The first Tall Sail Ship Race in Southern Hemnisphere with Tall Ship Sail Training Association was completed this labour weekend in Auckland-started in Syney on 10.10.2013.Our Spirit of New Zealand covered 1,217 nautical miles during the race
It took 7 days, 22 hours and 32 minutes-(and lots of swearing,coffee,chocolate and some serious feeding of the fish)
Average speed of 6.39 knots.Other tall ships participating:Europa+Tecla+Oosterschelde from Netherlands,Lord Nelson from Britain,Picton Castle from Canada and Young Endeavour (Navy) from Australia.We came 3rd, Tecla=2.,Europa=1.all other ships resigned during the race( and yes we ‘beat the Aussies-they resigned on last day, but their crew was terrific).We were the only ship which had teenagers as trainees on board(aged from 17 to 25).All up I spent 21 days on the Spirit and the arrival in Akl was overwhelming-that included our Haunui waka on the Hauraki Gulf welcoming the fleet.Here are some photos.Be aware we had 4 Dunedin sailors on board-Tony,Steph,Hugh and myself!!!
Southern Tack Yachting News 