Volvo 70 winner enters the Auckland Tauranga Yacht Race

by Sail-World.com/nz on 8 Apr 2014 Jim Delegat's Giacomo, the Volvo 70 and winner of the 2011/12 Volvo Ocean Race, has announced her entry into the annual International Paints Auckland to Tauranga Yacht Race beginning on Thursday 17th April at 1000hrs.

She will be racing under the burgee of the Royal Akarana Yacht Club.

With the unfortunate accident to Team Vodafone Sailing’s rig and hull eliminating Simon Hull’s Big Red flying machine from the race this year, Giacomo looks set for line honours and with a bit of luck from the weather gods, a very fast time.

Jim Delegat, Managing Director of Delegat Wines, producer of the wonderful Oyster Bay wine range, recently purchased the former winning 2011-2012 Volvo race winner, Groupama. He has since changed her name to Giacomo in honour of his grandfather, and given her a thorough and colourful make over under the guidance of well known Auckland sailing guru, Rodney Keenan, his 2IC. Her top crew for the race also includes former Volvo winner Steve Cotton (Boat Captain) and Chris Dickson.

Giacomo’s first race under the new ownership was the recent 2013 Boxing Day Sidney to Hobart Classic where she finished a very creditable sixth on line behind the Maxis Wild Oats X1 Perpetual Loyal and Ragamuffin. Giacomo tacked her way up the Derwent River in darkness to the finish line in a dogfight for fourth with Beau Geste, Karl Kwok's new 80 footer and the other Volvo, Black Jack, formerly Telefonica.

Interest is mounting in the fifty foot division as well with the anticipated entry of thoroughbred racers Wired, Akatea, Vamos, Kia Kaha and Mayhem.

The two Elliot 35’ Canters Bushido and Crusader are also racing in what will be a fascinating duel of high tech, medium sized very fast yachts.

There will be lots of little battles within the race, as rivals from way back put a small wager on the result to add a little spice to the outcome.

All entrants are welcome in Tauranga with a marina berth for security, a friendly welcome from club members with a pack of sponsor’s goodies, and a city that is inviting all crews, their families and friends to come and be enthralled by the jazz festival.

For a Notice of Race or other information, all interested parties are invited to go to the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat (TYPBC) website, www.yacht.org.nz or call the club secretary, Christine Headey at the club on 07 578 5512.