Geoff managed a massive workload to recommission the yacht and enjoyed a shakedown cruise in the Caribbean with family.

Cruising has a destination but not always a time of arrival, so we were fortunate to rendezvous with the yacht at Linton Bay on the Caribbean side of Panama. We were amazed at the beauty and history of the San Blas Islands off the northern coast where picture postcard beaches with palm trees enhanced our view.

This meant we had the unexpected experience of transiting the Panama Canal rafted up with another sailing catamaran and a monohull. The series of three locks lifted the vessels (behind a freighter) from sea level to 26m (85’) elevation at Gatun Lake. An amazing feat of engineering built over 100 years ago, it works solely by rainfall which drains through the locks via gravity to the sea on either side.

As we were the middle yacht, we could relax and take photos, while the other crews had to concentrate on line handling when the water lifted us up.

It takes 150 people to assist each ship through, taking 8-10 hours, but as we didn’t have the speed to keep up with our freighter across the lake, we got to stop for the night, securely attached to a big channel marker-type buoy. And yes, it sure did rain – so no shortage of water to keep the locks operating.

Each vessel was required to have a pilot onboard to ensure there were no hiccups, which potentially might upset the flow of traffic as this is

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Top: Salanjo is sandwiched between two other yachts in one of the Panama Canal Locks. Above: Nervous times as a large freighter squeezes into a lock close astern of Salanjo.

Just as the brochure promised ... happy hour at sunset and romping along in the Pacific tradewinds.

Panama’s main source of income. They were friendly and knowledgeable, but firmly “in charge”.

It took five hours to motor across Gatun Lake – the biggest manmade lake in the world. We saw crocodiles alongside bright green rainforest and later were accompanied by swallows wanting a free ride.

We passed through the Gaillard Cut, which was cut out of the Continental Divide in steps to connect the Atlantic with the Pacific and was recently widened to allow the passage of the modern Panamax ships. On the downward lock side we were in front of the freighter and really appreciated the control the “trains” had on either side. I never want to be that close to the bow of a freighter ever again.

SOLD

After a few days at Panama City, four of us departed for Les Perlas Islas centred in the Panama Gulf where the effect of Covid was very obvious at the empty holiday resorts and very few boats were visiting. From there, we continued down the Colombian coast towards Ecuador amidst frequent squalls, aiming for Bahia de Caraquez for discounted fuel.

We had to be extremely alert on watch with a busy shipping lane, lots of fishing boats and huge floating logs. First a length of bamboo wedged itself between the propellor and the hull, then we hit a log squarely on the bow, but fortunately no water ingress was found.

Closer to the entrance, the fishing boats were mostly unlit, and we managed to snag a line creating a verbal reaction and much arm waving.

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As the entrance was a river mouth, we couldn’t clearly see a way through the breaking waves, so opted to wait for a guide.

Once safely in sheltered water, the bruised bow could be assessed, resulting in a necessary repair before crossing the Pacific. With trepidation, Geoff trusted the friendly locals to beach his yacht on the centre bank and do the job between tides.

The fuel arrived in 20 litre cans to be handtransferred into the tanks. Three days later, we were back at sea and re-adjusting to our triedand-true watch system, heading west towards the Archipelago of Galapagos.

Conditions were perfect for a quick swim on the Equator in delicious 30°C water that was 3,000m deep. Thank goodness for the rope trailing behind as the ocean, while looking calm, is always moving and you gain a vivid reality check of how you would not want to be MOB. The bright tropical colours of Panama and Ecuador were replaced with wall to wall blue as we feasted on platters of tropical fruit.

Visiting the Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, meant lots of paperwork and eco preparation, plus additional Covid sanitary requirements. Eleven officials came on board to check us in to Wreck Bay, San Cristobel, including an army bloke in full regalia wearing his big steel toe-capped boots to check our safety equipment!

Finally desposited ashore by water taxi, we enjoyed seeing many seals on the beach, in the water and on the waterfront walkways. The rocks were also home to big red crabs and some black sea iguanas.

Our visit to the Tortoise Hatchery was a highlight. It is believed the 11 tortoise species found across the Galapagos Islands evolved from one common ancestor thousands of years ago, each adapting to slightly different landscapes.

Cruising yachts are restricted to three main islands and visitors are encouraged to join an organised group along with other tourists to protect the sea and land environments. Sadly, we could see many of these were closed down and the remaining few were vying for participants. Lots of history and learning about Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution was enlightening – who knew tortoises eat cactus? Their most famous bird – the blue footed booby created many humorous souvenir T-shirts.

After visiting the other two islands and many

tortoises, pelicans, and seals later, we headed off back into the Big Blue enroute to French Polynesia. The 17.5 day passage was remarkable for its sun and moon rises and settings, rain squalls (usually at night), starry nights, squid and flying fish on deck in the morning, afternoon tea and cake, happy hour, and episodes of regular maintenance when conditions allowed.

We hoisted the spinnaker long enough to enjoy the extra speed, then bang, it was down and trailing behind. The stainless fitting at the top supporting the retrieval hoop and sock had rusted through, so Mike had to be hoisted to the spreaders to untangle it and bring it down. Thank you to the autohelm for keeping us on track while all hands concentrated on the task on a continually moving platform.

No matter how long your passage, it’s always a celebration to see land on the horizon. As we approached the capital of Marquesas,

Niku Hiva, in the early hours, the excitement was palpable and of course marked with a bucks fizz once the anchor was successfully down in Baie de Taiohae.

Quite a different landscape being a volcanic island with high basalt peaks formed two million years ago. The check-in ashore at the gendarmerie was easily the most pleasant and efficient, completed with a wide Marquesan grin from a muscley young policeman.

All too soon it was time for us to fly to Tahiti, where we were able to redeem a Covid-delayed five-day passage by cruise-ship back to the Marquesas via the Tuamotus, before our return flight to New Zealand.

The flight home provided plenty of time to ponder our 4,500nm, 47-day, once-in-alifetime opportunity with old and new friends on Salanjo

Carpe diem!

Keeping fast company with one of the famous Galapagos tortoises.

Party in a good cause

Don’t miss seeing The Salty Dogs band of America’s Cup sailors featuring lead singer Tony Rae, who will perform to support their former NZL32 sailing mate Rick Dodson at the RNZYS on 29 October.

Dodson wants to share the story of his sailing career and how multiple sclerosis has affected his life. His sailing friends have commissioned Rebecca Hayter to write the book.

Join the party with the Salty Dogs at the Dinghy Locker, RNZYS at 7pm. Tickets $100 each, to support Rick’s book. Order tickets and your free copy of Rick Dodson’s book. at www.rebeccahayter.co.nz.

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RNZYS wins Trans-Tasman Battle of the Squadrons

The Cavalier Cup was established in 1974 for reasons some would say were similar to that other famous trophy that promotes “friendly competition among nations”. The competing Flag Officers and General Committees of the Royal New Zealand and Royal Sydney Yacht Squadrons would beg to differ, comparing it to any other major Aussie vs Kiwi sporting competitions – in other words, fiercely contested.

This year was no different with the series going right to the wire with the points all tied up after the twelfth race. Normally a tie can be broken by counting back the number of first places, but this event required a

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RSYS Commodore Christian Brook (left) presents the trophy to RNZYS Commodore Aaron Young on the terrace of the Sydney club.

count back all the way to fourth places before the RNZYS could finally be declared winners.

The previous event was in Auckland in 2019, with the home team coming to the fore. Covid did its thing and caused the cancellation of 2020 and 2021 events. The lengthy hiatus had driven up the anticipation amongst the RNZYS team and we headed across the Tasman with a strong will to win the more challenging away game.

The talented and experienced (i.e. mature) team gathered their air points, Covid certificates, and face masks and headed to Sydney on the public holiday Friday of Matariki. Leader and head strategist Commodore Aaron Young was accompanied by Vice Commodore Andrew Aitken, Chairman of the House Garry Scarborough and General Committee members Ben Sceats, Mike Malcolm and Mike Leyland.

