Two Handed Round North Island Race starts on Saturday

by Cameron Thorpe on 7 Feb 2014
The 2014 edition of the SSANZ Two Handed Round North Island Yacht Race supported by NZL Yachting Trust, starts at 2pm on Saturday eighth February off Devonport wharf.

This will be the seventh time SSANZ has conducted the Round North Island Race. The event has plenty of history behind it with Peter Blake and Martin Foster being the brains behind the original concept and running the first edition with Devonport Yacht Club. It is undoubtedly New Zealand’s premier Shorthanded Race.

This race, unlike almost other, has a very strong element of adventure. The camaraderie between competitors is fantastic with the major goal of getting everyone to the finish line. Completing your 'lap' is like an initiation to a special club. Many people are fascinated by the race and follow the boats progress in absolute awe. This year with yellowbrick trackers on every boat (viewable on www.ssanz.co.nz) keeping up to date with the fleet will be easier and better than ever before.

Every edition of this race typically sees a couple of standout performers, often not who you would expect. It’s not all about the fastest boat, with plenty of kudos going to 'the kiwi battler' with an average or older boat thats fighting for a handicap win. Amongst the competitors there is a wide range of goals, some are out solely to win, others are seeking to conquer their personal Everest but for most it will be one of their greatest challenges and adventure.

There are plenty of characters within the fleet and stories of challenges and sacrifices made even to get to the start line.