Georgis. Supplied image.
by Lesley Haslar and Zoe Hawkins
New Zealand took a much-enjoyed victory over the Aussies on home territory in the South Pacific Cup challenge as part of the 2010 Audi Hamilton Island Race Week during August.
New Zealand yachts Georgia, racing in IRC Grand Prix Division and Wired, racing in Performance Division One formed the New Zealand team to go up against two selected Australian yachts who were looking to defend the South Pacific Cup secured last year by the home team.
Jim Farmer’s new TP52 Georgia, winner of the New Zealand IRC National Championships for 2010 was up against Australia’s top TP52 Shogun.
Race Week offered nine races over seven days in the IRC Grand Prix Division. Consistency was the name of the game for Georgia, helmed by Jim Farmer and Chris Meads, with tactical support from America’s Cup veteran Chris Dickson.
In the 16 boat fleet, Georgia never finished lower than sixth, also clocking up a win and two other podium finishes in the week-long racing event. They placed second in the hard fought IRC Grand Prix Division.
“We had very good team work with very few mistakes,” says owner Jim Farmer. “This week the boat proved it is a very good all-round performer in all winds.”
Georgia’s adversary in the South Pacific Cup, Shogun, was ahead in only two races out of nine.
Rob Bassett and Brett Russell’s Wired, a Bakewell White 52 sailed off against Volvo Ocean 60, Nikon Spirit of the Maid in Performance Racing Division One in the trans-Tasman battle.
Wired blasted into 1st place in race one – no better way to set the standard. Another 1st on race day six with variable placings in the balance of races - on the high side most of the time. Nikon Spirit of the Maid (SPC adversary) was ahead of Wired in only two of the seven races.
Wired certainly displayed her skills with a good share of Line Honours. Her handicap was a cross to bear, but she still came up trumps with her series placing.
A podium finish for both: Georgia with a second in her division - Wired coming in third in her division. But the grand finale was the presentation of the South Pacific Cup – a satisfying win. New Zealand 20 points, Australia 28 *scoring based on one point for a WIN – two points for a LOSS.
There’s plenty of time for New Zealand to work on another top team to bring the cup back again to Kiwiland in 2012. You can bet the Aussies will have something special in mind to make it extra tough.
Georgia travels south to Sydney where it will take part in the Rolex Big Boat Regatta in December, and may decide to compete at Geelong Race Week in January, while Wired arrived back in New Zealand over the weekend.
Yachting New Zealand