The races were to be held just off the RSYS club at Kirribilli in Sydney in six Elliott 7s. The sailing instructions called for six races a day, 12 for the series. The light airs forecast came to fruition with both days dawning fine, light and clear with a breeze between one to seven knots.

When the Aussies come to Auckland, they have to contend with a lot of tide on the Waitemata Harbour waters off Westhaven. In our case, Sydney challenged us with persistent and not so persistent shifts as the breeze flipped and flopped sides around the Kirribilli headlands. Local knowledge and gamesmanship provide home side advantage in both venues.

The serious business of the sailing competition is supplemented with a welcome dinner, and formal and informal discussions about the issues, and opportunities both clubs face and including a strategy sharing workshop on the Saturday afternoon. We took away some useful ideas and actions on membership strategy and an opportunity to jointly improve technology by working more closely and sharing information on club systems upgrades.

A great fun weekend all round, capped off with a rare away victory

by the RNZYS. Following the 2019 result, the overall tally for the closelyfought contest now has the RNZYS two-up – but who’s counting?

Special thanks to RSYS Commodore Christian Brook and the RSYS team for being such great hosts, and fierce but fair competitors. The return match is planned for Auckland in March 2023.

By Mike Leyland, Chairman of the House

Top: Members of the victorious crew (L-R) Aaron Young, Mike Malcolm and Mike Leyland. Above: RSYS Commodore Christian Brook (left) receives a gift from RNZYS Commodore Aaron Young.

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RNZYS burgee returns to the Hamilton Island winner’s circle

Words by Ivor Wilkins • Images by ‘Salty Dingo’

Dating back to the 1990s and continuing for some 25 years, Hamilton Island Race Week in Queensland was an important event on New Zealand’s racing calendar. In more recent years, fewer Kiwi yachts have made the journey across the Tasman Sea, but the 2022 event in August saw the RNZYS burgee in the winner’s circle once again.

Competing in the closely-fought IRC Division One, Caro, owned by Swiss yachtsman Max Klink, discarded a 3rd place finish to post an impressive 2/2/1/2/1/1 score and take out the series.

Caro is a Botin-designed TP52 optimised for offshore racing. It was

built by Core Builders Composites in Warkworth in 2020 with a view to racing in that year’s Sydney-Hobart Classic, which was cancelled due to Covid. During the build, Klink joined the RNZYS and carries the club’s burgee into battle on the international stage.

“I had never been a member of a yacht club before, so I felt very fortunate to become a member of the Squadron and I have enjoyed some very pleasant visits there,” he says.

His first association with the RNZYS and New Zealand yacht racing came in 2014 with a previous Caro, a 65-footer also designed by Botin. During that visit to New Zealand, he competed in a Squadron

Wednesday night race and also the PIC Coastal Classic, before going on to score a 3rd place IRC Division 0 finish in the Sydney-Hobart.

Speaking from Switzerland, Klink said he started sailing at a young age, primarily cruising on his father’s yacht. “About 10 years ago, I got the bug for racing with my 65-footer, but it was a bit compromised because it was more of a cruising boat.

“We tried to convert it for racing, but that never worked properly. The rating was not competitive. I had to decide whether to stop racing altogether, or do something different.”

Working with Klink at that time and ever since was Justin Ferris, a Kiwi

four-time Volvo Ocean Race veteran and Doyle Sails sailmaker. “Justin and I looked at the options and decided on an offshore TP52,” says Klink.

The new Caro was built utilising tooling from a previous Botindesigned Super Series TP52, but with modifications for IRC and offshore racing. “In my opinion, it is the best built offshore 52 in the world,” says Klink. “It is like a work of art.”

A major feature of the boat is its flexibility, with two distinct modes for inshore and offshore racing. In its offshore configuration, it has a larger rudder with wheel steering, water ballast, a galley, head and crew bunks. For inshore racing, a smaller rudder with tiller steering is

Under dramatic skies, RNZYS member Max Klkink’s Caro races to victory during the 2022 Hamilton Island Race Week.

Hamilton Island Race Week offers scenic sailing in Queensland’s spectacular Whitsunday Islands, which abound with wildlife (picture opposite). installed, the head, galley and bunks are removed and the water ballast de-commissioned.

Following the cancellation of the 2020 Sydney-Hobart, the boat was shipped to Europe where its build quality was well tested in the Rolex Middle Sea Race, finishing 3rd overall in winds up to 40 knots. “It was good to see that the boat coped well. We had absolutely no issues in quite tough conditions,” says Klink.

That was followed by a trans-Atlantic race and then a class victory in the Voile de St Barths regatta in the Caribbean before Caro was shipped to Australia – with the Sydney-Hobart once again the primary goal, but also targeting Hamilton Island Race Week as a major objective.

“Over the 10 years we have been racing together as a crew, we have often spoken about racing at Hamilton Island,” Klink says. “But, however much you talk about it, you do not realise how beautiful it is until you actually get there.

“The scenery and racing are very good – and then there is the wildlife. I have never seen so many whales – we had to sail around them. It was wonderful.”

Of course, there was a serious racing objective as well in preparation for the Hobart race. The opportunity to line up against other 52s, particularly three-time Sydney-Hobart winner Ichi Ban, was a big attraction.

“It was a really good week of racing,” adds Justin Ferris. “We felt we had an edge over the rest of the fleet, but we had a tough rating, so we had to work hard for our victory.

“Conditions were windy for the first couple of days, then moderate and then back to a good breeze at the end.”

Following Hamilton Island, the Sydney-Hobart preparations continue with the crew assembling for a training week in late November and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Bird Island Race in early November.

Ferris says he has a few new sails in the development pipeline, which they will test during the November training week – “but I couldn’t possibly tell you what we are working on”.

Klink adds: “We have some ideas, but the competition is very tight, so we need to keep some secrets. The 52 fleet is so strong, any of the boats can win. Sometimes the result is decided by seconds.

“What we learned from the inshore racing at Hamilton Island is that it is going to be extremely competitive. To have any chance, you have to sail at peak performance every minute for three days.”

After the Sydney-Hobart, Caro will be shipped back to Europe where a busy schedule of long offshore races awaits, including the Fastnet, the Middle Sea Race and the Giraglia.

“I like the remoteness of offshore racing,” says Klink. “I enjoy the racing, but these races are very scenic as well. It is beautiful.”

By sailors, for sailors. doylesails.com

HIGH PERFORMANCE, DELIVERED.

CARO Botin 52

WINNER Hamilton Island Race Week 2022, IRC Division One

Photo Credit: Salty Dingo

Challenging ocean test in 2023 Trans Tasman Race

A dramatic and compelling new ocean (and we mean ‘ocean’) racecourse has been shoe-horned into the start of next year’s busy Spring / Summer sailing season.

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Sydney’s Northern Beaches and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland have forged a strong bond preparing for this exciting race, which was previously postponed due to Covid, after receiving over 100 expressions of interest. The inaugural Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race will start on October 7th, 2023.

The Tasman Sea has an unruly reputation, but interest is building in the contest, which will challenge contestants and provide irresistible opportunities to stoke the always intense sporting rivalries between Australia and New Zealand. The Sydney-Auckland Ocean Race is a 1,250-mile race, classified as a Category 1 event and open to racing yachts, offshore cruising, superyachts, ocean racing multihulls, and incorporating a rally for cruisers.

The October date has been timed so that New Zealand competitors can arrange to compete at Hamilton Island in tropical Queensland in August before racing back home. The Aussies can race to Auckland, then be back in time for the Sydney-Hobart. Or, they can stay in New Zealand to do the famous Coastal Classic in late October 2023, or stay on longer to compete in the Bay of Islands Sailing Week in late Jan 2024. Northern

Hemisphere yachts can make a South Pacific season, encompassing Hamilton Island Race Week, Sydney to Auckland and Sydney to Hobart.

