Issue date
Chains Ropes and Anchors SSANZ Anzac 200
With the support of Chains Ropes and Anchors, SSANZ has initiated another event to tackle the growing need for more long distance shorthanded yacht racing. The ANZAC 200 race follows on from the successful 2014 Round North Island 2 handed Yacht race (RNI) and bridges the gap between the RNI and the popular SSANZ Safety at Sea Triple 2 handed series.
The original idea started from discussions about having a SSANZ qualifying event for the RNI race. All boats entered in the RNI race must have completed a nonstop 250nm qualifying voyage to be eligible for the RNI race. As the RNI is every 3 years we decided on a cycle of running 2 SSANZ events in the 2 years between the RNI with the first being a manageable 150nm and the second race having a leg over 250nm and a stopover with group restart. This should introduce teams to longer shorthanded sailing with stopovers and restarts and encourage more people to get out there. Once they have completed the Anzac 250 they are officially qualified to enter the RNI race.
We looked at dates, timing, courses and configurations and decided that we needed to have the race outside the busy summer racing calendar but before the winter racing starts. This also allows plenty of time for people to take their boats out of summer cruising mode and into winter race mode. Although it will be colder and darker at that time of the year, that’s all part of the challenge! The Triple series has proved that winter racing is popular with consistent fleets in excess of 140 boats. SSANZ will continue to have a long event every ANZAC weekend in between RNI races.
Originally we had planned for the race to have a leg home but decided against this to allow for boats based outside the Auckland region to go straight home from Great Barrier. There will be a rally home Sunday for the Auckland boats to a destination decided upon at the prize giving with a group restart. As Monday is a Public holiday there is plenty of time to get home.
Over the years the fleets have tended to grow in boat lengths, while this is good it does mean there are a mass of yachts that aren't out there that could be. So in an effort to help grow the smaller end of the fleets, as they were in the hey days, we have a special prize for the smaller end of the fleet as a extra encouragement to get out there do it.
In the ANZAC 200 there is a demountable alloy Excel Anchor up for grabs. This is a state of the art latest technology Super High Holding Power (SHHP) approved anchor that can be disassembled for storage. It is also lightweight as it's made out of hi tensile aluminium. It's worth near on $1000. To have a crack at scoring that prime piece of gear all you have to be is the length of a Farr 1020 (which is 10.34mts) or shorter and launched last century.
Entries look to be promising at this stage with interest from many boats of all sizes and styles. Don’t hesitate to contact one of the team if you have any questions about the event.
The format we chose for this race is a 5:30pm start off Westhaven. This allows for spectators and family to see the boats leave the dock and watch the start. A late start ensures a full night at sea followed by a full day on the water so sleep management becomes a factor. Two courses cater for yachts of all size and speed. A 150nm course around the Poor Knights, then Mokohinaus finishing at Great Barrier for the bigger boats and a 100nm course going around sail rock instead of Poor Knights for the smaller boats. Both finishing at Nagles Cove Great Barrier with a SSANZ committee boat on station (Farr 1220 Duty Free). This should get most of the fleet finished Friday Night in time for a raft up and socialising. On Saturday teams can do their own thing or join in with some of the fun, such as an island pub tour in mini vans. Prize giving is scheduled for 5:30pm Saturday Night at the Port Fitzroy Boating Club and is looking to be a fun night.
The Future….
Long term SSANZ is considering running another Round New Zealand race in 2018. The ANZAC 200 will give people a solid lead up to the biggest sailing challenge there is in NZ. Starting with the ANZAC 200 this year, ANZAC 250 in 2016, RNI 2017 and RNZ 2018. It’s a program for the hard core sailors but would promise to deliver a challenge you would remember for the rest of your life.
Dates are out for the SSANZ Safety at Sea Triple Series
11th July, 8th August, 5th September. We have swapped the race order around to have the short race last to allow for some social activity after the last race. The idea of finishing the last race at Motuihe Island to allow for a raft up has been suggested.
Our aim at SSANZ is to increase the level of participation in the shorthanded and offshore racing scene in NZ. We always welcome feedback and your ideas to make the events better. We want to run races that people want.
About the SSANZ Committee
SSANZ has a very well rounded and experienced volunteer team behind the scenes to keep it running smoothly.
President Steve Ashley is always the voice of reason and really has actually ‘been there and done that’- not just once but several times. Chairman Cameron Thorpe shares many of the same stories but without quite as many grey hairs. Cam is the driving force behind the team.
Financials are taken care of by Maurice Parlane our treasurer who also keeps track of memberships, incomings and outgoings.
Andrew MackMurdie (Duty Free) is our Secretary and has the unenviable task of trying to take minutes in our meetings that often turn into sailing discussions and storytelling (plenty of sailing stories within the team!). Andrew does a great job of keeping us on track, completing the meetings in a structured way and getting the minutes distributed in a timely manner (occasionally).
The rest of the team consists of some well known names around the sailing scene:
Steve Newcome (Zen)
Jon Henry (currently absent, gallivanting around the world on his new yacht)
Scott Wilson (Fineline)
Angus Small
This year there is some new blood in the SSANZ team with the recent additions of Josh Tucker (Cordite), Neil Hilder (Tickled Pink) and Damon Jolliffe (Motorboat).
Recently retired but still assisting in many ways are Steve Barton, Dave Mason and SSANZ co founder Brian Murray. Input from these guys is highly valued.
SSANZ is always looking for volunteers for the start and finish boat for the Safety at Sea Triple Series and other tasks so if you can assist in any way then contact one of the team. Contact details are available from our website at www.ssanz.co.nz/contact
