Mean Machine bound for Europe

Peter de Ridder's 22nd race boat complete

Nerves, excitement and lots of extra-special care in the extreme have been the order of the day at the Salthouse shipyard in New Zealand as the build- team prepared for the departure of their brand new Mean Machine TP 52.

On Friday Mean Machine history was made as their new Rolf Vrojlik designed TP 52, number 22 in Peter de Ridder’s Mean Machine family, left the Salthouse's in special transport, bound for Auckland's port.

The brand new TP 52 left the shipyard wrapped up to the nines in order to protect her on her passage to Europe. The mast and other essential equipment for the upcoming European season, as well as a container were also loaded onto the cargo ship, alongside the new hull.

With the new TP 52 safely loaded aboard the cargo ship taking her to Europe, now the time has come for the shore crew to make their way to Belgium, where the ship is due to unload. In mid-April Mean Machine will head to Valencia by road.

Five months of hard work have now come together with the brand new Mean Machine, ready to take part in what's set to be the toughest TP 52 season yet, with the Audi MedCup and the TP 52 Global Championships in Puerto Calero, Lanzarote ahead.

This season Peter de Ridder and his Mean Machine team will be looking to regain their 2006 MedCup title and to improve on the third place they managed at the TP 52 Global Championships last year.