As a frequent visitor to New Zealand and a regular competitor in the annual Bay of Islands Race Week, RPAYC organising committee chairman Robert McClelland is uniquely placed to liaise between the two clubs. McClelland says the event, being promoted as “a race between two legendary sailing cities”, is part of a broader effort at the RPAYC to expand its sailing profile.

Over the centuries, the Tasman Sea has earned a reputation not to be taken lightly. ‘A theatre of drama’ is how Neville Peat described it in his book The Tasman: Biography of an Ocean. ‘A jostling, characterful cocktail of currents, water masses, oceanic fronts, eddies, layers, upwellings and tidal tricks makes it one of the most complicated tracts of the ocean in the world.’

McClelland says it is certainly a stretch of ocean demanding respect but adds that sophisticated forecasting means sailors will have access to detailed information and warning of adverse conditions.

The Tasman Sea both connects and divides Australia and New Zealand, its boisterous character an apt reflection of the relationship of affectionate hostility between the two countries.

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Conquer the Tasman

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A 1250nm race across the Tasman, the Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race is a Category 1 event open to offshore cruising and racing yachts, Superyachts & ocean racing multihulls.

Starting in Sydney Harbour on October 7, 2023, the race will culminate in Auckland; famously known as the City of Sails and home to The America’s Cup.

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Celebrating the long service of our senior members

By Billy Woodworth

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron was honoured to award the first of our 60 Years of Service pins at a well-attended ceremony in the Ballroom on 8 September.

Piri Neary, the longest continuous serving member at 74.8 years, was honoured as the first recipient of the 60 year pin alongside fellow 70-year members Past Commodore Warwick White, Douglas Bates, Barrie Hopkins, Graeme Cox and John Hudson.

“The club is run more like a business now and the type of racing has changed from overnighters to Te Kouma and Mahurangi to more afternoon races to suit busy lifestyles,” said Piri. “But the camaraderie hasn’t changed, and the rums and sausage rolls with crew after racing continue on.

“The club is now used far better by our members, which is a credit to the Squadron for their events and to members for taking part – and the race yachts are much bigger and flasher than they were in my day!”

Piri is quite literally a part of the Squadron, with his family’s furniture company CF Neary having built the trophy cabinets, honours boards and armchairs that take pride of place throughout the Squadron’s clubrooms.

Throughout his sailing career, Piri won four RNZYS division victories, with Little Jim winning Second Division honours in 1951-52 and 52-53, as well as Jenanne’s 1971-72 K Class victory and Jenanne II winning the 1976-77 Second Division prize during his ownership.

“My favourite memories sailing are of the M Class Marita before and after World War 2, as well as initiating family cruising races and ladies’ races whilst on the Squadron Committee. The annual Boxing Day race to the Bay of Islands always got the boats up north quickly to be able to cruise for three weeks.”

Sailing was always in the Neary family, especially once Piri married Anne Wiseman, daughter of Murray Wiseman, who designed and made

Murray winches. They met at Ohaku Bay whilst sanding separate boat bottoms, with Annie taking care of Jenanne and Piri Little Jim. “Dad instilled a love of sailing into his children from an early age,” said daughter Jane Gibbons. “As a family of three children, we all were taken sailing from a few months old. We all loved our family holiday at the Bay of Islands, Great Barrier or Te Kouma”.

“The lifestyle was amazing with fishing, diving, tramping, swimming, rowing, sabot yacht races, and plenty of parties. Piri’s children and grandchildren still all love holidays on the boat.”

Piri was still competitively helming up until 2018 and actively sailing in the 2021 Doyle Sails Winter Series. However, sailing for Piri these days is far slower, consisting of day trips with his family.

Another of the 60-year pin recipients and long-time competitive rival of Neary, Richard Buchanan, sailed back to New Zealand several years ago after seven years away cruising in the Mediterranean. He is the grandson of Arch Buchanan, who was one of the pioneers of New Zealand yachting, owning boats from the famous yards of Charles Bailey and Robert Logan Snr. including the Logan masterpiece, Rainbow

Richard Buchanan followed his grandfather’s passion and raced for many years in the Squadron fleet with his Alan Wright-designed Rebel Rouser.

RNZYS Life member Peter “PJ” Montgomery remarked, “I’m amazed that the Squadron had members with over 70 years of membership, surprised just how many over 60-year members the Squadron had, and thoroughly appreciated how proud the pin recipients were to be acknowledged for their length of service.

“It was a pleasure to be able to place the 60-year pin on close friends, who couldn’t have been prouder to receive such an honour. I’ve only made it to my 50-year pin so far, so I’ve got plenty more to go before matching the likes of Piri.”

Piri Neary (second right) with RNZYS General Manager Sarah Wiblin (left), Piri’s daughter Jane Gibbons and Commodore Andrew Aitken.

John Algie (50 years) and Barrie Hopkins (60 years).

From left, Richard Buchanan (60 years), Phillipa Buchanan

Life Member Roy Dickson (60 years).

Life member Bryan Kensington (40 years) and Annette Kensington.

Pictures by Debra Douglas

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2022 RNZYS Long Service Pin Recipients (with years of membership in brackets)

60 YEARS+

Piri Neary (74.8); Past Commodore Warwick White (73.9); Douglas Bates (73.4); Graeme Cox (70.9); John Hudson (69.9); Jim Cooke (66.7); Chris Collins (65.3); Peter Nelson (65.1); John Gribben (64.9); Life Member Roy Dickson (64.6); Richard Church (64.3); Ross McRobie ONZM (64.2); Brian Studman (63.2); Ian McRobie (63.1); Dick Fisher (62.8); Past Commodore & Life Member Don Brooke (62.1); Richard Buchanan (61.9); Doug Galbraith (61.8); John Baker (61.7); Ross George (61.3); Sandy Grigg (60.4); Trustee Graeme Bennett (60.3); Malcolm Don (60.2); Don Galbraith (60.1); Clive Ross CNZM (60.1); Rob Somerville (60.1); Frank Warnock (60.1).

50 YEARS

Commodore Andrew Aitken; Brian Aitken; Murray Aldridge; Past Commodore Steve Burrett; Past Commodore Bill Endean; Gus Gardner; Bob Gordon; Wayne Hurst; Peter Jordan; Derek Macdonald; John Sinclair; Chad Thompson; Geoffrey Turner; Max Whittington; Bryce Woods.

40 YEARS

David Hicks; Bryan Kensington; Mike Lanigan; Rod Marler; Ken Mulgrew; Kevin Pollock; Laurie Robertson; Tom Schnackenberg OBE; Kenneth Stanton; Brian Trubovich; Des Williams.

New Zealand Distributor:

Skipper Tony is good as gold

Story by Debra Douglas Fame doesn’t come easy to Squadron member and Fast Company skipper Tony Smith. In fact, he is “looking forward to sinking back to being a nobody again”.

Tony’s celebrity status arose when he was featured on TVI’s Seven Sharp programme, chosen as an ASB Good as Gold award recipient, receiving $10,000. Nominated by crew member Olivia Boswell, the award celebrated a lifetime of generosity that has seen Tony and Fast Company being such good company.

Since his boat, a Ross 930, was launched in 1984, Tony has hosted more than 1000 experienced or wannabe sailors. He is described as making sailing a more accessible sport to newcomers, especially women, who otherwise might not have had the chance to develop their skills.

“Women are more reliable, but I try to run 50/50,” said Tony.

Tony’s successful technique is to enlist a core number of crew who know what they are doing and others who are new and learning. He uses recreational races, where spinnakers are exempt, as ‘feeder’ events for the newbies. Everyone is welcome, even tourists who just turn up at the pier gate and want to get out on the water.

Tony has created a huge sailing ‘family’ over the decades. Some crew have been with him for 20 years and it is estimated Tony has sailed in more than 5000 races with Fast Company If there is an on-shore race out of Westhaven, you can bet Fast Company will be there.

