Auckland-Suva Race a phenomenal success

by Jodie Perkins on 13 Jun 2005 The NZL Yachting Trust 2005 Auckland - Suva Race has been a huge success.

Ray Haslar’s 35-foot Jive Talkin wowed everyone with its sensational performance, scooping the prize haul at yesterday's prize-giving, while earlier last week, maxi yacht Konica Minolta smashed the race record by over a day.

Around 500 people gathered at the Royal Suva YC last night to celebrate the successes of this year’s renowned Auckland – Suva offshore yacht race.

Skippers, crew, families, race organisers and local officials were present for the official prize giving.

Jive Talkin was the star of the show. The 35 footer, designed by Laurie Davidson, appeared out of the fog to cross the Suva finish line only an hour after Peter Blake’s former Whitbread maxi, Lion New Zealand.

Eighth boat into Suva, they took out the race in both ORC Club and PHRF handicap divisions. Haslar has a long and illustrious sailing career, ranging from double-handed dinghy sailing through to offshore racing; his victory in this race yet another to add to his list.

Race organiser Fendall Halliburton described the mood of Jive Talkin’ owner and skipper thus; 'Ray Haslar had a grin from ear to ear. Traditional Fijian handicrafts were awarded at the prize giving and Haslar walked away with a couple of great ‘neck-breaker’ clubs.

'To see them arrive only an hour after Lion was quite something. Ray reported a top speed of 21.6 knots in the last 24 hours to the finish line. He gave credit to Kevin Dibley Yacht Design for a new rudder and keel. He says the boat performed superbly.'

Early last Wednesday, the arrival of Konica Minolta, a stunning one day three hours and 55 minutes ahead of the race record set in 1989 by Future Shock, was cause for celebration for owner Stewart Thwaites.

The Bakewell-White designed 30-metre yacht formally known as Zana, now holds both the Auckland to Noumea and Auckland to Suva records.

Thwaites' performance was especially sweet after Konica Minolta was forced to retire while in the lead of last year's Sydney – Hobart race due to structural damage sustained in heavy weather.

Further interest surrounded the arrival of Lion New Zealand. Crew included two cameramen, a sound technician and a TV producer.

The former Whitbread yacht, now owned by Auckland based tourism charter venture Sail NZ, carried a group of rookie sailors trained to take on the 1140 nautical mile race. With help from experienced yachtsmen, they sailed the race under the spotlight of a film crew.

Starting in south-westerly tail winds of around 30 knots, the race threw a range of conditions at the entire fleet.

One Step Beyond, skippered by John Lidgard, lost her rudder in the latter stages of the race and was escorted into Suva under jury rudder with all crew safe and well.

The race’s only single-handed entry, Skiddy Too, sailed by Bretten Holland, arrived at 4:15pm Saturday. Holland, who has sailed the Tasman single-handed twice, celebrated his 33rd birthday at sea during the race.

Reflected by the 38-strong fleet, key sponsor of this year’s event, NZL Yachting Trust, is pleased with the great support received from the New Zealand keelboat community.

Fifty years of offshore racing between Auckland and Fiji was celebrated this week and race organizers and sponsors are keen to ensure that offshore racing continues to appeal to New Zealand’s keelboat owners.