Issue date
ANZ Sail Fiji gets underway on Saturday 7 June at 1300 hours and the 20 strong racing fleet is all but ready to go.
Amongst the battle grounds there are 15 boats that will represent the Royal clubs for the Interclub Challenge, a trophy that hasn’t been contested for some time.
Royal Akarana Yacht Club and Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron are the two clubs able to fill a team of three from the fleet, and amongst those, five teams have been confirmed.
RAYC Commodore Matt Woodley, a crew member on board Steinlager 2 was excited with news that five teams would contest for the Interclub Challenge.
“We are thrilled that Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron are supporting ANZ Sail Fiji and we are excited to be able to announce such strong teams from each club from the fantastic line up of entries,” said Commodore Woodley.
The teams racing for the Interclub Challenge:
Royal Akarana Yacht Club Pahi Tere Team
- Giacomo – Volvo 70 (Jim Delegat)
- Akatea – Cookson 50 (Gary Lewis)
- Bullrush – Elliott 12 (Ant Robinson)
Royal Akarana Yacht Club Wilkinson Team
- Steinlager 2 – Maxi Ketch (Alistair Moore)
- Iemanja – Peterson 40 (Steve Henry)
- Blizzard – Farr 44 (John Miller)
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Red Team
- V5 – TP52 (David Nathan)
- Vamos – TP52 (Connel McLaren)
- Carrera – Marten 49 (John Meadowcroft)
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Blue Team
- Wired – Bakewell White 52 (Rob Bassett / Brett Russell)
- Crusader 35 – Elliott 35 SS (Anthony Leighs)
- Django – J/111 (Andrew Reid)
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Gold Team
- Lawless – XP44 (Laurie Needham)
- Surreal – Beneteau First 47.7 (Tim Holgate)
- Outrageous Fortune – Beneteau 45 (Quintin Fowler)
RNZYS Commodore Steven Burrett was as equally excited about the team’s event.
“Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is pleased to support Royal Akarana Yacht Club with three teams for the ANZ Sail Fiji Interclub Challenge. We see the way forward is to have clubs support each other in running these significant events to develop stronger and larger fleets and bringing together like minded sailors. RNZYS wishes all competitors safe and enjoyable sailing,” said Commodore Burnett.
Family, friends and supporters will be able to watch the race unfold via the live tracker and through the official website and Facebook page. Those at home can also support the fleet and their favorites by using #anzsailfiji on Facebook, Twitter and Instragram posts which will be updated via the social media feed interface.
With respectful banter on the surface, both clubs have an underlying desire to get their hands on the Interclub Challenge trophy (which is currently en route to Fiji). May the best “team” win!
Website – www.sailfiji.co.nz
Facebook – www.facebook.com/sailfiji
Tracker – www.sailfiji.co.nz/tracker
Social Media Interface – www.sailfiji.co.nz/social
