2010 Fitzroy Yachts Solo Tasman Challenge - November News

by Lindsay Wright on 2 Dec 2009 The 11th singlehanded transTasman yacht arce from Port Taranaki (New Plymouth) to Mooloolaba, Queensland sets sail on 4th April 2010. there are 23 entries, including seven Australians and two women, the biggest fleet ever.

Here's the November Update:

WITHDRAWALS & ENTRY -
Tim Jones (Aus), has withdrawn Wideload from the race and likewise Peter McCorquodale (Aus),
who was to have sailed Torquil.

Rick Morgan, sailing his 12.47m composite sloop, Dream Lover, has entered. Entries now stand at 23.
Details at www.solo-tasman.org.nz

TRAVEL PLANS -
New Plymouth House of Travel has generously come on board with an offer to fly two committee
members to Brisbane to officiate at the finish line. In appreciation, the committee strongly urges race skippers, family, friends and supporters to book their air travel through the agency. The race finishes at school holiday time, when transTasman air fares are at a premium, so we urge everyone to book early for the cheapest fares by contacting :
rdillon@hot.co.nz
Ph +64 6 759 5980).

SHIPPING CONTAINER –
The folk at Swire Shipping are also keen to back the race and have offered to ship a container of cruising gear to Brisbane, free, for people who plan to cruise the Australian coast after the race. Boats coming from
Australia for the race start are advised to bring dinghies and ground tackle (anchors etc) and will be able to ship them back.

It’s a formidable logistical exercise, so it’s imperative that those who will be taking advantage of this generous offer,
contact Lindsay with an estimate of what they will be shipping, as soon as possible….or they’ll be carrying it aboard with them for the race.

Shipping worldwide is suffering from the recession and this is an incredibly open hearted gesture from Swire Shipping (formerly Tasman Orient Line). They provide cost effective shipping throughout Asia and the world –
shipping with them is supporting the race.

Earlier this year Swire Shipping celebrated the beginning of their New Plymouth to Australia service calling at Melbourne, Port Kembla and Brisbane. The service has been well received and support is growing.

For information on Swire Shipping
visit www.swireshipping.com or
their Region Key Account Manager
Ian Munro on 029 4987603

ARMS RACE –
The pressure’s on to prepare Steven Arm’s new 11.9m Chamberlin catamaran for the race. As yet unnamed, the boat ought to spend the race barking at the heels of his cousin Bruce’s 14m Chamberlin, Big Wave Rider.

Bruce, who is in Waitara (near New Plymouth) helping finish the new boat, is doubling as project manager and advisor to solo circumnavigator, Jessica Watson and did the race in 1998 with the 9.4m Muir monohull, Skiddy Too, racing against multihull designer Robin Chamberlin in his catamaran Excess. Bruce was back in 2007, sailing
a prudent (but successful) race in the brand new Big Wave Rider.

The gloves are off for 2010 however and the Arms family have their eyes firmly fixed on the on the 6d 8h 50m
race record set by Ian Johnston sailing Bullfrog Sunblock in 1986. There’s also talk of a crack at the 5d 19h Sydney – New Plymouth sailing record on the delivery trip over for the start.

OLD HANDS – another 1998 race entrant who’s back for the 2010 event is Aucklander, David Tiller, sailing his self designed and built 10.6m composite sloop Truxton.

MOORINGS - the committee has obtained 20 cement mooring blocks of 0.91m3 each (about two tonnes).
These will be in deployed in March and skippers will be asked to sign a disclaimer absolving Port Taranaki Ltd
and the race committee from liability for any damage to their vessels.

OLD HANDS – another 1998 race entrant who’s back for the 2010 event is Aucklander, David Tiller, sailing his self designed and built 10.6m composite sloop Truxton.

Ian Johnston and Cathy Hawkins, who made such a formidable sailing duo in Bullfrog Sunblock, maintain an interest in the race and were in New Plymouth for the 2007 race start. They are now building boats in Howden, Tasmania.
Joe Davison, who competed in the 1974 and 1978 races (White Heron) and 1990 race in Seabird and has served for years as Port Taranaki yacht safety inspector, is nearing 80 and has decided to put Seabird, which he designed and built himself, on the market. After the 1990 race finish, Joe just kept on sailing..on round the world and returned home to New Plymouth from the other direction after a circumnavigation.

BUREAUCRATIC LOGIC – New Zealand skippers taking their boats offshore for the first time, will be aware that they need at least Part B ships registration costing $426 for five years duration. There is however, an option. They can apply for temporary registration, for the duration of the race only – for a mere $599. Go figure…


All best with preparations.
Lindsay Wright,
Secretary,
2010 Fitzroy Yachts Solo Tasman Challenge Committee,
New Plymouth, New Zealand.