TeamVodafoneSailing tearing out of the Waitemata. Image copyright Chris Lewis.
by Zoe Hawkins
Destination Fiji – warmer weather awaits TeamVodafoneSailing
All going well, TeamVodafoneSailing will treat New Zealand’s biggest offshore yacht race as a sprint, expecting to complete it in a matter of days.
The 1140 nautical mile race starts on 4 June from Auckland, and finishes in Musket Cove, Fiji.
Enroute the 60 foot trimaran, which is capable of sustaining speeds of up to 30 knots, could encounter anything the ocean chooses to throw at them.
But boat and crew are well prepared. Hundreds of thousands of sailing miles have been accumulated by the nine crew, which includes Owner and Skipper Simon Hull, Boat Captain Kevin Peet, Navigator Patrick O'Reilly, Paul (Casper) Murray, Stu (Disco) MacKinven, Ollie Scott-Mackie, Selby Howard, Paul O'Reilly, and Guy Hewson.
"We are excited about taking her offshore and getting into the rhythm of a longer race" says Simon. "It will also be great if we have Emirates Team New Zealand’s new Volvo boat, Camper, to chase to Fiji."
“This is going to be a really busy winter for the boat, and we are especially keen to show the Australians fleets how multis can go,” says Simon.
Fiji is the boat’s first stop in an offshore calendar that will take in the Sydney to Gold Coast Race, the RQYC Brisbane to Keppel Race, the Airlie Beach Race Week, and Hamilton Island Race Week, before TeamVodafoneSailing returns to New Zealand for the Coastal Classic and the New Zealand summer racing season.
TeamVodafoneSailing is also supported by Line 7, Predictwind.com, Seatrade, Fusion, Harken, Fineline, B&G, Steinlager, Safety at Sea and Wilde Media.
Followers can watch TeamVodafoneSailing in the start of the Auckland to Musket Cove Ocean Race, departing Viaduct Harbour around 10am, for a 12pm start off North Head on Sunday 4 June, and watch the progress on her Predictwind.com tracker at www.teamvodafonesailing.co.nz
