Issue date
It was one of the yachts that became synonimous with Sir Peter Blake and, like a lot of things as they age, needs a little bit of love and attention.
Lion New Zealand was Blake's fourth attempt at the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1985/86. She finished second but famously was struck by a whale on the second of four legs, causing damage to the rudder.
Lion has covered approximately 200,000nm miles since being in the stewardship of the NZ Sailing Trust and over the last nine years has proved to be a perfect all-weather vessel for the Trust's sailing journeys for young people.
She was so solidly built she has lasted 32 without a major refit but it’s fair to say this iconic vessel is in need of some love.
The refit is essential to meet health and safety and insurance obligations, meet Marine Transport operator certification requirements and to ensure the Trust have a fit for purpose yacht that can deliver their youth development and leadership programmes.
Lion’s engineering, plumbing and electrical systems will be replaced along with the keel, mast and rigging and a total repaint inside and out. At a cost of about $1.1m it is not something the Trust can fund out of cashflow, so they will rely heavily on grant funding, the generosity of corporates, and donations from the public and alumni of the NZ Sailing Trust.
Anyone willing to make a donation or to help fundraising should contact paul@nzsailingtrust.com.
All donations are tax deductible and can be made through a variety of ways:
- By contacting the Trust directly or by calling 09 215 0762
- Going to the Givealittle page
- Direct credit to 12-3209-0327956-01 (please use your name as a reference)
- Via their website
