Tranz Tasman Yacht Race, Sydney-Auckland,

by Rob Drury on 22 Apr 2002 Tranz Tasman Yacht Race, Sydney-Auckland,
Starting Noon, Saturday 27th April 2002

At noon on Saturday Next, 27th April, eight yachts will cross the starting line in Watsons Bay for the double-handed Tranz Tasman Challenge, a biennial race from Sydney to Auckland organized by the Shorthanded Sailing Association of Australia.

In past years renown Australian yachtsmen and women who are members of the SSAA and have used this race as a stepping stone to greater challenges include David Adams, Tony Mowbray, Don McIntyre, Kanga Birtles and Kay Cottee for example.

All have gone onto notable circumnavigations and other yachting achievements. Who will arise to these heights from the competitors this year?

The eight yacht fleet this year includes extremes of the sport from two Minis to an Open 60. John Biddlecombe in his Open 60 'Liberty' is using this race as leg 1 on his journey to France to participate in various shorthanded northern hemisphere events.

The two minis are the first of this breed to be seen racing in Australian waters. New Zealander, Chris Sayer in 'Up the Blue' is preparing for his attack of the next Min Transat. At his first attempt in 1999 his result of third overall was an outstanding achievement.

Phil Bower from Wollongong in 'Wild Child' is likewise embarking on a Mini program which will probably take him to the European circuit. 'Sayernara', 'Spirit of Downunder', 'Anteater', 'Drina' and 'Touchstone' complete the fleet. All these yachts are known for their extensive offshore sailing successes so a good result is expected from all competitors.

Watching the fleet depart Sydney at noon on Saturday with the extremes of yachts in shorthanded mode will provide an interesting spectacle. Two Minis silhouetted against an Open 60 with a variety of length and type of yacht in between displays the extreme nature of this breed of yachtsmen.