So Tony usually knows what to expect before he heads out on the Waitemata for a race start. But this day in August, which also happened to be his 70th birthday, he was caught totally unaware when TV1 reporter Michael Holland, a cameraman and a crowd of supporters turned up at his marina berth.

“More people were there than would be at my funeral,” said Tony. “It was a complete surprise. And after the programme was aired, I received so much attention; such a warm and positive response. I got multiple emails and phone calls from friends throughout the country, including those overseas who the crew had leaked the video to. I just about needed a press secretary.”

Tony says he will spend the $10,000 on Fast Company’s refurbishment and hopefully a new spinnaker. When the boat goes back in the water, the summer will see him and his ‘family’ competing in RNZYS, Richmond Yacht Club and Ponsonby Yacht Club events.

Tony has made so many people happy through teaching them to sail, so what makes him happy?

“A happy crew, being competitive … and when I am out in front with my spinnaker filling, that’s when I am at my happiest. “

There’s always a welcome aboard from skipper Tony Smith. Photo by Andrea Rush

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Remembering Bernie Nixon Race Management Official (and baker) extraordinaire

By Principal Race Officer Megan Kensington

On 31 August the Race Management team lost a dear friend and colleague when Bernadette Catherine Nixon, known to one and all as Bernie, passed away. Bernie is sorely missed by Ray, her loving husband of 50 years, and a small army of family and friends.

The RNZYS Race Management team would like to pay a special tribute to her. Bernie and Ray were a huge part of the RNZYS race management team for a long period of time. They were regulars in the many events the RNZYS ran. Fleet racing, match racing – you name it, they were there.

Race Officers often fought, politely, over who was going to have Bernie and Ray on their team if there were two courses running on the same day. You had to be quick to get them before they were booked up by someone else.

Ray was the timekeeper. He never lost track of the timing, even at the most chaotic of times. Bernie basically ran everything else on the boat – including the Race Officer. In match racing, she developed what we called the Bernie System of recording everything that was happening on the course so that she knew which mark every boat was going to and what lap of the course they were on. The system she developed is still being used today.

Bernie was not only great at organising the Committee Boat, but she was also a fabulous baker. We would put in special requests before the event and she always delivered.

Finally Bernie was a fun and lovely person to have on the boat. Always

full of energy and keeping us on our toes. As a Race Officer, I would take both Ray and Bernie to a number of events at other clubs. They were such a great team to have on the Committee Boat.

Even after Bernie and Ray retired from race management, they were frequently there to discuss the racing and were always interested in what was going on.

Bernie was a very valuable member of our team and will be greatly missed.

Above: Bernie and Ray Nixon (right) with Principal Race Officer Megan Kensington. Below: Bernie and Ray enjoying their other passion: Electron racing. – Debra Douglas Photo

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Labour of love linking past and future

A last-minute decision to rescue the remains of his father’s launch from near-certain destruction has led to a major revival project by Past Commodore and Squadron Trustee Bill Endean and his son, Guy.

“It was pretty close to becoming firewood,” says Guy, who did doubleduty as a boatbuilder and grinder for Emirates Team New Zealand during the 2021 America’s Cup defence and – between rebuilding his grandfather’s launch – commutes to international regattas as a professional sailor.

Guy only has a vague memory as a three-year-old meeting his grandfather at Mangonui. “I didn’t really know him, but I do remember that visit. He passed away shortly after that.”

Bill (W.A.) Endean’s memory of his father’s launch is equally vague. There is a photograph of Bill and his brother Richard (both of whom served as RNZYS Commodores: 2002-2004 and 1991-1992 respectively) on board the launch during an outing in the Hauraki Gulf.

“I must have been about three or four years old,” says Bill, but I don’t remember much about it.”

Main Picture: Guy Endean studies plans for the Tangmere revival. Above: On arrival, the hull was severely twisted and the keelson had pushed up through the bottom of the boat.

Above: An early sketch of designer Nick Peale’s plan to reduce and modernise the cabin profile while retaining the character of the original boat as designed and built by W.J. Endean after the war (below). The bottom two images show the state of the boat shortly before Past Commodore Bill Endean took possession and when it first arrived for a long period of drying out in his farm shed.

His father was also named Bill, (W.J.), as was his grandfather (W.P.), another RNZYS Commodore 1928-1930. W.J. Endean served as a Lancaster bomber pilot in World War Two. “There is a story that he was the only pilot to loop a Lancaster,” says Bill. “He apparently claimed it was an accident, but that is hard to imagine.”

After the war, W.J. Endean returned to New Zealand and, in 1949, bought a launch hull from Shipbuilders Ltd in Auckland. He designed and built the cabin and interior himself, fitted a 100hp Osco Mercury V8 engine and called the boat Tangmere, after an RAF Fighter Command base in Sussex, where Douglas Bader and other Battle of Britain heroes were based. He later extended the hull by 3ft and lengthened the cabin accordingly.

W.J. Endean was a close friend of Tony Mason, who was also a WW2 pilot and later became a prolific powerboat designer. His Mason Clipper, with its distinctive sloping windows, became a Kiwi classic. Tangmere’s cabin windows are very similar in shape.

After owning Tangmere for about 10 years, W.J. Endean sold her and bought a Marlin 19 from Tony Mason. She was called Hubbly Bubbly because of the throbbing sound the Ford V8 engine made at idle. He subsequently designed and built a runabout, after which he owned several keelboats.

Meanwhile, Tangmere went through a number of ownerships and waning fortunes. “My brother, Richard, saw the boat in Bon Accord Harbour a few years ago,” Bill recalls. “He sent me some photos. I subsequently saw her ashore on the hard at the Mahurangi River in a sorry state. Later still, I was offered the boat to purchase and declined.”

However, Bill finally relented when he received a text message to say Tangmere’s owner had moved to Mangonui, leaving the old launch behind on his front lawn, “free to a good home”. He arranged for it to be transported to a shed on his farm at Warkworth, where it remained for a couple of years before Guy “grasped the nettle” and undertook the mission to bring Tangmere back to life.

Despite the time spent under cover in the farm shed, the hull timbers were still quite wet and dehumidifiers were deployed in a tent to speed

Much of the internal structure has been replaced and strengthened. the drying process. A much bigger challenge was straightening the deformed hull.

“It was in pretty poor shape,” says Guy. “It had spent several years sitting on a lawn. When it finally arrived here on the back of a flat-bed truck, the keelson had basically pushed up and popped a lot of the internal structure.

“The hull was also completely twisted. The good news is that the majority of planks are still in reasonable condition.” A web of internal props and external ratchet straps was deployed to slowly pull the hull back into shape.

The plan is not to pursue a restoration in the purist sense of the word. Instead, it will be glassed inside and out. “The process of glassing the inside involved progressively working along the hull, removing three or four ribs at a time, cleaning any oil and grease and then glassing that section, before moving to the next section.”

With that complete, once the timbers are sufficiently dry, the hull exterior will be fully glassed as well. “The whole idea,” Guy explains, “is that we can freeze everything in time. We will have a kauri-cored

‘The boat had spent several years sitting on a lawn. When it finally arrived here on the back of a flat-bed truck, the keelson had basically pushed up and popped a lot of the internal structure.’

composite hull that should last forever and be completely waterproof as well.”

Bill Endean’s 16.3m Elliott-designed yacht, Go, is due for a new engine, so the existing 100hp unit will be refurbished and transplanted into Tangmere. “We have no real idea of how it will perform,” says Bill. “I am hoping it will get up to 12 or 13 knots, which is twice as fast as I have been able to motor on the water in the past. Go has always sailed faster than she motors – she gets to 7 knots under power. So, at anything over 12 or 13 knots I will feel I have really made it!”

The other major challenge is to rebuild the cabin structure. Again, this is not a 100% recreation of the original. Designer Nick Peal was brought in to produce drawings that are in keeping with the period, but reflect the way launches are used today.

