The former whitbread racer Lion New Zealand is moored off the Tauranga Yacht Club today and tomorrow, 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 from 10am till 4pm, and there is a cruise on Sunday evening.
Lion New Zealand moored off Sulphur Point today
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.
Lion New Zealand arrived from Gisborne about 6.30pm Friday, about six hours earlier than originally scheduled.
'It was good sailing,” says skipper Alistair Moore.
Skipper and crew are having the day off today. 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 3 days, 11 hours, 31 minutes, 21 seconds in a race that saw only 46 of 151 starters finish.
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 about 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.

.jpg)

0 comments
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.