Race report 8: Historic win for Europa
“Race control, race control, race control – this is Europa. At 08:30:05 UTC, Thursday 17 October Europa crossed the finish line at Nukutaunga Lighthouse in position 34 55.3S 174 00.3E. No other ships ahead and Tecla approx. 31 miles behind. See you in Opua!”
Eric Kesteloo, Captain, Bark Europa
The first three vessels in the Sydney Auckland Regatta have crossed the finish line in the Cavalli Islands. Dutch Bark Europa (Netherlands) crossed first followed by Tecla (Netherlands) and then Spirit of New Zealand (New Zealand).
All three vessels are currently moored in the Bay of Islands with Lord Nelson; which had retired earlier on as a precautionary measure after a stainless steel fitting failure on her mainmast backstay. All vessels received a magnificent welcome in Opua by local visitors and national TV crews. Spirit of New Zealand and Young Endeavour are due into Opua at around 08:00 local time tomorrow (Saturday 19 October).
Spirit of New Zealand spoiled a clean sweep by the Netherlands Tall Ships. In fourth place is the Dutch three-masted schooner Oosterschelde (Netherlands) and Young Endeavour (Australia), now retired from the race, lies in fifth place.
The Sail Training International Race Committee has agreed to bring the time limit forward to 00:00:00 UTC Saturday 19 October to ensure a suitable estimated time of arrival for Oosterschelde and Young Endeavour into Opua.
Paul Bishop, Race Director, Sail Training International said, “It’s an historic win for Europa, but whilst it looks like we have our top three winners, the race results will not be final until the race committee has received all the race declaration forms from the ships in Opua. We need to do this to formulise the results in the unlikely case there were any rule contraventions.
“Saying that it looks certain that Europa has won on corrected time (handicap) in the first Tall Ships Race to be organised by Sail Training International in the Southern Hemisphere.
“The crews of the ships have a wonderful programme to look forward in Opua to over this weekend before setting off to Auckland for the festivities between 25 and 28 October.”
Current placings on Corrected Time are:
1st Europa
2nd Tecla
3rd Spirit of New Zealand
Crew log from Europa (Netherlands)
Thursday 17 October 2013: Stunning sails
Stud-ding sail ÇstunsÇls (usual nautical pronunc) – a light sail set at the side of a square sail of a vessel in light winds to increase its speed.
Last night the final line of squalls pass, Europa and the bull rush forward one last time and slowly ease down to a leisurely pace bathing in moonlight. These are the moments a race is won or lost!
Anticipate the change and adjust to the new situation as quick as possible. And Europa has a final trick hidden in her sleeves – studding sails.
Setting StunsÇsls during the day is already difficult enough, but to do it at night requires a special kind of cooperation by all on watch. Six sails flying like kite
