Kiwis versus Australia in Rolex Trophy – Kiwis 5-1

by Peter Campbell on 18 Dec 2004 New Zealand super maxi Konica Minolta made it 5-1 against her Australian arch-rival Skandia as the prestigious Rolex Trophy continued off Sydney Heads today.


Although Skandia gained the lead briefly in the second race of the day, Konica Minolta regained the lead to lead the fleet home in the longer race.




Since their first encounter in last year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, which Skandia won by a mere 14 minutes after 628 nautical miles, the New Zealanders have steadily improved their performance.




Refitted with a bowsprit to allow larger spinnakers to be hoisted and using a highly efficient water ballast system, plus having a crew of America’s Cup sailors, the Kiwi boat has been faster in every race of the current series.




Her one loss was when she shredded her spinnaker in race, something she did today but recovered to still take line honours.




This morning’s fifth race went to Targé on corrected time, but handicap results have not yet been announced for this afternoon’s longer race six which saw at least three boats involved in a starting line collision, among them Skandia, Targé and the Volvo 60, Andrew Short Marine.