SSAA 2000 TrANZ Tasman Race öSydney to Auckland
Start ------Watsons Bay 1200 hrs 13th May
The SSAA TrANZ Tasman started in clear skies from Watsons Bay inside Sydney Heads, as per program at noon on the 13th May 2000, clearing South Head 12 minutes later.
The yachts were farewelled by a clutch of well-wishers and family, putting to sea in a friendly nor-easterly breeze. Unfortunately the breeze was not quite free enough to crack shy spinnakers on the 90 degree T rhumb line to North Cape, the optimal landfall at the north end of New Zealand some 1005 nautical miles away.
The weather systems in place and in prospect looked benign. I began to wonder if leaving for Auckland by air the following Thursday morning would be early enough to greet the leading boats at the finishing line at North Head, Auckland.
The fleet.
Initial indications were that a couple of Sydneyās Open 60ās would be on the starting line but time and circumstances removed these glamour boats from the fleet. Kanga Birtlesā Open 60, ĪMagna Dataā, which won the last race in record time was to be a starter but was sold just prior to the race and the new owner has different plans for this yacht. John Biddlecomās recently launched ĪRSLCOMā was likewise planning to start in the race but time was not sufficient for necessary preparations. Time limitations also caused Peter Bushās ĪKidnappedā to be a non-starter.
A fleet of five not too dissimilar yachts on the line comprised÷
Kakadu, 13.9m loa steel cruiser÷Robin Margo and Ian Hamilton
Pacific Breeze, 11.66m loa (Farr 11.6)÷Bruce Hitchman/Robert Alpe
Revs, 11.98m loa÷Murray deLacey/Rolf de Gruyter
Sayernara, 12.96m loa÷Rob Drury/Drew Spring
Solo Globe Challenger, 13.27m loa (Cole 43) ----Tony Mowbray/Hugh Brodie
"Solo Globe Challenger arrival for customs clearance - smiles all round"
Sayernara and Revs, more of a racing variety than the remainder of the fleet could be expected to be first home. Experience however has shown that the Tasman, being a historically tough crossing, levels the field to a large extent as factors other than outright boat speed come into play.
Reasons for entering the race were varied---
- Robin Margo with Kakadu, a comfortable steel cruiser, was keen to test himself and his yacht for possible future horizons beyond the Tasman.
- Tony Mowbray with Solo Globe Challenger---this was a shakedown trip for Tonyās solo non stop unassisted circumnavigation due to commence from Sydney in September 2000.
- Rob Drury in Sayernara, recently home from his victory in the 1999 Melbourne to Osaka was keen to hit the ocean again, and try a single handed return to Sydney, to be his first single handed voyage.
- Murray deLacey in Revs, was looking for a good event to return his yacht to NZ. The option of cruising back to Auckland didnāt appeal.
- Bruce Hitchman in Pacific Breeze÷this was to be Bruceās 99th Tasman Crossing (his first crossing was in the four masted barque ĪPamirāplus numerous crossing as a merchant seaman and Captain,)-give him the opportunity and you canāt keep him away from these waters.
The weather,
Starting in a light to moderate north to north easterly system the wind backed by the next day to give the fleet a slingshot start to the crossing. This favorable system persisted for the first 3 to 4 days with a westerly component, winds generally in the 20-35 knot range, enabling fast progress for the crossing.
Taking Sayernara as an index÷
start, noon to first sked at 1645 hrs VMG 36nm = 7.58 knts average
14-5-00, 1645 sked, VMG 251nm = 10.46knt average
15-5-00, 1645 sked VMG 207nm = 8.62knt average
16-5-00, 1645 sked VMG 216nm = 9.0knt average
Average speed over first 76.75 hours was 9.25knts
From this time onwards conditions grew progressively lighter, such that boats were struggling to find breeze to round North Cape and progress down the east coast to the finish in Aucklandās Hauraki Gulf. Sayernara was fortunate to catch what north/west breeze there was, to enjoy a brilliant scenic ride down the east coast before the breeze died. Kakadu had a particularly painful last 24hrs, twice having to anchor to hold position in the ebbing tide. Sayernara finished the race with an average speed of around 6.8 knts over the rhumb line in what can only be described as an unusually favorable crossing.
