Equinox - Just out of the Christmas wrapping

by Julie Sharpe on 2 Jan 2007 Anthony Dunn’s new Sydney 36CR Equinox, was delivered from the Azzura Marine Sydney Yacht factory by some of Santa’s helpers. The 32 year GME executive is new to the sport; this will be the first offshore race for him and a number of his mates.

Her rig went into the boat on Christmas Eve. With the experienced members of her crew, including Martin ‘Tacka’ Thompson and North Sails Julian Plante being involved in the Hobart race, it was late yesterday before she went for her first half hour sail.

Plante commented, ‘We were on a tight time schedule. It’s just as well that with the North Sails design technology, we deliver sails that are a perfect fit and shape, straight out of the sail bag.’

Thompson continued, ‘we will get the rig sorted on the way to start. This boat has asymmetric spinnaker, so there is no pole penalty. With this forecast we would love to have a jib top.'

Three hours into the race came this first report from Martin Thompson. ‘We are outside Secret Mens Business (Murray 42), 100 metres behind Eye Candy, (the Sydney 38 OD) and we are still ahead of the McConaghy 50 (Second Time Around) who had a messy start.

‘If the wind goes more east, that will disadvantage the boats inside us, but we will see what happens.

‘There is still quite a seaway. We have a TV on the bulkhead and a full surround sound system, but I don’t think it will get used tonight. The guys have taken their seasick pills and they are facing a night on the rail.'