Issue date
SSANZ in partnership with Evolution Sails is excited to announce that entries for the 2023 Evolution Sails Round North Island will open on 1st May for SSANZ members and 3rd May for all other keen yachties.
The 2023 event will start on Saturday 25th February 2023 with leg 1 dash from Auckland to Mangonui and a stopover hosted by the Mangonui Cruising Club.
After a minimum stopover of 24 hours the fleet will leave Mangonui and head to a finish line at the entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound and our new stopover in the Marlborough Sounds with the Waikawa Boating Club hosting the fleet at Waikawa Marina in partnership with the Marlborough Sounds Marinas.
After a minimum stopover of 48 hours of wine tasting and great southern hospitality, the fleet will race from the entrance of Tory Channel north to Napier for another stopover with the team from the Napier Sailing Club.
After 48 hours the fleet will then complete the final leg - and the last dash north from Napier to Auckland to complete the 1200nm plus lap of the North Island!
This race is New Zealand’s most iconic yachting challenge and the 2023 edition will feature one of the biggest ever fleets. This will be the 14th edition of the race, 46 years after the inaugural event was first planned by Sir Peter Blake and Martin Foster! The idea was based on Sir Peter’s experience in the Round Britain Race and Martin’s experience of sailing around New Zealand in his yacht Truant.
Making it to the start line of this epic race is a challenge in itself. Each yacht must have a Category 2 Safety Certificate issued by Yachting New Zealand, have completed a 250 Nautical Mile qualifying passage with both Co-Skippers on board. The Co-Skippers must both also complete First Aid training, Advanced Sea Survival qualifications, and provide a medical certificate deeming them fit to compete. Each yacht must meet an extensive list of safety requirements (see the NOR) and have completed safety drills, all of which are in addition to preparing the boat to ensure it is ready for this epic race and getting as many miles under the keel as possible two-handed before the race. Many of the fleet use the SSANZ Anzac Enduro Race (this week) as their qualifying race and will also use the SSANZ Triple Series, PIC Coastal Classic and other races to build up two-handed time on their path to the start - the question is - will you be one of the legendary sailors taking on the 2023 challenge?
We are super excited about this race and can't wait until 1 May for entries to open!
- SSANZ
