COPPELIA
| Design | Farr 38 |
| Length | 11.6 |
| Draft | 1.96m |
| Displacement | 5500kg |
| Features / Modifications | Original Mast, Original Keel. Fairly makeshift bowsprit. Nice electric toilet.
Nice electronics and Expedition software! |
| Yacht Strengths | Perseverance, longevity, original gelcoat. |
| Yacht History | 1998 Auckland to Denerau. Won 1999 Auckland to Dennarau race, PHRF
1999 RNI 4th overall Round North Island 2011 and 2014 3rd Round New Zealand 2012, PHRF Various coastal races |
ROB CROFT
| Name | Rob Croft |
| Age | Flexible |
| From | Northcote |
| Work | Rigger |
| Yacht Club | SSANZ |
| Why do you want to do the RNZ | I would like to see the Southern Alps from the sea again. I like mountains with snow. Stewart Island is more interesting than you expect as well. |
| What are the biggest races you’ve competed in | Did a few Etchell races way back when Dennis Connor and John Bertrand used to sail, some things I remember. |
| How did you get into sailing | Through the father of friend at school who raced a Townson 32 when they had a class start with the RNZYS! I thought the squadron weekends were just IT. |
| Sailing background | Other peoples yachts in Auckland, some Etchells,
My old Coppelia |
| How long have you 2 sailed together / how did you meet / what races have you done together in the past | Ages/ Sailing/ lots |
| Funny stories | Chris Skinner ? I was really tired. |
| Scariest yachting moment | |
| What is your offshore vice | Sundowners at sunrise ? |
| What do you hope to get out of doing the RNZ | Memories. |
| What inside tips do you have for others wanting to compete in 2 handed racing at this level | Talk your GP or someone else you trust ! If no one can help… Sail a lot. Don’t give up. Prepare hard. Be safe. Sail more, then do it. |
| What’s your team motto | We are finishing. |
| Biggest yachting achievement | 2012 RNZ |
| Family | Mum and 3 sisters, nieces and nephews. |
| When you cross the finish line, what will you be most hanging out for? | Sleep |
| Any other information you can think is relevant / funny / inspiring / etc | It cracks me up that were doing it in my old boat again. It’s a joke. Sure I could imagine something newer and faster, but I don’t have that at the moment so we’re doing it anyway. |
SALLY GARRETT
| Name | Sally Garrett |
| Age | 42 |
| From | Devonport |
| Work | Environmental Scientist |
| Yacht Club | Royal Akarana / Devonport |
| Why do you want to do the RNZ | Really enjoyed some of it last time, want to enjoy more of it this time. |
| What are the biggest races you’ve competed in | Biggest in terms of numbers of the start line the 2009 Australian FF nationals – 147 boats on the start line |
| How did you get into sailing | I was born into it – went away in the boat at 5 months old. |
| Sailing background | Started to race at Wakatere BC in Starling and Sunbursts.
2 years at RNZYS youth scheme. 2 years World Match racing tour and other keelboat adventures. Brief foray into 470 sailing. Raced 2005 Flying Fifteen Worlds in Auckland and have raced them ever since. 25th at the last worlds, 1st female helm. |
| How long have you 2 sailed together / how did you meet / what races have you done together in the past | Since 2009. Rob was my stand-in crew on Nick White’s Young 88 Nijinsky for the SSANZ. We have done 2 x RNI, 1 x RNZ, 9 Coastal Classics together, and lots of other adventures. |
| Funny stories | Not really we are pretty serious partnership. |
| Scariest yachting moment | There hasn’t really been any truly scary moments do far, touch wood there won’t be. Being the safety officer for offshore races and talking to people it trouble is pretty scary to me. |
| What is your offshore Vice | My high density foam seat that I sit on to steer. |
| What do you hope to get out of doing the RNZ | 4 weeks of freedom from work! |
| What inside tips do you have for others wanting to compete in 2 handed racing at this level | Get a psychologist – honestly it is a brain game so get someone to train your brain. |
| What’s your team motto | It doesn’t get easier you just get faster. |
| Biggest yachting achievement | Finishing the 2012 RNZ. |
| Family | I have the lovely Neil. |
| When you cross the finish line, what will you be most hanging out for? | Fresh water. |