“We go boating differently these days,” Guy notes. “We like spending more time outside, so it is not so much all-cabin and no cockpit space. Nick has done an amazing job to create something that will be userfriendly and slightly modernised, while still acknowledging the history.

“It is going to more like a picnic boat, about going to some nice anchorage and sitting out to have lunch, or taking the grandkids for a tiki tour.” There will be a small galley and a couple of bunks, so overnighting or weekending is perfectly feasible.

Some of the changes will create a more seamanlike vessel. With the original boat, there was a little step and a Perspex bubble (like an aircraft gunner’s position) to enable the helmsman to see forward.

“From the new helm station, you will actually be able to see forward over the bow roller, as opposed to the original where basically you couldn’t see anything,” Guy laughs.

Bill Endean notes that in addition to the Perspex bubble, other aeronautical hints can be detected in the look and details of the original boat. “The styling looked a bit like the cockpit of a DC3, the way the windows angled back and the generous brow.

“When I got the boat, it came with a collection of detail pieces, like the cowls that cover the vents on the cabintop. They look like the air scoops of a V8 hotrod. I am going to have those chromed and put back.

“There is also a mast with the spreaders shaped like airplane wings.”

Among the comments about this project on the Waitemata Woodys website (waitematawoodys.com) is one from the doyen of classic boat historians, Harold Kidd, who has a strong association with classic aeroplanes as well. “Still love this boat!” he enthuses. “She’s a pure expression of the joy of flying.”

No doubt the father and son effort going into this revival will ensure that the particular flavour and spirit imbued by the previous generation will be carried forward into the future. “Once it is finished, it will be a family boat and ultimately it will be up to Guy and our daughters to carry it on into the next generation,” says Bill.

By Ivor Wilkins

Members’ Bar is the place to be this summer

Chicken that is definitely worth crossing the road for ... Executive Chef Campbell White is featuring Chicken Cotoletta on his new Members’ Bar menu.

The crumbed chicken breast dish is coated in breadcrumbs with lemon zest and parsley, accompanied by Chipotle Goddess, a sauce made from equal amounts of aioli and crème fraiche. It sits on a cos and radish salad with jus and micro herbs.

Look out too for the torched King Salmon in the Bites & Starters section, Heirloom Tomato Spaghetti as a Main, or a Farmers’ Platter with glazed ham and pork pie to share.

Then maybe finish with something sweet - Chocolate Mousse with sponge, cherries and organic hazelnuts, or Vanilla Cheesecake with seasonal berry and sable crumb ...

Picture by Debra Douglas

Join the club to cure that travel itch

Story & picture by Debra Douglas

Does an island-hopping adventure at the Seychelles top your bucket list … but you are not keen on going alone? Then the Squadron’s recently established Travel Club might be able to offer you companionship while you are discovering the Indian Ocean.

“The catalyst for the Travel Club initiative came from the fantastic feedback we received from members who took January’s cruise on the Spirit of Enderby to the Sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand, with those involved finding new friends with common interests,” said Nikki Harkin, RNZYS Membership Manager.

“Also, we surveyed members recently about what interests, other than sailing, they had and what they would like to have the club involve them in. We have many members who don’t sail, or just want to be part of the club as social members. So, we started the Travel Club as a dedicated club to bring these like-minded people together.“

Hosted by Wild Earth Travel’s Business Development Manager, Sarah Porter, the Travel Club was launched in August at the Squadron, with Sarah presenting small-ship travel options close to home in the coming months that could appeal to members. Wild Earth Travel offers all its small ships and expedition leaders worldwide and can provide members access to its airline and accommodation associates.

“It was obvious from the Sub-Antarctic islands trip, organised by Wild Earth Travel, that

members wanted to do this sort of thing more often. We don’t intend, however, on filling a charter ship,“ said Sarah. “It could be just a few members wanting to travel together on an existing cruise, or it may just be two or three couples who want to visit the Kimberley Coast.”

Nikki says Barcelona for the America’s Cup is a major destination drawcard for potential Travel Club members.

“We don’t have a lot to tell everyone about a Barcelona travel and accommodation package yet, other than we believe the regatta will take place at the end of October 2024. But it is planned that we will be establishing a home away from home at Barcelona. A ‘hub’, which will include on and off the water events.

“In the meantime, we want to hear from members about where and when they would like to travel. There is no joining fee for the Travel Club and everyone will be kept up to date on future travel opportunities in Mainsheet and on the Squadron website (rnzys.org.nz).”

• So, if there is somewhere you would like to go, contact Nikki Harkin for more information re the Travel nharkin@rnzys.org.nz; or to explore travel opportunities, sarah@wildearth-travel.com

From left, Wild Earth Travel Business Development

Manager

Sarah Porter, Commodore Andrew Aitken and Lyn Wade, expedition guide with Wild Earth Travel and Heritage Explorer.

Corbett clinches national title after close duel with Egnot-Johnson

In a display of New Zealand’s match racing depth at the 2022 Harken New Zealand Match Racing Championship, Reuben Corbett was able to claim his first national match racing title alongside his crew of Guy Pilkington, Zak Merton, and Andre Van Dam.

In a reverse of 2021’s final that also went the full five races, RNZYS Sailing Manager Corbett had to fend off a hard charging and defending champion KNOTS Racing crew helmed by Nick Egnot-Johnson, who brought a 2-0 deficit back from the brink to level at 2-2.

However, despite a mistake in race three taking him around the wrong offset mark, this year Corbett was not to be denied and claimed the decider by three boatlengths.

“It’s been a long time coming but I’m stoked to have finally got over the line,” he said. “These battles with Nick and the KNOTS boys are always so close, but really happy with the consistency of performances all weekend from our team, and especially all of the RNZYS Youth Training Programme teams,” said Corbett.

This year’s NZMRC saw also great work from our race committee and umpiring volunteers who were able to fit the full schedule of racing in despite losing the first day and a half of sailing with too much breeze on Thursday and not enough on Friday morning.

Once racing was able to commence at midday on Friday, the shifting conditions, and heavy tidal changes in the Waitemata meant the favoured side of the racecourse changed from race to race in what proved to be a great test of the sailor’s tactical reading of their surroundings. However, the story of this year’s regatta was the marked improvement shown by the rest NZMRC field with close duels all weekend between all the entrants.

“The quality of this fleet has come along leaps and bounds since the 2021 Harken NZMRC earlier this year. Full credit to all the sailors for some challenging races throughout all three days,” said 2021 champion and defeated finalist Sam Barnett of KNOTS Racing.

“Seeing the competitiveness this weekend has really given us the jolt we needed to get back into match racing, so we can’t wait to get back out there at the next regatta possible.”

The NZMRC was the first match racing regatta in what is shaping up to be an incredibly busy and exciting Southern Hemisphere match racing season with November’s Barfoot & Thompson New Zealand Women’s Match Racing Championship and Barfoot & Thompson Women’s World Match Racing Championship attracting the best women’s teams from around the world to Auckland, as well as Open and Youth regattas across New Zealand and Australia upcoming for Kiwi sailors.

• Final Results: 1, Reuben Corbett; 2, Nick Egnot-Johnson; 3, Josh Hyde; 4, Mason Mulcahy; 5, Braedyn Denny; 6, Megan Thomson; 7, Robbie McCutcheon; 8, Mattias Coutts; 9, Callum Radford; 10, George Angus; 11, Sophia Fyfe; 12, Lucas Day.

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Group of Young Guns takes

Words by Ivor Wilkins • Photos by Olivia Winsett

When the well-known 67ft Auckland yacht, Innismara, appeared on a sales website a couple of months ago, Thomas Rutter’s first reaction at seeing the asking price was that it had to be too good to be true.

