Team Vodafone Sailing improve their own race record in the NZ Coastal Classic (Auckland to Russell)

Team Vodafone Sailing have broken their own race record for the NZ Coastal Classic slicing 28 minutes off the old time.  The new record (yet to be ratified) stands at 5hrs 13 mins 21 secs.

Team Vodafone Sailing relaunch their ORMA60 trimaran

Surely one of the most unlucky teams in regards to mast failures.  Team Vodafone have just relaunched their ORMA 60 trimaran "Team Vodafone" this boat is none other than the former ORMA60 "Geant" once skippered by the professor Michael Desjoyeaux in which he sailed to victory solo in the storm battered 2002 Route du Rhum.

The relaunched ORMA60 Team Vodafone, photo courtesy Team Vodafone Sailing

Team Vodafone Sailing's ORMA 60 dismasts one crew member injured

Team Vodafone Sailing's ORMA60 has dismasted again.  From the photos posted it looks like a different mode of failure this time with the mast breaking at the base.  Unfortunately it seems like a crew member was injured in the incident.

An article on livesaildie has an article on what was a busy day for the Auckland Coastguard:

http://livesaildie.com/busy-day-for-coastguard-in-auckland/

Team Vodafone Sailing update, race report on the recent Round White Island Race

A race report from Team Vodafone Sailing on the Round White Island Race from the teams facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/TeamVodafoneSailing/163615230319915

We left Auckland in a 5-10kt Northerly and wiggled our way to Channel island, in a unforecast norwester with the genaker on for a time. We meet a 20kt noreaster which put us on the wind to White in 12-18kts.

Got round the volcano around 5:30am and pulled the genaker out, VMG running all the way back to channel. We got a bit of breeze now an then (15-20kts) and some good rides up to the top speed for the trip of 32kts.

6 odd hours from White to Channel was not to shabby, but around the corner we had a drift off to look forward to....
 
We drifted in through the Gulf in a frustrating 0-5kts from every direction to finish at 6:49pm on Saturday .
 
Not a bad race, but one day we would like to start one of these offshores in some puff.

Round White Island Race, Team Vodafone Sailings ORMA60 home but well outside record time due to fluky wind conditions

From the following article on livesaildie:

http://livesaildie.com/team-vodafone-sailing-finishes-round-white-island-race/

A tired crew on board Team Vodafone Sailing crossed the finish line at Orakei this afternoon at 17:49:17.

After crossing the finishing line the crew admitted to being very thirsty for a beer, definitely well deserved for the regulars who are led by skipper Simon Hull.

“It was a frustrating day we thought we would get back a bit quicker. There wasn’t a real highlight, just a lot of little lowlights. Once again, it would seem that the wind bill hasn’t been paid!” joked Hull.

read more here

New Zealand multihull racing news, Team Vodafone ORMA60 competing in this years Round White Island race

From the following article on livesaildie:

http://livesaildie.com/clear-start-for-the-2013-round-white-island-race/

After a brief postponement at the start, the fleet competing in the 2013 Round White Island Race began their 320 nautical mile journey to the volcanic location off the Bay of Plenty at 1005 hours Friday 22 November.

There were 16 monohulls lined up for the start due to a late decision to withdraw by the Volvo 70.
Jim Delegat’s Giacomo was the unfortunate withdrawal being forced to confirm their decision this morning.  The new electrical system was unable to be completely tested in time for the start.

“We’re disappointed as this was going to be a major training race for us,” said Delegat.  The Giacomo team had planned on using this race as training for the upcoming Rolex Sydney Hobart Race which starts in Sydney on Boxing Day.

read more here

Fleet tracker is here

PIC Insurance brokers Coastal Classic 2013 poised to start, Team Australia and Team Vodafone Sailing the headline act

From the following article submitted to Sail-World by Lisa Ratcliff:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Coastal-Classic---Team-Australia-ready-for-action/116023

In the preparation for the Coastal Classic, Team Australia’s head-to-head with Team VodafoneSailing on Waitemata Harbour, Auckland, yesterday was a mixed bag for the visitors. Result aside, skipper Sean Langman is confident the Australian boat and crew have the ticker to successfully challenge the local ORMA 60 this Friday.

In the showcase sprint race the Aussie trimaran led Team VodafoneSailing off the start line, expectations resting heavily on the afterguard including Mike Sanderson and celebrity guest crewmember, Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker in his first race since the 34th America’s Cup.

