I knew it was going to be a good day when we were walking down the dock toward O Canada and walked right past Moose Sanderson, Rolex sailor of the year and winner of the last VOR. (One of the Team Origin tenders is tied up just next to O Canada.)

On getting to the boat, we did some initial camera shots and then got down to the initial boat briefing. For me, this wasn’t too much of shock, maybe a bit more for my fellow sailors. I have done some sailing on big carbon fibre boats, so it wasn’t like walking on the moon or anything. All that said, she is a different beast to any other I have sailed on.

The new 60s are big powerful boats. It’s hard to describe the power of these things. With keel at full cant, daggerboard dug in, and a sail plan that is maxed out for the current wind range, you can definitely feel that power. You can feel it in the helm, in the motion of the boat and loading on all the lines. While it’s a bit scary to wait for stuff to blow up, it is so exilerating to feel her pick up her bow and really go.

On the way out into the bay we sailed past the Louis Vitton Trophy boats match racing up toward us. (We sailed just metres from their windward mark.) What can I say, I am still star struck around IACC boats.)

Out in the harbour we got the kite and I was lucky enough to drive quite a bit in 15-20knts of wind, boat trucking along at 13knts. We jybed, and then doused the kite and headed back up the harbour with the big genny.

The wind now was gusting a little higher we were at the top end of the sail, and were getting ready to roll it away and switch to the solent. The solent was rolled out and we were in the process of rolling up the genny when the leach just totally blew up. The poor old sail had a lot of miles on it, and the mylar had that crackly, too much sun sound to it. Once that was all clear away, we did a few tacks up the harbour toward home.

Manouvers on these boats are a big deal. On the mini, I feel like I have a lot to do during any maneuver, but on this boat there are a few more things to do as well as the distance between things in the cockpit. I kept visualizing how it would work single handed and I have to say that it would be a real handful. I would want to do a LOT of practice to make sure that I didn’t break anything or get pinned on the wrong tack. (Gotta remember to do that damn keel!)

Once back in the harbour, we got her into her berth and all cleaned up and had a little debrief over some food in the cockpit. Everyone was happy and the maintenance list wasn’t too long, so all in all a good day.

As for living here, we have a nice apartment with a good kitchen and laundry right in our room. Living in Auckland is very expensive, so it is nice to be able to do meals back at the room. (Does anyone out there have a suggestion on a good grocery store near Viaduct Harbour? We are all looking for one…)

That’s all for now. I have to take a look at the weather and find a strong cup of coffee before we get down to the boat. (Still feeling the jet lag.)

Cheeers,

n