HSBC Coastal Classic By Tornado

The Line 7 Tornado Team of Aaron McIntosh and Mark Kennedy took a days training a step further, racing the HSBC Coastal Classic fleet from Auckland to Russell. With a great start at the windward end of the line Aaron and Mark jumped out into the lead in the 8-12 knot SE breeze. A gennaker hoist at North Head the boys headed out for a long sail up the coast.

They held a handy lead over the bigger multihulls as they headed north. With The SE breeze getting softer there course took them further off shore than had originally planned. The SE hung in all the way to Cape Brett with the breeze building to 18 knots at times and the sea state ramping up considerably heading in to the Brett. The last 2 miles were a little hairy at times, a sensible move to back off the pace a little but still sailing at 15 knots they went out side Percy Island and held the gennaker for another 5 miles into the BOI before the SW change settled in and with final hour on the wind.

With a elapsed time of 9 hours 30 mins, a total distance covered of 146 miles at an average speed of 15.37 knots. They arrived at 7.30 half an hour ahead of official race winner Taiping.

It was great sail and the conditions were perfect for the Tornado, bit of long day but we handled it well, says Aaron.

Many thanks for the support from Luke Wigglesworth and his team in the chase boat and Bethany in the shore team.

Cowes iShares Cup Photos.

Kiwis Show Solid Form.

A great day on the water for the Kiwi Volvo Ocean race team. With some great starts and solid positioning we strung a score line of 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 7 together to be second equal for the days racing.

A broken furler line cost another win for the Rookie team who are at day 4 of sailing the Extreme 40. Like any boat team work and cordination is key. We stepped up to the game today" we are now sailing like we need to. Looking forward to day 3 with the double points for the final race and good chance of a podium finish.

Stay tuned.

The Extreme 40 is Action Action Action.

WOW,

Bring it on. Racing just off the green in Cowes, beating up the shore to stay out of the current, a jibe set at the top mark so not to run aground, throw 8 boats at it, 12 -16 knots and you have plenty on. These boats require great team work. It's a case of you never stop running especially as the races are so short. A little mistake is so costly.

All in all we had a great day. A few little mistakes around the course cost us about 5 points at the end of the day. We feel a little out shape compared to the other teams as they have a few more races and some training under there belts, but we acquitted our selves well. Looking forward to the next races.

We had 2 4ths, 2 5ths and a 7th where we caught the bottom mark and had to do a 360 penalty. Over all we are in 5th.

Stay tuned.

Ready for Action.

We are in Cowes and ready for the start of the iShares Cup.

We have had 2 full days on the water, coming to grips with how the Extreme 40 needs to be set up and sailed. Our boat was rigged and ready to sail from Hamble. On launching the boat we towed out into the Solent and hoisted, sailing into a building breeze of 8-10 knots. Quickly and easily flying a hull we were off, Andy and Ryan were impressed. So this is what you were raving about.

With a little bit of straight lining we threw a few maneuvers in. "Oh" we need a bit of work on them. After about 50 tacks,jibes, hoists and drops we all know what we are doing we and had it down pat by the end of our first day.

With a little bit boat work and some press with BBC 1 and Ellen McAurther on our boat we got in to another day of sailing. Not such great conditions, rain not to un common in England and a light breeze.

Ready of not we have done as much as we can and are all excited to get into it. Not a lot of breeze forecast but 10 knots should see some great racing.

Stay tuned.

Line 7 Marine - Extreme 40 Team

Line 7 Marine, launch there new range of yachting Wet Weather Gear.

The New Zealand Extreme 40 Team of
Helmsman: Aaron McIntosh
Mainsheet Trimmer Mark Kennedy
Headsail Trimmer: Ryan Houston
Bow Crew: Andrew McLean

Will be putting the latest gear through it's paces as they compete in the Extreme 40 Ishares Cup in Cowes, 3-5th August.

Photos coming soon.

Kiwi Extreme 40 Team.

At the iShares Cup at Skandia Cowes Week, a team of Kiwi sailors will take the reigns of Extreme 40 Volvo Ocean Race. Aaron McIntosh, Mark Kennedy, Ryan Houston and Andrew McLean will become to latest sailors to challenge for the iShares Cup on the blue boat.

McIntosh explains, “We will be the Rookie Extreme 40 team and that’s fine by me. Our biggest challenge will be to step up to the level of the top teams with only two days of pre-event training. Basicalla have set the bar very high and we will be keeping a close eye on them. We have talent in our team, it's just a case of moulding it into a tight unit, to get the most out the Extreme 40. These boats require precise teamwork in tight situations. Thrills and spills sit close together in these boats that’s what is so exciting about the class.”