NOTE:
This blog is divided into 10 separate sections as there are far too many photos to put on one post
AUCKLAND - America's Cup Experience (ExploreNZ / SailNZ)
There are 2 ex-America Cup yachts based in Auckland (as well as the headquarters of the Emirates Team NZ). These belong to SailNZ and you can go out and "experience" what it is like to be on one of these yachts.
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NZL41 came 2nd in the Louis Vuitton Challenge in 1995 (background)
This is the yacht that we sailed on
NZL68 (foreground) Team New Zealand used as a trial boat prior to the 2007 America's Cup Challenge |
An opportunity not to be missed. The weather forecast was pretty good, except for one day. The day we were to go out. Dark clouds hung around and as we were being given the "do's, don'ts & emergency" information, the heavens opened up.
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| The rains starts to come down during the breifing |
As we headed out of the marina, solid rain came down. This was followed, just as we exited the marina with hail. Yep, hail, about 5-7mm in diameter. Didn't last too long, thankfully.
Much thanks to the company for supplying us with superb wet weather coats, kept nice and dry.
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| Heading out through the footbridge, rain still coming down |
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Just out of the harbour, time for the hail!
Visability was low but our skilled guides kept us safe |
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| Still hailing, not the water building up on the deck and another yacht just not too far away in the background |
Now it was time for those who wanted to work, could start. Hands on the grinders and go, bringing up the mainsail. Wasn't too bad I though, till suddenly....Holy Mainsheet!! We had to work real hard, all good though.
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| Time to start paying our way and raise the main sail |
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| Sail up |
Now we were out in the harbour area, sails rigged and ready to sail. All we needed was wind, any wind that was consistant from one direction.
We managed about 2 1/2 minutes of actual "race" sailing. That was quite exciting as the deck went from near horrizintal to up on the edge, and it took off with unexpected acceleration. Then the wind died again.
All credit to the crew, their skill at trying to find the elusive wind and at the same time, talking to everyone. I know for myself, even though the sailing didn't really happen, I had a great time.
Definitely something to go experience and something that I wouldn't mind doing again.
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| Time to put the camera away and get to work on the grinders! |
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| Still looking |
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| Some blue sky appeared to tease us |
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| Then it disappeared |
The next few photos as we headed back to Auckland, I haven't touched up with regards to how the sky or sea looks. It's just how it was. Black on onside of the sail and light on the other. Didn't notice at the time, only later when looking at the photos.
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| Somewhere on starboard in the distance lies Auckland. |
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| Out of the darkness a city emerges |
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| "Land, Ho" |
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Bringing down the mainsail.
The motif on the sail tells everyone the pedigree history of this yacht. |
Even though it might not have looked fun with the weather, had an awesome time. Thankyou to the crew and those who helped answer any questions I had before coming over.
This is their website, please check them out for this and other experiences
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