Innismara was one of RNZYS Past Commodore Ian Cook’s famous rescue missions. Built in 1969 by Bernie Schmidt, the yacht was in a derelict state, but Cook brought it back to life and his daughter, Paige, used the boat to promote young people into classic keelboat sailing.

It was also loaned on occasion to the Squadron’s Learn-to-Sail programme for training weekends away at Kawau Island.

“I know Paige and Bianca Cook quite well, so I texted Paige to ask if her father had lost his marbles,” says Thomas. “She confirmed it was for sale and the price was correct.”

With his interest well and truly aroused, Thomas set about talking to his mates about forming a syndicate.

Meanwhile, Jack Dodson had also noticed the ad and was thinking along similar lines. “I race with Thomas sometimes with the Stewart 34s on Monday nights,” says Jack. “I figured he might be pretty keen, so I gave him a call and the idea suddenly got legs, so we just pulled the trigger.”

Thomas and Jack’s names suggest a certain sailing pedigree. Their

fathers are O.C. Rutter and Tom Dodson respectively, both well known in racing circles at the highest levels. In fact, while Innismara was undergoing its final finishing touches prior to re-launching, both fathers were away racing the superyacht Silver Tip in St Tropez. – quite safe from being roped in to wield sanding blocks and scrapers,

Thomas races regularly on Mayhem in the 50ft class and Jack spent his early 20s crewing on superyachts and race boats in Europe, before returning to New Zealand – where he now has “a girlfriend and a dog, so things have changed a bit”.

Innismara – the name is Gaelic for ‘Island in the Sea’ – is easily identified for its long, slender lines. It was variously nicknamed ‘the pencil’, or ‘the war canoe’.

“I had never sailed on it,” says Thomas. “Some of my wider sailing friends had sailed on it with Paige and Bianca, but I had often seen it out there and thought it was a great boat to sail and cruise on.

“We saw it as an opportunity to pick up the mantle and take on a classic boat. The benefit of more people involved gives us a good pool of crew. We want to enter it in as many races as possible and try to get it used as much as possible.”

Along with Thomas and Jack are another six partners: Dougal and Angus Bell, plus Dougal’s partner, Olivia Winsett, George Bourke, Sam

Back Row(L-R): Dougal Bell, Olivia Winsett, Jack Dodson, Guy Slater, George Bourke. Front row: Thomas Rutter and Angus Bell.

on Innismara

Harris and Guy Slater. Apart from two, most have grown up in boating families and all are of a similar age, in their late 20s or early 30s.

“Innismara is perfect for us. It sails well and is big enough to go out with a bunch of mates for a few nights, do a couple of rum races and so on. With eight of us, it is not too expensive to keep it going,” says Jack.

On taking ownership, the first task was a general tidy-up, which involved many weekends and after-hours sessions in the yard. “The boat was well looked after and Ian Cook did a major rebuild in 2014, so most of what we have done is cosmetic,” says Thomas.

“We stripped all the varnish back and recoated it, we re-stained the floorboards, cleaned out all the bilges, got rid of some aluminium fizz in the mast and repainted it, took the keel off and re-sealed the hull joint.”

With a variety of practical skills in the group, the job-list was steadily

ticked off, with generous input and advice from Ian Cook when required.

At last, Innismara was trucked to the Orams yard for re-launching. “Orams were really helpful and we are also grateful to Tony Stevenson from the Tino Rawa Trust for agreeing to berth Innismara with the classics in the Viaduct,” says Thomas.

With the boat launched and sailing in mid-October, the first major goal is the PIC Coastal Classic, followed by a summer of social and semiserious racing.

And, what of Thomas and Jack’s fathers, how keen are they to get involved. “Willingly reluctant is how I would describe it,” laughs Thomas. “No, they both think it is a really cool idea and are happy that it has all come together. I am almost certain they will want to come out racing with us at some stage.”

Many weekend and after-hours working bees went into preparing Innismara for re-launch and a summer of racing and cruising.

The Silver Lining in Falling Markets

Falling markets are never good as you are suffering losses in your portfolio which impact your long-term returns. Investors cannot change what happened yesterday and need to make decisions looking forward. Many investors are feeling nervous and wondering whether to sell, or new investors are wondering whether to invest or stay in cash. When thinking about that, investors should consider that lower markets can bring investors a silver lining in the form of cheaper assets, which increase your forward-looking returns from today’s starting point. Let’s look at a few simplistic examples.

If I can buy a property for $1m and it pays me an annual rental of $60,000 then I am getting a yield of 6%p.a. If that property value falls to $850,000 and my tenants are still paying $60,000 then I am getting a yield of 7%p.a. Would you rather own the property at $1m or $850k if you don’t plan to sell any time soon?

The same logic applies to equity and bond markets. If I own a share that trades at $20 per share and that company earns $1 per share in company profits, then it is trading on a 5% earnings yield and a priceto-earnings (PE) ratio of 20X. If that share price falls to $15 but the company can still earn $1 per share, my earnings yield is now 6.7% and the stock is trading on 15X price-to-earnings. Would you rather own that stock at $15 or $20?

If I owned a bond paying me a fixed rate of interest for the next five years and the underlying interest rates go up, my bond is worth less because that same bond if issued today would have to pay me a higher rate of interest. Wouldn’t you rather own the bond today at a cheaper price but paying a higher effective rate of interest?

The examples above are not far from reality so far in 2022. Many share markets have fallen by around 20%, which is more than earnings have fallen, meaning you can now buy the markets on cheaper PE valuations and higher earnings yields. In fixed income markets, bond yields have gone up significantly, meaning capital values have fallen, but the yields you can now receive are the best they have been in years. The chart below shows the rise in yield on the NZ A-Grade Corporate Bond Index and as you can see, yields have gone from less than 1% to well over 4%.

The chart below shows Morgan Stanley’s estimate of forwardlooking returns over the next 10 years for a ‘balanced’ asset allocation of 60% US shares and 40% US Corporate Bonds. The chart is not a predictor of short-term returns, but as you can see, following the recent share market fall and the rise in bond yields, Morgan Stanley’s estimate of your forward looking 10-year returns has significantly improved to 6.6%, the highest expected level since 2014.

The analysis above is simplistic and should not be taken as a shortterm view on markets, as share markets often fall because investors expect company earnings to fall. Currently there is an expectation that economies will slow (maybe even into recession), which will impact the company earnings outlook. So, while Milford is still relatively cautious on the near-term outlook, for those with a long-term investment time horizon, your chance of making better forward-looking returns has improved as assets have become cheaper.

Weak markets can test investors’ nerves, and it is important for them to remind themselves of their long-term goals. During these times it may be helpful to remember what Warren Buffett once said, “be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful”.

This article is intended to provide general information only. It does not take into account your invest ment 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-ad vice. Before investing please read the Milford Investment Funds Product Disclosure Statement as issued by Milford Funds Limited at milfordasset.com

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Wandering Serena Woodall becoming familiar with foiling

RNZYS’s Serena Woodall has had a hectic but productive 2022 in the Northern Hemisphere, sailing across multiple foiling disciplines including the four events of the Youth Foiling Gold Cup, a 69F Grand Prix event and two foiling training camps, alongside sailing for Live Ocean Racing at Foiling Week. She gives a brief account of her progress …

The learning curve has been intense and very steep, but I’ve loved progressing throughout the season. Seeing the youth foiling talent overseas and the growth within the class over the course of the season has been eye opening and exciting.

A highlight of my 69F sailing this year would be placing 3rd at Act Three of the YFGC and qualifying the Swiss team, Katana Sailing, for the grand final which will be held in Barcelona.

At the beginning of July, I was fortunate enough to sail for Live Ocean Racing at Foiling Week 2022 in their ETF team alongside Liv Mackay, Jase Saunders and Helena Sanderson. It was an amazing opportunity to sail in such a high calibre team and in such a competitive fleet.