The sprint kicked off with a downwind start off Westhaven Marina at 1600hrs. Langman’s Team Australia gybed early and grabbed a several hundred metre advantage over Simon Hull’s near identical ORMA 60 by the time the frontrunner reached Orakei and North Head. 

read more here

And also an article by Zoe Hawkins on Sail-World:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Coastal-Classic:-Kiwis-take-first-local-point-in-big-boat-duel/116021

Team Vodafone Sailing and Team Australia in race 1 of 2 of their ORMA match

Thanks to Roger Mills and http://crew.org.nz for the video:

Team Vodafone Sailing win first round against Team Australia in the first battle of the ORMA's in NZ

From the following race report and photos submitted to Sail-World by Richard Gladwell:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Coastal-Classic:-Dean-Barker-back-sailing-an-Australian-multihull/116003

In his first race since the 2013 America's Cup, Emirates Team NZ skipper raced aboard the ORMA60, Team Australia, skippered by Sean Langman.

Team Australia was sailing in an ORMA60 exhibition race around the Waitemata harbour against the New Zealand ORMA60, TeamVodafoneSailing. Team Australia is in New Zealand ahead of the 2013 PIC Coastal Classic, a 120nm sprint north to the Bay of Islands from Auckland, starting at 10.00am on Friday.

Barker was joined by winning Volvo Ocean Race skipper, Mike Sanderson - now with Doyle Sails, checking out some new front sails on Team Australia.

read more here

and a much more detailed article from LiveSailDie:

http://livesaildie.com/team-vodafone-sailing-v-team-australia-round-1-of-2/

Update from Team Vodafone Sailing on their upcoming race with Team Australia

From Team Vodafone Sailing's facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/TeamVodafoneSailing/163615230319915?directed_target_id=0

I have just spoken to the race officer and here is the course and info,
...
* We will use Te Kouma or Pembles Bay to start the race. The start will be between the boat and a Blue Inflatable start mark off the break water

* Start sequence will be a normal fleet racing start sequence with the Warning Signal at 1555.

* Course:

* All marks taken to starboard

Start - McKenzie, taken to Starboard - Northern Leading Starboard - Orakei Starboard - ODM Starboard - Chelsea Starboard -Torpedo Bay Starboard - Orakei Starboard - Finish between the Westhaven Tower and the ODM

Normal Racing rules apply not match racing rules. i.e. Col Regs prior to 5 minute gun

There will be an on the water umpire for instant decisions- Penalties will be one turn

Team Vodafone Sailing update, ORMA60 relaunched after refit

Team Vodafone Sailing have relaunched their ORMA60 after refit and ready for the new season.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/TeamVodafoneSailing/163615230319915

Team Vodafone Sailing, craned out and receiving some well earned attention

Team Vodafone Sailing have craned out their ORMA60 and it will undergo extensive refit prior to the 2013 sailing season. 

TVS in temporary structure for refit, photo courtesy Team Vodafone Sailing

TVS prep for new paint, photo courtesy Team Vodafone Sailing

Auckland to Musket Cove race, Team Vodafone breaks its own record in Auckland to Fiji race

From the following article on the Royal New Zealand Yacht Club website: http://www.rnzys.org.nz/NewsEvents/News/tabid/274/ctl/Details/mid/774/ItemID/1126/Default.aspx 5 June 2013: TeamVodafoneSailing has finished the Auckland to Musket Cove, Fiji Ocean Race in a new best time of 101 hours, 5 minutes and 5 seconds. The trimaran, owned and skippered by Simon Hull, crossed the finish line in Fiji at 1905hrs today, after 1,150 nautical miles of sailing. It set the previous record in the 2011 race, sailing hard to beat Emirates Team New Zealand's boat, Camper, into the finish line by less than 20 minutes.

Auckland to Musket Cove race update, Team Vodafone powering up in stronger conditions

From the following article on Sail-World submitted by Zoe Hawkins and Richard Gladwell:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Auckland-Fiji-Race:-Big-trimaran-finds-breeze-and-takes-second-reef/110076

The ORMA60 trimaran, TeamVodafonesailing has found the breeze in the Auckland Fiji Race. But the Ray Lodge designed and owned, Wild Card, leads fleet on handicap, on the second day of the classic race.

Emailing this afternoon from a location 210 nautical miles North-East of Cape Reinga, and nearly 300 nautical miles from the startline at Westhaven Marina in Auckland, TeamVodafone Sailing have reported breezes of up to 20 knots, and boat speeds of 23-26 knots. They set their first reef and trinquet at 1000hrs today, and have now added a second reef.

read more here

Team Vodafone Sailing's ORMA60 repaired and ready for the Auckland to Musket Cove (Fiji) race.

