2010 Solo Tasman Yacht Race attracts real interest

by Lindsay Wright on 24 Sep 2007
The Solo Tasman 2010 – is starting to get a familiar ring to it already.

Amongst the 2007 race competitors who have already declared their intention to sail the next race are: John Burns (Panther), Alan Yardley (ADC Mephisto), Bruce Arms (Big Wave Rider), Ralph Millen is talking about sailing solo this time in Moonrise, Keith Munro (Timelord) and Ian Lillie (Island Girl).

We’ve also had an enquiry from Ken Carter who is refitting Digby Taylor’s former Whitbread racer Outward Bound, about doing the race as a lead in to the Melbourne Osaka race.

John is hoping to have Panther’s refit, some of which was done mid Tasman during the last race, completed by 2010…otherwise he’ll be asking for a special handicap to compensate for 4 sheets of plywood and 120kg of tools he’ll have on board.

Alan applied for matrimonial permission to buy a new, faster boat for the 2010 race, but was rudely rebuffed so he’ll likely be back in Mephisto, unless things improve in the meantime. Bruce should be the man to watch for the 2010 race. He should have the hang of the big pink pussy cat by 2010 and will be ready to do some hard sailing in her. His cousin Steven is pushing hard to get his new 11.8m Chamberlin catamaran completed in time and there’s talk of a proa being built on the East Coast for the race. The Tasman has never been crossed by proa.

Keith and Kevin have had some success (and done a fair bit of sailing…) in Timelord on the Australian coast and Keith flirted briefly with launch ownership but shafting problems brought him back to sailing. Ian and family have done some pretty extensive cruising on the Aussie coast…Timelord and Island Girl placed 9th and 12th respectively at Airlie Beach Race Week in the Cruising (Non – Spinnaker) Division.

Meanwhile Bill Byford and Pebble Rebel are still knocking around on the Queensland coast somewhere. Anthony Harrison had a few problems with Sussex Warrior heading east across the Tasman but arrived home OK.

Other would be sailors who entered the 2007 race, but didn’t make it to the start line, have expressed their interest in heading to Port Taranaki for the 2010 event. Peter Watt, with his classic 26’ Atkins Inga is one.

By popyular demand the 2010 Solo Tasman Race will be sailed under the IRC handicapping system. IRC is an economical, international formula for levelling the playing field between various types of monohull keelboats; from J boats to J24’s and race entrants will be required to arrive at Port Taranaki with a current and valid IRC certificate. Full details are available from www.yachtingnz.org.nz.

The Race Website: www.solo-tasman.co.nz, is currently being overhauled by Alan Yardley and should re-emerge as a more user friendly, colourful and attractive source of information about the race.

Race Committee: – the race committee for 2010 has experienced a few changes. Trevor Knowsley has resigned as treasurer and his position is yet to be filled. Ron Scott has replaced Wayne Sattler as chairman and Wayne will continue as committee member. Ron is a keen sailor with a wealth of administrative skills and experience.

Ian Arms has joined and brings some great sailing experience, knowhow and practical skills to the committee as does Lance Girling Butcher who has also joined. Lindsay Wright will continue as secretary and Harley Watts is taking over from Joe Davison as principal yacht inspector. Joe says he’s just upwind of 80 years old and drifting towards it like a yacht with a jammed furling gear on a lee shore in a gale, so it was time to call it quits after decades of great experience as Port Taranaki’s YNZ Safety Inspector.

Planning is afoot – for a 100 berth marina at Port Taranaki. A rock breakwater extending NW from the reclamation on the east side of the harbour will create a sheltered small boat haven – and enable future Solo and shorthanded Tasman races to field even larger fleets.

Mooloolaba and Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce didn’t come good on their offer to subsidise AQIS clearance fees but they have promised that the club premises ownership dispute will be settled by October (Yeah….right…) and more assistance will be forthcoming from that end.

All best,

Lindsay Wright,
Secretary,
2010 Solo Tasman Yacht race Committee,
62 Bayly Road,
New Plymouth.