Liv and Jase are both incredibly talented

sailors and role models with immense amounts of knowledge. It was a priceless opportunity and I’m super grateful to Live Ocean for having me on. Their ETF campaign is the first of its kind for NZ, not only opening a big door for female sailors but also campaigning for the ocean and racing for a purpose. We came away with a 2nd place overall.

In addition to foiling sailing, I have also been taking part in some match racing events with Celia Willison and Sophie Otter, some J70 coaching and racing in San Francisco and working on a J Class, Rainbow, in Palma for a couple of months prior to the season starting.

Next I head off to Greece for the Women’s Match Racing Europeans with Celia in preparation for the Women’s Match Racing Worlds at home in November.

So far, it’s been an amazing year abroad and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed racing new boats, the learning curves and meeting new people. I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had and very excited for what’s to come in the future!

A huge thank you to the Squadron for its continued support and everyone else who has supported my teams and me.

MASTERCARD YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAMME

The RNZYS Mastercard Youth Training Programme athletes have been really honing their skills this winter, which has resulted in some impressive showings in both national and international competitions. We are also excited to announce that Barfoot & Thompson have come onboard as a new boat sponsor.

I should also introduce myself: My name is Zak Merton and as a former graduate of both the Youth Training and Performance Programmes, I am now joining the team as Coach. I am very passionate about what the Programme offers and look forward to what I can add.

In August, we had three teams at The AirCalin Match Racing Cup hosted by the Noumea Yacht Club in New Caledonia. They all enjoyed the opportunity to travel and showcase the work they have been putting in back home. Mason Mulcahy and his crew of Luis Schneider, Hugo McMullen, Macgregor Jones and Harry McMullen exceeded expectations to finish with a very credible 3rd place!

Everyone noticed how quick they were to adapt to the new boats. Luis commented on Coach Reuben’s debriefs: “We’d have a chat, usually after dinner. He’d tell us about certain plays that we hadn’t heard of before. Then we’d go out the next day to try them out and they worked. What he was telling us was leading to race wins … it blew our minds!”

Josh Hyde’s team of Jack Manning, Zach Fong, Ryder Ellis and Cody Coughlan also showed promise finishing 2nd in the round robin stages before narrowly falling short to a French team who were previous winners of the event. They eventually finished 6th overall.

A huge congratulations also goes to Reuben Corbett‘s team of Maeve White, Brad Salthouse, Brooke Adamson, and Max McLaughlin, who won the event. This team was strong from start to finish only dropping two races out of the 20 they sailed. They were dominant in the starts and commented that they were getting faster as the event went on too.

Well done to all three teams who

represented RNZYS in a way we can all be proud of.

The schedule for the season ahead is ramping up from here. The New Zealand Match Racing Nationals were the first major event sailed from 6-9 October. Four YTP teams and several graduate teams took part, and we look forward to watching them in the months ahead.

Fast approaching is the NZ Woman’s Match Racing Nationals from 3-6 November in which we have multiple current and graduate YTP members competing. This will be followed by the Barfoot & Thompson Woman’s Match Racing World Championships to be held here at home from 9-13 November.

We are sending a team of Brooke Adamson, Poppy Hoskin, Emilie Jones, Sofia Fyfe, and Roberta Li Bassi to the CYCA in Sydney to compete in the John Messenger Woman’s Match Racing Regatta at the end of October. This event doubles as the Australian Women’s Match Racing Championships, so the girls are putting in some effective training and are eager to get over there.

We have also selected two teams to compete at the Harken International Youth Match Racing at RPAYC, and the Bolle International Youth Match Racing Championships at CYCA – both events at the end of November near Sydney. Congratulations to Josh Hyde and his team of Jack Manning, Zach Fong, Cody Coughlan, and Ryder Ellis for their selection along with Brayden Hamilton and his team of Crue Ellis, Luc Gladwell, Kahurangi Nepia and Chloe Salthouse.

With 25 ‘first year’ athletes in the programme this year out of the total 43 members, there is plenty of content to cover. The athletes have been taking it in well and are noticeably enthusiastic. With a few breezy weeks sharpening our skills recently, I’m sure we’re all looking forward to some warmer weather come summer!

Zak Merton - Coach

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By Penelope Carroll

David Barker has spent almost a lifetime painting and sailing. “My father was an architect and as a small boy he taught me perspective drawing,” he says.

David (81) still has one of his first watercolours, painted in England when he was six, now hanging in the hallway of his Devonport home.

His boating experiences began in 1951 (David was 10) when the family emigrated to NZ, settling in Torbay. “Ron Holland and I shared ownership of a plank of wood which had washed ashore at Waiake Beach. We took it in turns to kneel on it and paddle around – it was the beginning of our nautical endeavours.”

A Frostbite dinghy followed some years later when his family moved to Takapuna. “The boys on the beach helped my brother Antony and I rig it and showed us how to sail”. Next came a Cherub, which he really enjoyed – until the day a Jim Young 12ft Kitty class catamaran sailed past. He was immediately attracted to the twin hull concept.

World-renowned marine artist David Barker has just completed his evocative painting Start, which he is gifting to the Classic Yacht Charitable Trust to raise funds for the ongoing upkeep of the Trust’s vessels. He is creating a limited edition of 60 numbered and signed high-quality giclee prints with a personalised remarque sketched into the corner, effectively making each an original artwork. Each print will be offered as a “ticket” in return for a $450 contribution to the Trust, with ticket holders going into a draw to win the original painting.

“There weren’t many multihulls around, but Jim Young built one for me in his Little Shoal Bay workshop. I helped on the weekends, and we had some great conversations.” So began his focus on designing large multihulls.

Meanwhile, David kept working at his paintings, which he started selling in his early teens: “It was more lucrative than delivering newspapers on a bicycle,” he remembers.

After Takapuna Grammar, he studied at Elam School of Art – and took up surfing.

A scholarship at Hawaii’s

East-West Centre where he completed a Master’s degree in Art (“probably the most formative time in my professional art life”) provided opportunities to surf as well as study.

Since Hawaii, David had been designing his own 12m catamaran, Sundancer, C1, built in Sydney in 1969. The catamaran Stratosphere, C2 and the ocean-going catamaran Sundreamer, C3 have followed over the years. Now C4, an electric jet boat, “is on the drawing board.”

David’s interest in multihulls is matched by his enthusiasm for NZ classic

yachts and launches. His replica 1913 Logan-designed (but built of carbon-fibre and Kevlar) 10 metre launch Feather, “gives me much pleasure”.

He reflects on the different roles yachting and painting have played throughout his life in many parts of the world: “Yachting has been about competition, physicality and companionship; painting, in contrast is reflective and solitary.” In his painting above, depicting twelve classic yachts moments before the start of their race, the competitive and reflective come together.

A celebrated artist with a lifelong love of the sea and boats

Spray II running hard under her original rig.

Inset: John Duder in his element at sea.

John Duder and Spray –still sailing after all these years

John Duder is both a keen sailor and committed civil engineer, and is ‘still doing both, happily’ at the age of 84. Water, he says, is the ‘common thread’ between his sailing and his engineering.

John spent the first few years of his life in the UK, the family marooned there for almost a decade with the outbreak of World War II. He revelled in his father Nelson’s stories of racing Kotiri (now being restored) with the Squadron: and in the sailing adventures of the Blackett, Callum and Walker children from Arthur Ransome’s Swallows and Amazons (he still has the whole series).

His on-the-water sailing experiences began almost immediately upon the family’s return in 1949. His father heard about “a nice little yacht in Napier” – and bought her. She was the 30 foot, single-skinned kauri Spray II, designed by Arch Logan and built in Onehunga in 1938 by Len Coulthard.

“We raced her hard,” says John. He was foredeck hand on Spray II from 1950 until he left for London in 1960. His father and younger

brother Ross continued to race her into the ‘70s. Spray II had a rig with a solid mast until the ‘60s when his father had Jack Brooke design her present rig. “When Dad was commodore of the Squadron 1963-1965, Spray became the smallest yacht ever to have flown the commodore’s burgee.”

