Latest news from the 2010 Fitzroy Yachts Solo Tasman

5:23 AM Sat 15 Aug 2009 GMT
August 2009 update for the 2010 Fitzroy Yachts Solo Tasman

IRC MEASUREMENTS - for those skippers whose boats haven't been measured for an IRC handicap yet, the IRC Yearbook contains full instructions on how to measure your own boats for an unendorsed certificate. Copies are available from the race committee or Jenny Clarke l KORC Administration Services l Yachting New Zealand Ph. +64 9 410 9725 Mobile. 021 890 087 Fax. +64 9 360 2246
Email. jenny@yachtingnz.org.nz Web. www.yachtingnz.org.nz

Tell her that you are a 2010 Solo Tasman Challenge entrant and the booklet will be free.

MOOLOOLABA ACCOMMODATION - Murray Neilsen, secretary of the Sunshine Coast yacht Club host committee advises that the committee has negotiated off peak tariff accommodation for race skippers, family and supporters at the Newport Mooloolaba Apartments. He says :'The time of the race is unfortunately during the school holidays here which start at Easter. However, instead of 'peak' tariff we are being offered 'low season' tariff at half the cost.

If you take the example of a 2 bedroom apartment for 5 days,it works out to $(Aus)78 per night per person on a four sharing basis. They also have an extra person rate of $(Aus)33 per night using a roll-away bed. Their website at www.newportmooloolaba.com.au will give you pictures and details. These bookings will need to be made in a group and will need deposits. We would have to book for 20 to get the 2 free apartments we need for Customs, etc. We expect there will be other buildings on offer but can't be sure of prices.

The Tourism Board said that you should take advantage of group booking for an airline to bring everyone here. No international flights come to our airport at present so it would be into Brisbane.'

ANCHOR AWAY - Richard Raea who sailed the 2007 solo Tasman race in Nimbus says, very tongue in cheekily, that he was forced to cut away a para anchor about 60 miles south of Lord Howe Island during an Auckland - Sydney delivery a few months ago. A reward is offered for its recovery.

WITHDRAWAL - John Osborne has withdrawn Midnight Express from the race. Any other people who want to withdraw, please contact the race committee ASAP to allow others to enter. The fleet has been closed at 28 boats but we have another six expressions of interest.

PREDICT WIND - Race skippers should all have been contacted by Nathan May from PredictWind by now. The company has very generously given all skippers a free subscription to the professional version of their weather map and routing service for the duration of the race with lead in time to get the hang of using it.

INSURANCE - The committee has canvassed various underwriters to provide blanket coverage for race yachts but we've had no response so far. Does anybody have ideas about obtaining coverage for the race?

CONTAINER - We have also approached shipping companies and freight forwarders about sponsoring a container to ship cruising gear to Australia. Due to the inhospitable nature of Port Taranaki it would be desirable if boats arrived with ground tackle and dinghies.

WEBSITE - the new race website is being finalised and should be up and viewable with two weeks.

Best wishes to all,
Lindsay Wright,
Secretary,
2010 Fitzroy Yachts Solo Tasman Challenge Committee,
62 Bayly Road,
New Plymouth 4310,
New Zealand.
Ph +64 2727 58 138.

by Lindsay Wright

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