Konica heads for Sydney

Rolex Sydney Hobart line honours challenge en route for Australian regatta season

The 60th Anniversary Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race line honours challenger, super maxi Konica Minolta (ex- Zana) is expected to arrive from New Zealand and sail through Sydney Heads on Sunday 21 November.

The 98ft yacht, owned by New Zealand businessman Stewart Thwaites, left Auckland on 16 November and is coming to Sydney to contest line honours in the Rolex Sydney Hobart in which she was beaten last year by just 14 minutes by Grant Wharington’s equally sized maxi Skandia.

Konica Minolta is returning to Sydney after a packed year of offshore racing in which she, amongst other wins, broke the 2004 Auckland to Tauranga race record by two hours to become the first yacht ever to complete the course in less than 10 hours, smashed the record for the biannual 2004 Auckland to Noumea yacht race by 42 hours, took line honours in the 2004 Ingles Sydney Gold Coast Race, and most recently was first across the line in the 2004 Auckland Coastal Classic.

Konica Minolta is the only super maxi taking part in all three lead up regattas being held in Sydney. She will compete in the Savills SORC Regatta on 27 and 28 November, the Canon Big Boat Challenge on 10 December, and the Rolex Trophy Series from 16 to 19 December, culminating in the 60th anniversary Rolex Sydney Hobart Race which starts Boxing Day, Sunday 26 December.