Newsflash- Systems Thunder takes line honours!

by RNZYS Media on 5 Jun 2008
Newsflash: Auckland to Musket Cove Ocean Race - Systems Thunder takes line honours!

21-Year Old Sloop takes line honours in 2008 Auckland to Fiji Ocean Race

21-year old Sloop ‘Systems Thunder’ (skippered by RNZYS Brian Ward) has finished and won line honours in this year’s Auckland to Musket Cove (Fiji) Ocean Race beating the favourites – V5, Wired and Pussy Galore – by 43 minutes.

The light conditions experienced over the last six racing days has suited the lighter and longer modern yachts but Systems Thunder found extra breeze and caught up to the leading bunch in the last couple of days.

'Absolutely thrilled' commented an elated skipper Brian Ward after crossing the finish line. 'The key to our success was having 6 crew onboard who all knew how to skipper the boat. Not bad for an old girl!'

Systems Thunder glided into the finish on 5th June 2008 at 12.21pm (standard time), 43 minutes ahead of Wired, closely followed by V5 and then Ran Tan II. Race favourite Pussy Galore finished 5th on line approximately an hour later.

In a 6-day race these top five boats have contributed to a nail-biting finish. A captivated audience of arm-chair sailors have closely followed the race online thanks to tracking specialists TracPlus Global, RUSH Digital and Satamatics who came onboard for the event – a first for a New Zealand offshore fleet race.

'We've thoroughly enjoyed being part of this fantastic event', says Mike Hanning, VP Marketing and Sales, TracPlus Global. 'We trust that through our technology, the added safety factor, and ability for everyone who wants to come along for the ride without getting wet or seasick, has helped to make these yachting events accessible to more fans.

TracPlus Global, RUSH Digital and Satamatics congratulate Systems Thunder and all other boats that have competed in this year’s event. We've learned a great deal from everybody involved and look forward to working with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron on future races to provide you all with a fantastic event and experience'.

The Auckland to Musket Cove Ocean Race is organised by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and commenced Saturday, 31st May. The race record of four days and eight hours is still held by 65ft Davidson racing yacht, Antaeus, who won the event in 1998.

The results as at 5th June 2008:

Systems Thunder 12:21:45
Wired 13:03:26
V5 13:10:55
Ran Tan 11 13:15:35
Pussy Galore 14:40:52

The 2008 Fleet:

1. PUSSY GALORE - Anatole Masfen
2. CARRERA - John Meadowcroft
3. PH PLUS - Jean Faugeres
4. BODACIOUS - John Toon
5. O'SINNERMAN - Tony Bierre
6. GO - Bill Endean
7. FULMAR - Steve Smith/Bryce Simpson
8. YOUNG AT HEART - Quintin Fowler
9. WIRED - Rob Bassett
10. BULLRUSH - Ant Robinson
11. BIRD ON THE WING - Brent Marshall
12. SYSTEMS THUNDER - Brian Ward
13. V5 - Simon Hull
14. SATELLITE SPY - Wade Lewis
15. SUPER SEVERANCE - Colin Harris
16. RAN TAN ll - John Meade
17. QUINTESSENCE - John Macdonald (cruising)
18. CELLINI - John Amoore
19. ELYSIUM - Humphrey Sherratt
20. SKIDDY TOO - Bretten Holland
21. REVS - Chris Hornell
22. LION NEW ZEALAND - Steve Gilmour
23. LIGHTSPEED - Neville Seeward