Live Ocean Racing: Broken rudder costs Kiwis dearly on final day of racing

Live Ocean Racing - ETF26 - Trinité-sur-Mer - Day 4 - April 10, 2023 © Live Ocean Racing

Live Ocean Racing - ETF26 - Trinité-sur-Mer - Day 4 - April 10, 2023 © Live Ocean Racing

The new combination Live Ocean Racing team have finished the opening regatta of the ETF26 SERIES in 5th place after a final day of highs and lows from the racetrack.

The last day of Spi-Ouest Regatta in Trinité-sur-Mer, France produced epic sailing conditions with strong offshore winds and flat water. Five races were completed in the ETF26 fleet and Live Ocean Racing started the day with a race win.

In the second race of the day Live Ocean Racing were leading coming into the finish when their boat's rudder snapped off. Unable to finish that race the team were straight into repair mode with the aid of the Finnish team who weren't competing today.

Resilience to the fore and the team were back up and running for the two final races of the regatta.

Led by Liv Mackay the team included new members Serena Woodall and Seb Menzies, with Katja Salskov-Iversen filling in for Alex Maloney who was competing in Mallorca, Spain in the 49erFX.

Through the course of the four-day regatta Live Ocean Racing recorded seven top three finishes. Mackay is really happy with how they performed in their first event together.

"The team pushed hard. It really felt like we were racing and competitive straight away so it's really exciting," says Mackay.

"We had only a few days together coming into this, so the team has learnt super quickly. It's been really fun, and everyone's been really helping each other learn and develop."

Competing for the first time in the ETF26 class Seb Menzies says; "Overall it's been a massive learning week for us. We've learnt heaps and gone from strength to strength each day."

The regatta win went to French team Teampro.

The next event for Live Ocean Racing is Raid Quiberon from May 31 to June 3, 2023 in France.

Live Ocean Racing - final day results

Race 16 - 1st Race 17 - DNF Race 18 - DNS Race 19 - 5th Race 20 - 4th

Overall position: 5th Full results here evenements.ouest-france.fr/spi/accueil/resultats

How to follow the action:

@itsliveocean on Instagram for Live Ocean Racing updates Regatta website here evenements.ouest-france.fr/spi

The 2023 ETF26 Series will comprise of five European based events:

• Spi Ouest-France / April 7 to 10, 2023 / La Trinité sur Mer (France)
• Raid Quiberon / May 31 to June 3, 2023 / Quiberon (France)
• Foiling Week / June 28 to July 1, 2023 / Lac de Garde (Italy)
• Grand Pavois La Rochelle Foiling Event / September 20 to 23, 2023 / La Rochelle (France)
• Grand Prix Foiling Mar Menor / October 4 to 7, 2023 / Los Alcazares (Spain)

About Live Ocean Racing:

Live Ocean Racing is a New Zealand racing team committed to action for the ocean. Established by Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, Live Ocean Racing will bring together a talented and diverse team to compete at the highest level. With innovation and purpose baked into our DNA, we race on and for the ocean.