2014 North Sails NZ Young 88 Owners Nationals
After a successful 2013-2014 racing season in the South Island, a conversation started about maybe heading further afield to try our luck against some or the Auckland teams in their own back yard. There were a few options to consider but nothing really stood out as an opportunity until, after some friendly banter from both North and South Island crews, news came through that there was a Young88 we could borrow for the North Sails Owners Championship in Auckland.
Things moved pretty fast from there, Skipper Craig had a quick look aver Abracadabra during a flying visit to Auckland, the crew were chosen, the flights were booked, Flying Machine's new Main Sail was delivered directly to the host yacht club, Buckland Beach, and we were off.
The plan was to arrive in Auckland early on Friday morning, catch a large van Taxi to Westhaven Marina in central Auckland, load all of our gear onto the boat and then sail or motor the 9 or so miles to Bucklands Beach... then we could off load the gear, hank on the sails and go out for a practice/tuning run in the afternoon so we were ready to race on the Saturday.... Unfortunately no one thought to inform the weather department in Auckland as we arrived in Auckland to 35+ knots gusting higher.
Donning our wet weather gear we crept out of the marina into the gusting squalls of a yachtless harbour under motor and storm jib and thanked our lucky stars that at least we would be running with the wind and not crashing into it. The frequent showers added to the atmosphere as the call came through that Saturdays racing was called off due to the forecast getting even worse.
After a rough but uneventful trip we arrived at our destination to find a friendly reception from Lyall and his team who not only lent us his car to get our gear to the house we were staying in, he also opened the bar so we could get make sure that the beer was of to quality. It was a quiet night with plans to get the boat ready the next day and then head into the Viaduct Basin to see the Jim Young yacht and launch display that coincidentally was being held that weekend. We found a close watering hole and settled in for a strategy meeting before heading home to get some sleep.
Calling of the racing turned out to be a good decision as Saturday's wind was ferocious. We met for breakfast and then headed into town, rain and squalls still swept through with comments around why would we come to Auckland for some Wellington weather?! The boat display was impressive
Things moved pretty fast from there, Skipper Craig had a quick look aver Abracadabra during a flying visit to Auckland, the crew were chosen, the flights were booked, Flying Machine's new Main Sail was delivered directly to the host yacht club, Buckland Beach, and we were off.
The plan was to arrive in Auckland early on Friday morning, catch a large van Taxi to Westhaven Marina in central Auckland, load all of our gear onto the boat and then sail or motor the 9 or so miles to Bucklands Beach... then we could off load the gear, hank on the sails and go out for a practice/tuning run in the afternoon so we were ready to race on the Saturday.... Unfortunately no one thought to inform the weather department in Auckland as we arrived in Auckland to 35+ knots gusting higher.
Donning our wet weather gear we crept out of the marina into the gusting squalls of a yachtless harbour under motor and storm jib and thanked our lucky stars that at least we would be running with the wind and not crashing into it. The frequent showers added to the atmosphere as the call came through that Saturdays racing was called off due to the forecast getting even worse.
After a rough but uneventful trip we arrived at our destination to find a friendly reception from Lyall and his team who not only lent us his car to get our gear to the house we were staying in, he also opened the bar so we could get make sure that the beer was of to quality. It was a quiet night with plans to get the boat ready the next day and then head into the Viaduct Basin to see the Jim Young yacht and launch display that coincidentally was being held that weekend. We found a close watering hole and settled in for a strategy meeting before heading home to get some sleep.
Calling of the racing turned out to be a good decision as Saturday's wind was ferocious. We met for breakfast and then headed into town, rain and squalls still swept through with comments around why would we come to Auckland for some Wellington weather?! The boat display was impressive