From the following article on Sail-World submitted by Zoe Hawkins

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Auckland-Fiji-Race:-TeamVodafoneSailing-racing-with-Southerns-EC6/109965

Following a dismasting in March, TeamVodafoneSailing is back and almost ready to roll into the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's Auckland to Musket Cove, Fiji Race starting this Saturday.

The boat is back in the water, but waiting on another stay before it can hoist sails.

'We won't miss the sprint to warmer climes if we can at all help at – arriving at Musket Cove is always a great experience,' says Skipper Simon Hull. 'We will only have a few days to shake her down, but we will be there Saturday for the race start.'

read more here

Team Vodafone ORMA60 dismasts during Auckland Regatta

When starting a race at the Auckland Regatta Team Vodafone Sailing's ORMA60 dropped it's wingmast rig.  Nobody injured and the rig has been recovered and they are looking at the best way to repair it, looks like it was a forestay fitting failure this time.

Thanks to crew.org.nz for the link.

Team Vodafone, Auckland to Tauranga Race chasing record time

From the following article on crew.org.nz

http://www.crew.org.nz/team-vodafone-targets-record-in-the-international-paints-auckland-to-tauranga-yacht-race/

It’s all go for this premier annual event! Bouncing back from last year’s Rena cancellation, this year is shaping up to be a beauty. TYPBC has topped up their wind account and are looking for a quick race. With the support of RNZYS, the race kicks off at 1000 March 28th from the Squadron start line outside Westhaven.

Team Vodafone has confirmed their entry in an attempt to finally break a record that has so far proved elusive. Vodafone skipper Simon Hull comments “The International Paints Auckland to Tauranga race can be tricky and challenging. When the weather cooperates, it is a fantastic ride and that is what we are hoping for. Fingers crossed, we will have a crack at setting a new record. Time will tell.”

Upon arrival in Tauranga every boat will be greeted with the traditional welcome bucket and escorted to their berth. There is plenty of room for everyone. The TYPBC clubhouse will be open with hot showers and refreshments.

read more here

Team Vodafone Sailing give a rundown on the White Island Race in NZ

From an article published on crew.org.nz

http://www.crew.org.nz/team-vodafone-new-white-island-record/

Team vodafone, New White Island record
We started off Orakei in a light noreaster and slowly made our way out the Motuihue Channel, short tacking up the Rangitoto shore against the tide.

Once clearing Emu point we found a nice 12kts had come in, and just as well because the 50ft monos were looking quite close behind. We beat got out towards Rakino and then the breeze crumped again. Up the rig we saw small pockets of puff on the water but plenty of holes in it.

The majority of the crew spent the time hanging out on the front tramps trying to keep from dragging our arse. While a very patient Casper was on the helm trying to wiggle our way north into a building SW breeze allowing us to get the Genaker on and click along at around 13kts.
Until the NE won out and we were back on the wind. A tack out towards Little Barrier saw us lifting around Channel Island which was not ideal but I don’t think there was much puff in the Firth of Thames so maybe the better of two evils. Eventually making it around Channel Island at 1500 (6 hours for a 35 mile leg :-/ )

Once around we got a tight genaker ride with the car eased in and reached off towards Waikawu Bay getting lifted as we went at times getting along at 20kts, this was a bit more like it!

Once again ole Huey changed his mind and we parked it in a hole off Opito bay, getting in irons and having to back out of it. But we wriggled past Old Man Rock into a nice steady breeze running 130T and sipping on some soup with cabin bread for dinner.
Rod managed to pick up a skip jack tuna on the leward rudder! just T boned it and it got wedged there, we weren’t quite quick enough to grab it for sushimi, as we slowed down to see what it was it managed to swim off, a little dazzed me thinks.

read more here

Team Vodafone Sailing NZ, White Island Race 2012

Sail-World article by Richard Gladwell on the NZ 2012 White Island Race

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/White-Island-Race:-TeamVodafoneSailing-first-home-and-sets-race-record/104057

The ORMA 60, TeamVodafoneSailing, skippered by Simon Hull, has finished the 2012 White Island Race at approximately 1.10pm on Saturday, taking just over 27hours to complete the 320nm course.

The first monohull, Equilibrium, was off Pauanui between Tauranga and Whitianga at the last report at 3.00pm . The smallest boat, Unitec II, and Elliott 8.5 metre is yet to round White Island, but is in a group of three others.

read more here

'TeamVodafoneSailing crossing the finish line off Royal Akarana YC (background) around 1310rs on Saturday afternoon to be first home in the 320nm classic' Richard Gladwell ©