HSBC Premier Coastal Classic Entrant Profile

by Zoe Hawkins - for the HSBC Premier Coastal Classic on 18 Sep 2008 Richard Limbrick may be the principal of Arahoe Primary School in New Lynn but when it comes to his sport, he is a self-described ‘seat-of-the-pants, self-taught sailor’.

Richard owns Travellin’ Man, a modified SR26 boat complete with new keel and sails, including asymmetrical and symmetrical masthead and fractional kites. Despite her racing fit out, she also has a few creature comforts – including a galley, toilet and squabs for the bunks.

Together with his crew, he will be racing Travellin’ Man in the HSBC Premier Coastal Classic this Labour Weekend.

Richard lives in the North Shore, and races his boat both at Weiti Boating Club in Whangaparoa, and from Westhaven. In 2007 he won the challenging B&G SIMRAD Triple Two-Handed SR26 Division on handicap, and this summer he finished second in the open division of the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club single handed series. Fully crewed he finished fourth overall on handicap in the marathon Auckland to Tauranga race.

“Short handed racing is an aspect of sailing that I really enjoy,” he says.

The 2008 HSBC Premier Coastal Classic is Richard’s eighth Coastal– he did three in another boat he built up, ‘Crikey Dick’, and one in ‘Ben Gun’.

Despite his experience Richard says the Coastal will always throw up a challenge or two: “Travellin’Man is a quicker ride but we have yet to sail a perfect race.”

Travellin’ Man will race in Division 5. “The other SR26s and hotrods are nice to beat, but we’re always hoping to pass the boat in front!” says Richard, who is looking forward to a rematch with Train Smash, which dropped its rig off the Hen and Chicks last year.

The 119 nautical mile HSBC Premier Coastal Classic starts from 10am on Friday 24 October off Devonport Whart in Auckland and finishes off Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands. As well as welcoming back principle sponsor HSBC, the HSBC Premier Coastal Classic is supported by some of New Zealand’s pre-eminent marine companies: Donaghys Southern Ocean, Harken, www.line7.co.nz!Line 7, www.cooksonboats.co.nz!Cookson Boats and Sail NZ, as well as the Duke of Marlborough Hotel, Steinlager, Maxxium, the Sunday Star Times, Trade-A-Boat magazine, De Walt, Dirty Dog and Yamaha Motors NZ.

The race website, www.coastalclassic.co.nz will be updated throughout the event with radio positions, photos, messages from boats and commentary.