have a very active cruising division at the club and they put together a significant cruise every two years. Last year they completed a 1,200 mile expedition up the east coast of Australia, as far as Dunk Island, and back, so the timing is perfect for another adventure in 2021.’ As a frequent visitor to New Zealand and a regular competitor in the annual Bay of Islands Race Week, organising committee chairman Robert McClelland is perfectly placed to liaise between the two clubs. McClelland says the event, being promoted as a ‘race between two legendary sailing cities’, is part of a wider effort at the RPAYC to expand its sailing profile. The club has already lodged a formal entry for the Youth America’s Cup to take place in Auckland during the summer of 2021, adding incentive for Australian sailors to head to New Zealand in support of their compatriots. Over the centuries, the Tasman Sea has earned a reputation not to be taken lightly. ‘A theatre of drama’ is how Neville Peat described it in his book The Tasman: Biography of an Ocean. ‘A jostling, characterful cocktail of currents, water masses, oceanic fronts, eddies, layers, upwellings and tidal tricks makes it one of the most complicated tracts of ocean in the world.’
McClelland says it is certainly a stretch of ocean demanding respect, but adds that sophisticated forecasting means sailors will have
84 SEAHORSE
access to detailed information and warning of adverse conditions. Elliott acknowledges there is a general perception that any crossing will dish up a hard slog, but he says RPAYC has been working with well- known weatherman Roger “Clouds” Badham, who has found that, statistically, high pressure and fickle winds are more likely at that time of year. Cyclone risk is low. ‘He found it interesting to look at,” says Elliot. ‘His model over a 10-year period showed the race would break up into equal thirds of upwind, downwind, and reaching conditions. People were concerned that it was just going to be a strong-wind slog all the way. It is encouraging that it is a much more complex challenge than that.’ The Tasman Sea both connects and divides Australia and New Zealand, its boisterous character an apt reflection of the relationship of affectionate hostility between the two countries.
Both clubs have appointed race ambassadors, although diplomatic exchanges might be lively on occasion. RPAYC has chosen one of its most accomplished members, Jimmy Spithill, while the RNZYS has appointed Bianca Cook as its flagbearer. Over many years of America’s Cup rivalry, Jimmy Spithill has wielded the verbal needle with ruthless enjoyment. He wears the badge as the “Aussie Kiwis love to hate” with considerable pride. Bianca Cook is no shrinking violet
Top: Bianca Cook proves that crossing the Tasman can be a true test of a sailorʼs mettle! Above: the 36th Americaʼs Cup is set to be the main attraction of a packed sailing season in Auckland, with regattas planned for J-Class,
superyachts and classic yachts as well as the main event
either. Having completed the last Volvo Ocean Race campaign, she is currently preparing to lead a New Zealand crew in the next round the world race. She already has the advantage because she is planning to actually compete in the Moonen Yachts Sydney-Auckland Ocean Race in her VO65 yacht, while Spithill will be sitting it out. The fact that he will be fully committed with his own America’s Cup engagements might not be allowed to cut much ice. Let the battles commence!
•For information about the Moonen Yachts Sydney-Auckland Ocean Race, contact Craig Evans, general manager RPAYC, Tel +61 2 9998 3700,
craig.evans@rpayc.com.au.
www.moonen.com
www.sydneytoauckland.com q
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