Spectacular performance by Bakewell-White maxi early in first race

by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/nz on 21 Nov 2014 The revamped Bakewell-White supermaxi, Rio 100 (Manouch Moshayedi) turned in an impressive performance in the opening stages of the Yates Cup.

Sailing against a variety of benchmarks which included a a Volvo 70, a Botin 80 and an ORMA 60, Rio 100 came from behind to enjoy an impressive lead over the monohulls after 90 minutes of sailing.

Rio got away to a slow start after a minor altercation with a smaller yacht at the start and was fourth as they rounded Rangitoto Beacon at the entrance to the Waitemata Harbour.

She soon popped a large reaching gennaker, to sail a much lower angle and faster speed than the other three yachts.

When the fleet came to the first intersection, Rio 100 was just astern of the ORMA 60 TeamVodafoneSailing and ahead of Beau Geste and Giacomo, formerly Groupama the Volvo 70 which won the last Volvo Ocean Race.

Two gybes later she was still sailing a very deep angle at a faster speed in winds of around 8-10kts and flat seas.

The 240nm race is expected to finish on Saturday, depending on whether the breeze stays trough the night.

Rio 100 will continue sea trialling in Auckland for the first days of next week. She will then leave for West Coast of USA where she will contest the next Transpac, with the objective of winning the Barn Door Trophy for the first manually powered yacht.

Originally the maxi yacht Zana, Rio 100 has been stretched to 100ft and with a new stern section added by the Cookson yard. She still retains her original Southern Spars mast which is only 400mm longer than that carried by the Botin 80, Beau Geste. Her new sails are from the Doyle Sails Auckland loft.

Rio 100 does not have a canting keel, or powered winches, and on other tighter legs of the course her performance agianst the canting keel boats will be watched with interest.