Yachting News 6th March 2011
Getting a bit messy in Napier
Wild Days Rum Tours on Waiheke Island – more details here
Greetings yachties,
In this issue:
Jessica Watson 2011 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race – website here,
Sodebo at Cape Horn,
Sailrocket 2,
Tony Rae – medic,
RC 44 in San Diego,
Leg 4 RNI – 3rd mast down, more here,
Sail-World NZ – latest issue here,
Sail-World Asia – latest issue here,
Sail-World USA – latest issue here,
Sail-World Australia – latest issue here,
Sail-World UK – latest issue here,
Enjoy
Young Australian of the Year Jessica Watson has announced she will race in the 2011 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and will skipper the youngest crew to ever compete in the iconic event.
Titled another Challenge she announced the exciting project at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia on March 10th in front of a large media contingent.
After conquering some of the most treacherous oceans to become the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world, this next challenge will see Jessica skipper a crew of 10, all of whom will be 21 or younger – making them the youngest crew ever to compete in the famous race, with an average age of just 19.
The minimum age to compete in the event is 18 and Jessica will reach this landmark on 18 May – in just over three months time.
“I am so excited to announce this project today. It has been a busy process selecting our crew, but I am absolutely delighted to be working with such a dynamic and motivated group of young sailors,” said Jessica.
“We have just spent a week training together in Melbourne and getting to know each other and everyone has bonded so well.”
Jessica wants to inspire other youth around Australia, to strive to achieve. It is a unique opportunity for these 10 individuals.
Jessica has chosen the boat, aptly named another Challenge, a Sydney 38, which will again be painted in her trademark pink, which will be sure to stand out on the Harbour come race day.
The project is a massive undertaking that will provide many challenges for Jessica & her crew. They will gather together again in Sydney in October to embark on an intensive 12 week campaign leading up to the event. The crew seek to be competitive in the Sydney 38 OD division and compete for handicap honours, depending on weather patterns
Another famous young name joining the crew is Mike Perham from the UK, another solo circumnavigator.
New Vestas Sailrocket 2 aims for speed sailing record
The Sailrocket team launches its second-generation speed sailing boat from the Isle of Wight on 8 March, 2011. Vestas Sailrocket 2 is designed to be significantly faster than its predecessor, with the ultimate aim of breaking the ‘Outright World Speed Sailing Record’.
“When I talked to my wife Linda about my plans she thought I had lost the plot, because I have been away from it for so long. But the Volvo is so different. I have been offered the opportunity to do just one leg on previous Volvos, but it never appealed. I’d rather it be all or nothing … get in right from the very start and do the whole race. You get so much more out of it.
“The people have changed, the boats have changed and these different challenges make it interesting. And being a Team New Zealand project makes it pretty special.
“I am looking forward to learning the different skills needed to sail a Volvo Open 70, as opposed to America’s Cup sailing where you are focused on particular area. This time I’ll be running the safety side, the medic side, then trimming one minute and driving the next, as well as doing a bit of cooking. It’s a whole new lifestyle for while a guess. Perhaps I will get it out of my system this time. Maybe.”
US 100 footer to challenge Wild Oats XI for Hobart line honours
The canting-keeled US 100-footer Rambler 100 will seriously challenge Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats XI’s line honours supremacy in this year’s Rolex Sydney-Hobart race.
George David will send his innovative maxi, which was originally named Speedboat, to Australia at the end of a busy campaign in the Caribbean, Rolex Fastnet race and the Mediterranean circuit.
Her strong crew that will include Australians Mick Harvey, who is also the boat’s project manager and legendary bowman Justin (“Juggy”) Clougher, both now based in Newport, Rhode Island.
Harvey, from Port Lincoln, has spent most of his working life on the US professional circuit in managerial as well as crewing roles, including Dennis Conner’s America’s Cup campaigns.
more later..