John returned from overseas in 1973 and his father asked if I wanted to go into partnership with him. “But I had four daughters and a new job, so I declined.” Spray II was sold to Glen Cornthwaite and ended up back in Napier, returning to Auckland when she was purchased by Howard Patterson.

Then in 1996 she was back on the market. By then John co-owned and was racing the

36-foot Undine (built in 1887 by Fuller Bros in Kerikeri), with Bruce Marler. “My daughter Lisa persuaded me to buy Spray back ‘Come on Dad,’ she said. ‘Undine is a bit big for you now’…”

He has been racing Spray II this second time around for the past 25 years, with Lisa and, latterly, grandson Mukai Duder-Hura (17).

“I know the boat and I really feel she knows me,” he says. “I find myself completely attuned to her –all that muscle memory going back more than 70 years.”

He recounts two sailing highlights, the first a race to the Bay of Islands (a forerunner of the Coastal Classic) on Spray II in the ‘50s, with his father and brother (and a friend of his father’s, Con Thode who

“agreed to come on condition he could sleep all the way”).

“We were just the little nipper. We left on Boxing Day in a light westerly and we trimmed all night. Then at daybreak, unbelievably, we found we were up with the A class! We had a sixhour handicap on them and realised we could win – and we did!”

The second was 60 years later in 2017 when he completed the Coastal Classic on Spray II with Lisa, Mukai and Mike Strong. “We had a wonderful race and only missed out on first place by one minute.”

Racing Spray has always been a family affair, says John, and he is hoping Lisa and Mukai “can keep her going when I bow out…”

By Penelope Carroll

CLASSIC YACHT ASSOCIATION CONTACTS – GENERAL ENQUIRIES: Joyce Talbot, admin@classicyacht.org.nz

CLUB CAPTAIN YACHTS: Bob Still, yachtcaptain@classicyacht.org.nz

CLUB CAPTAIN LAUNCHES: Shirley-Ann McCrystal, launchcaptain@classicyacht.org.nz

Marine Scen e

Award-winning Elan E6 set for NZ debut

The first of the new Elan E6 yachts is on its way to New Zealand in time for summer.

The new performance cruiser from Elan has taken the European summer season by storm, with a host of international awards and nominations.

A British Yachting Awards 2022 nomination came weeks after the E6 was nominated for the European Yacht of the Year in the

Performance Cruiser category.

So far, this beautiful yacht has already won two awards for design excellence: The International Yacht and Aviation award, as well as the Red Dot: Product Design 2022 award. With these new nominations, and a few others already on the horizon, the Elan team is certain that these will not be the last. www.pinnaclemarine.co.nz

Sleipner externally-mounted thrusters are the ideal solution for smaller boats

Can’t fit a thruster? Sleipner offers a range of externally-mounted thrusters the “SX” series. Available in two models – with 35kg or 50 kg’s of thrust, the new SX range is Sleipner’s most compact thruster yet.

Its versatile design allows for installation on boats of any hull shape up to 37 feet. Most commonly used as a stern thruster, there are also pods available that can turn the SX thruster into an externally mounted Bow thruster – ideal for smaller yachts with a shallower draft where traditional bow thrusters are not possible.

Our new SX thrusters are easy to mount with up to 150 mm hull thickness and no GRP work necessary, and with long run times and high energy efficiency.

Available now from Advance Trident. www.advancetrident.com

Sir John Key to lead 2023 cruise to Antarctica

Antarctica travel experts Viva Expeditions have announced a new ‘VIP Antarctica’ charter hosted by former NZ Prime Minister Rt Hon Sir John Key and record-breaking polar expeditioner Professor Mike Stroud OBE, departing in November 2023.

Travelling south from Ushuaia in Argentina aboard brand-new luxury expedition vessel, the Ocean Albatros, passengers will pass through the Gerlache Strait, where 3,000ft ice cliffs rise straight out of the water, and journey deep into the inlets of the remarkable Antarctic Peninsula.

Sir John Key joins the VIP Antarctica charter for his third trip to Antarctica – a destination that he says is one of the very few that he would jump at the chance to revisit.

With only 94 cabins onboard, those lucky enough to secure a spot on this very special charter are in for the absolute trip of a lifetime www.vivaexpeditions.com

ETNZ Design Award

Emirates Team New Zealand has received a prestigious Black Pin award at The Designers Institute Best Design Awards 2022, which noted:

“ETNZ has become renowned for pushing the envelope of design and innovation across all of its campaigns in the America’s Cup and into the international marine sector.

“They have redefined sailing standards around what’s possible in modern racing and reshaped spectators’ expectations around sailing speed and excitement. ETNZ’s design culture encourages taking risks. They are constantly questioning what design will look like in 15 years’ time, then trying to create that now.”

Latest information on Products and Services

New First 44 on its way to New Zealand

With warmer months on the horizon, 36 Degrees Brokers are excited for the arrival of the New Beneteau First 44, set to make its New Zealand debut in March 2023. With a sail away price of $1,133,000 NZD for a fully spec’d vessel, landed in NZ and taxes paid, this is an opportunity not to be missed.

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. This three-cabin,

two-head cruising version features a cockpit table and a fixed point mainsheet system, making relaxing on deck in comfort easy.

Performance oriented, with quality fittings and a powerful, well balanced hull shape, the First 44 is a yacht that promises to deliver satisfaction to those who love sailing. Want to be the first to own one in NZ? Get in touch with the 36 Degrees Team today for more details.

36degrees.nz

Raymarine’s Lighthouse 4 update a bonus for keen Kiwi Fishers

MRX fleet powers into the future with Volvo Penta diesel engines

MRX fleet powering into the future

Auckland’s unique one-design MRX fleet has been given a new lease of life, with all 11 boats being repowered with new Volvo Penta diesel engines. This is the first time the dedicated fleet of Bruce Farr-design race boats launched in 1990 have been repowered, after 32 years of enthusiastic use.

Lachlan Trembath of Ovlov Marine says the company was involved in the initial set-up of the fleet, which has been sailed by the world’s top match racers over the years, as well as being regularly used for fleet racing and other regattas.

The boats are privately owned and managed by the owners’ company, MRX Yachting, and are chartered for a wide range of events, including corporate and industry regattas, national championships, women’sand youth racing.

“We had been keeping the engines in operation, but maintenance costs were rising and parts were getting harder to procure due to their age,” Trembath says.

The new engines are 19hp Volvo Penta D1-20 diesels with saildrives, replacing the slightly less powerful 18hp original units.

They are fresh-water cooled, as opposed to the old engines which were salt-water cooled, and have three cylinders and smoother running, so are more fuel-efficient.

They come with an industry-leading fiveyear warranty and will result in considerably reduced maintenance costs for the fleet.

www.ovlov.co.nz

Raymarine’s new LightHouse 4.1.75 operating system for Axiom displays and the RVX1000 RealVision 3D module boasts some real advantages for keen Kiwi fishers.

The new software package, which is free for Axiom owners to download, features improvements in diagnostic monitoring (including existing remote monitoring) and allows owners, installers and even L&B’s service team to tune the operating system for each

individual boat, either while on board or remotely, via Raymarine’s AnyDesk application.

Other enhancements include greatly improved diagnostic sonar recording and an expanded library of species-specific fish icons, making it easy to see at a glance what fish are likely to be caught at fishers’ favourite waypoints.

SHOP WITH US

At a top speed of 34 knots, the elegant PB55 maintains an unusually low profile in the water. And if you cast your eyes astern, you’ll observe she’s leaving precious little wake. The explanation for these phenomena is very simple.

Developed by ocean-racing champion Mark Richards and his team of naval architects, this unique combination of underwater geometry, exotic materials and build philosophy delivers unrivalled stability, comfort and fuel economy. You can hop on board and explore this beauty at PalmBeachMotoryachts.com