Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

America's Cup- NZ Rigging drops the Big Boat's mast into cafe alley

by Richard Gladwell on 2 Jul 2013
NZ Rigging start the mast extraction from KZ-1 - KZ-1 Mast removal July 1, 2013 Richard Gladwell www.photosport.co.nz

KZ-1, The Big Boat of the 1988 America's Cup fame is now on permanent display outside the Maritime Museum, and forms the predominant landmark on the Auckland waterfront.

After 18 years had lapsed, since the 1988 America's Cup Challenger had her rig checked fully, and the Maritime Museum turned to NZ Rigging to undertake the tricky task. (Maybe they had read of the great deal NZ Rigging are offering of a complete rig assessment for $150!)

Lifting the skyscraper sized spar from the 130ft yacht is no easy task in normal circumstances, let alone when the area is surrounded by a coterie of fine restaurants and cafes which remain open during the exercise.

Then the rig and massive spreaders had to be lowered into a narrow road (yes, it just fitted), before being stripped and taken by road to Hobsonville, west of Auckland for a thorough check. The task started at 8.30pm and the spar had to be off the road by 6.00am.

Sail-World was on site for the first few hours of the operation and filed these images of the night's work for Richard 'Bart' Bearda and the team from NZ Rigging.












North Sails Loft 57 PodcastHenri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeHyde Sails 2024 - One Design

Related Articles

Rolex Fastnet Race: IRC Two Preview
With 73 entries in IRC Two, the Rolex Fastnet Race is set to deliver a striking display. Could two new JPK 1050s upset the apple cart in IRC Two? Jean-Pierre Kelbert has a habit of breaking the mould in IRC racing, and his new 34-footer may well be a game changer in this competitive division with 73 entries.
Posted today at 10:36 am
Seldén Rodkicker 50 - manual rigid vang
Specifically sized for yachts between 50 and 55 feet A Rodkicker rigid vang is designed to enhance sail handling during reefing and allows for greater sail trim control.
Posted today at 8:00 am
WASZP Games 2025: Talent & fun descend on Weymouth
Poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history The 2025 International WASZP Games, set to take place from July 19–25 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, are poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history.
Posted today at 7:23 am
Transpac 2025 Update: Moon River Tonight!
The magic of offshore racing in the 2025 Transpac A vast ocean separates Los Angeles, California, from Honolulu, Hawaii, but the boats racing in this year's Transpac have now crossed the halfway mark. Race leaders are in the tradewinds and making their approach to the Aloha State.
Posted today at 12:26 am
20 Canadians set for Long Beach Grand Slam Event
The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta will be held July 12-20 20 Canadian sailors will take part in the fourth and next-to-last event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series, the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta, to be held July 12-20 at one of the two Olympic venues for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Posted on 10 Jul
All smiles among first finishers of the AEGEAN 600
The fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion As the fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion and made their way to the harbour at Olympic Marine, there were exhausted smiles all around.
Posted on 10 Jul
British Classic Week day 4
It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for the OneSails inshore race It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for day 4 of British Classic Week with hot temperatures, sunshine and no breeze in the morning before the sea breeze kicked in from the west and it was time to go racing.
Posted on 10 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 5
Finalists locked in for new Medal Series format With the sea breeze stubbornly refusing to make an appearance, Day 5 of the iQFOiL World Championship turned into a long waiting game both ashore and on the water.
Posted on 10 Jul
Jazz Turner Video Interview
How she Faced Everything And Rose during Project FEAR I travelled to Brighton Marina to catch up with Jazz, talking about her own sailing, the challenges she faced during the circumnavigation, how the money raised will be used, and a glimpse of her future projects!
Posted on 10 Jul
America's Cup: Luna Rossa to sail for Naples club.
Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest the next America's Cup as the team of a Naples club. Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest its seventh America's Cup as the team of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia of Naples, as club that is new to the America's Cup.
Posted on 10 Jul