SSANZ add new 200 miler for ANZAC Weekend

by SSANZ Media on 8 Apr 2015 With the support of Chains Ropes and Anchors, SSANZ has initiated another event to tackle the growing need for more long distance shorthanded yacht racing. The ANZAC 200 race follows on from the successful 2014 Round North Island 2 handed Yacht race (RNI) and bridges the gap between the RNI and the popular SSANZ Safety at Sea Triple 2 handed series.

The original idea started from discussions about having a SSANZ qualifying event for the RNI race. All boats entered in the RNI race must have completed a nonstop 250nm qualifying voyage to be eligible for the RNI race. As the RNI is every 3 years we decided on a cycle of running two SSANZ events in the two years between the RNI with the first being a manageable 150nm and the second race having a leg over 250nm and a stopover with group restart. This should introduce teams to longer shorthanded sailing with stopovers and restarts and encourage more people to get out there. Once they have completed the Anzac 250 they are officially qualified to enter the RNI race.

We looked at dates, timing, courses and configurations and decided that we needed to have the race outside the busy summer racing calendar but before the winter racing starts. This also allows plenty of time for people to take their boats out of summer cruising mode and into winter race mode. Although it will be colder and darker at that time of the year, that’s all part of the challenge! The Triple series has proved that winter racing is popular with consistent fleets in excess of 140 boats. SSANZ will continue to have a long event every ANZAC weekend in between RNI races.

Originally we had planned for the race to have a leg home but decided against this to allow for boats based outside the Auckland region to go straight home from Great Barrier. There will be a rally home Sunday for the Auckland boats to a destination decided upon at the prize giving with a group restart. As Monday is a Public holiday there is plenty of time to get home.

Over the years the fleets have tended to grow in boat lengths, while this is good it does mean there are a mass of yachts that aren't out there that could be. So in an effort to help grow the smaller end of the fleets, as they were in the hey days, we have a special prize for the smaller end of the fleet as a extra encouragement to get out there do it.

In the ANZAC 200 there is a demountable alloy Excel Anchor up for grabs. This is a state of the art latest technology Super High Holding Power (SHHP) approved anchor that can be disassembled for storage. It is also lightweight as it's made out of hi tensile aluminium. It's worth near on $1000. To have a crack at scoring that prime piece of gear all you have to be is the length of a Farr 1020 (which is 10.34mts) or shorter and launched last century.

Entries look to be promising at this stage with interest from many boats of all sizes and styles. Don’t hesitate to contact one of the team if you have any questions about the event.

The format we chose for this race is a 5:30pm start off Westhaven. This allows for spectators and family to see the boats leave the dock and watch the start. A late start ensures a full night at sea followed by a full day on the water so sleep management becomes a factor. Two courses cater for yachts of all size and speed. A 150nm course around the Poor Knights, then Mokohinaus finishing at Great Barrier for the bigger boats and a 100nm course going around sail rock instead of Poor Knights for the smaller boats. Both finishing at Nagles Cove Great Barrier with a SSANZ committee boat on station (Farr 1220 Duty Free).

This should get most of the fleet finished Friday Night in time for a raft up and socialising. On Saturday teams can do their own thing or join in with some of the fun, such as an island pub tour in mini vans. Prize giving is scheduled for 5:30pm Saturday Night at the Port Fitzroy Boating Club and is looking to be a fun night.

More information on www.ssanz.co.nz