The finish,
Finishing times were taken in East Australian standard times (EST)
Sayernara 05-52-10 on 21-05-00 line honors
Solo globe Challenger 18-55-10 on 22-05-00
Revs 23-33-22 on 22-05-00
Pacific Breeze 04-37-17 on 23-05-00
Kakadu app 2300 on 24-05-00
The finish line extended from the southern face of North Head, across the Rangitoto channel to the Rangi North leading light. It has the advantage of being a Īnaturalā point of arrival in protected waters and easily found and identified, by night or day. The distance from the finish to Admiralty Steps, the point of customs clearance, is just enough to furl sails and Īcalm the nervesā with what ever takes your fancy, before facing the customs officers.
On arrival---our hosts
Previous SSAA Tranz Tas races had terminated in New Plymouth, timed to feed the single handed race from New Plymouth to Mooloolaba. This year however, the committee decided to change the destination port to Auckland following requests from various competitors. The Auckland destination provided the opportunity for some sight seeing of New Zealandās beautiful north-east coastline on the return trip home to Sydney. This was the prime interest in the Auckland destination, as well as the chance to visit Auckland and see the new facilities recently put in place for the just completed Americaās Cup. Additionally, Rob Drury had met the President of the SSANZ, Brian Murray, at the time of the 1999 Melbourne Osaka Race, and Brian had promised us a great reception should we terminate our race in Auckland. This promise was carried through to the extreme and what a great reception we received.
The SSANZ, with Brian Murray at the helm, work hand in glove with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron where short handed sailing has a strong and growing presence.
The SSANZ and the RNZYS provided an object lesson in welcoming and looking after the fleet on their arrival, tired from the race. They were an exceptionally warm and welcoming host club, generously providing their club vessel as a finishing boat and all competitors being given visiting membership and free use of all facilities. The SSANZ organised seven days berthing for all yachts on Westhavenās ĪAā marina, adjacent to the club and the SSANZ displayed outstanding generosity by insisting upon accepting the marina charges for the visiting yachts.
It was Brianās great idea to organise a Īwelcoming packā comprising fresh goodies of bread rolls, cheese, butter, fresh milk and fruit and a trusty six pack of Lion Red. His committee provided great support both in thought and action.
Short handed sailing is in the mainstream of NZ yachting activities and is wholeheartedly supported by the major clubs and in particular the RNZYS. They provide higher levels of performance for us to aspire to. Our thanks are very much due to Brian, to the SSANZ and to the RNZYS. We look forward, some day, to having the opportunity to reciprocate their warmth and hospitality.
"Post race debriefing on revs"
The future of the SSAA TrANZ Tasman Race
For future races the following has to be considered together with the history of the race. The race was initially founded to coincide with and act as feeder for Australian yachts wishing to participate in the New Plymouth to Mooloolaba single handed race held every four years.
- Timing------The SSAA and the race committee has a Īduty of careā to consider the most suitable weather conditions for a favorable crossing. In past years with the race held in March, cyclones have been encountered which have had devastating effects on those races. Weather patterns need to be thoroughly analysed to determine the most suitable months for a crossing.
- Destination port-- There can be no doubt that Auckland is the perfect destination port in NZ for this race. It offers access to quality shelter in the last 150 or so miles if needed, with a safe arrival port in almost any conceivable conditions. The yachting facilities are amongst the best in the world and the hospitality is outstanding
- Frequency------ Should the race be held every two, three or four years? Two years would allow tying in with the New Plymouth race, but then again the best month for the crossing may not be suitable to coincide with their start. The race has been held every two years in the past, but the number of starters has not been great---would a race every three years increase the number of starters? There is a train of thought in the committee that÷two years is too short, four years is too long, three years may be just right. The SSANZ hold a round North Island race every three years, should we coincide with this race?
- Return leg------ Arriving in Auckland in May allows cruising the beautiful NE cost of NZ prior to winter and the return trip to Sydney. Alternatively, there is an annual race departing Auckland for Fiji starting in late May. With careful planning of the TrANZ Tasman race, yachts from this race could enter the race to Fiji, and thereafter return to Australia as they choose.
It is time for a review of this race, the above factors to be considered. All the ingredients are there to potentially make this race a major event on the yachting calendar-----the Tasman is a challenge, the destination is perfect and it can tie in with various races starting in Auckland. Stay tuned for announcements of the next event!
David Willis O.O.D.