Iconic racer in port

The former Whitbread racer Lion New Zealand will be moored off the Tauranga Yacht Club this weekend, providing a rare opportunity for the Tauranga public to see one of New Zealand’s iconic yachts first hand.
She’s open for inspection by the public during an open day on Sunday, and there is a cruise on Sunday evening.

Lion New Zealand, second in the Whitbread race in 1985/6.

Entry to the yacht is by gold coin donation and the afternoon cruise will cost $20, says Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat club vice commodore Wayne Johnson.
Lion New Zealand takes part in the Auckland-Tauranga race every year says Wayne.
“This visit is part of the 25th anniversary tour round New Zealand,” says Wayne.
“She will be moored outside the club midnight Friday or Saturday morning. There will be an open day from 10am to 4pm on Sunday.”
The Tauranga visit is part of a round New Zealand cruise the veteran racer is undertaking following this year’s Sydney Hobart race.
Lion New Zealand was designed by Ron Holland as Peter Blake’s entry in the 1985/86 Whitbread.
She was completed in time to enter the Sydney to Hobart race on Boxing Day 1984.
It was a gruelling race that year with only 46 of 151 starters finishing. Lion New Zealand took line honours after three days, 11 hours, 31 minutes, 21 seconds.
In the 2009 Sydney Hobart raced 25 years later, the 32 tonne Lion New Zealand took three days, 23 hours 49 minutes and three seconds to complete the race taking 40th place.
At 23.77m (78 feet) l.o.a., Lion New Zealand is twice the weight and about six metres shorter than the modern line honours contenders.   
The current tour started in Bluff on January 9 and will finish in Auckland on February 17.
The Lion Maritime Development Charitable Trust has designed the tour to incorporate a number of initiatives.
In addition to the public having the opportunity to view the yacht, speak with the crew and learn more about her racing history, the tour provides the opportunity for the public to find out more about their local sailing opportunities as well as to fundraise for local maritime related projects.
The Trust’s Youth Development programme was recently launched with the aim of providing valuable life skills through leadership training programmes onboard Lion New Zealand.