Doublehanded in NZ

The craze for doublehanded offshore racing continues down under in February

Following the success of the biggest-ever Simrad Barrier Triple Series in winter 2005, the Short Handed Sailing Association of New Zealand has announced a new, one-time-only event to take place on Waitangi Weekend, February 3-5, 2006.

The Waitangi Two-Sail Enduro is designed to test the courage, endurance and navigational skills of two-handed sailing teams.

Courses vary in length from 70 miles to 170 miles, with skippers selecting whether they wish to depart on Friday night for a longer course, or Saturday morning for a shorter one. The start line is at Orakei Wharf in Auckland and the finish line is off Kawau Island. Post-race festivities will take place at Lidgard House, at Kawau Yacht Club in Bon Accord Harbour.

“We designed the courses to offer challenging scenarios,” says SSANZ Chairman Cameron Thorpe. “Many of our biggest races from Auckland are straight line drag races but these courses have a number of distinct legs so that the boats will be tested on all points of sail, and of sufficient distance to make it worthwhile for shorthanded crews to fly spinnakers and extras.”

The longhaul course for bigger boats takes in Channel Island, Cuvier Island, the Mokohinaus, Groper Rock, Sail Rock and Flat Rock, while the shorthaul and cruising fleet race to the Cow and Calf off the Coromandel, passing Gannet Rock off Waiheke, Flat Rock, and Tiri Passage. Boats under 26’ will race to Kawau via the bottom end of Waiheke and Tiri-Tiri Island.

More than 130 boats participated in the SIMRAD Barrier Triple Series in winter 2005, a three race series culminating in a course that takes the fleet around Little Barrier Island.
“Short handed racing is one of the fastest growing sectors of racing in New Zealand, sailors enjoy the challenge of being pushed every mile of the course, as well as a great sense of achievement in successfully sailing around a course with so few crew,” says Thorpe.

For more information and entry details visit www.ssanz.co.nz