COPPELIA

Design Farr 11.60
Sail Number  4522
Length overall  11.6m
Length waterline  9.5m
Beam  3.66m
Draft  1.94m
About the boat: Coppelia was fifth on elapsed time and third on corrected time in the #RNZ2019 and is back again for another lap of the North Island for this awesome sailing duo.

Sailed by Rob Croft and Sally Garrett (the only Woman in the 2019 RNZ), Coppelia is Farr 11.6 by legendary designer Bruce Farr with plenty of miles under her keel from long distance racing!

Home base Gulf Harbour
Facebook Coppelia

ROB CROFT

Name Rob Croft
Age 50
Relationship to Co – Skipper Friend
Have you ever done an RNI before? Coppelia, 1999 – Neil Hilder & 2011  & 2014 – Sally Garrett
RNZ Coppelia, 2012 & 2019 – Sally Garrett
Yacht Club SSANZ
Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background Started sailing at 14 on Townson 32 with RNZYS, then various other small keelboats. First offshore to Fiji 1998 on Coppelia as Skipper. Then various Keelboats, Etchells, a few deliveries.
Started 2 handed with Sally on a Young 88 ten years ago….
What appeals most about doing the RNI It’s a do-able challenge.
What will your meals be like during the race? Mostly dehydrated but with occasional toasties with cheese and salami, and for special treats smoked salmon and cheese crackers.
What’s your favourite point of sail and why? We’re more competitive on the wind than reaching….
What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? It’s a classic….
Describe your skipper/co-skipper in 5 words Quieter when asleep.
Tell us about the training and buildup that you have been doing for this race both on and off the water? Nothing new this time. Snow skiing for cross training, White Island race for testing, a light run at BOI Bay week then peaking for the RNI.
What’s your favourite drink and why? Everything, why ?
Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? Good wet weather gear and noise cancelling headphones.
What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? Being becalmed in a horrible sloppy sea.
What’s most exciting/challenging about this race for you? The weather.
What sound system do you have on board? What’s likely to be playing?  Not much. But we sometimes hear the Motorboat.
It’s the night before the big race – how do you get your head in the game? Nice if possible to get time out the night before, sleep.

SALLY GARRETT

Name Sally Garrett
Age 40+
Relationship to Co – Skipper Ship Mate.
Have you done an RNI before? On what boat and when? Yes, in 2011 and 2014 on Coppelia, we have also done the RNZ in 2012 and 2019.
Yacht Club Devonport Yacht Club & Royal Akarana Yacht Club.
Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background Varied would be a good description. 2 x RNI, 2 x RNZ, current Women’s National Champion, continue to struggle in my Flying 15 to do get into the top 3.
What appeals most about doing the RNI Getting a chance to go sailing for a couple of weeks.
What are your essential food items during the race? Home St Spouted Good Seed Gluten free toast.
What will your meals be like during the race? Our mainstays are Back Country meals, toasted sandwiches, and Whittakers chocolate.
What’s your favourite point of sail and why? Light winds any point of sail, as we have a chance!
What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? It is dry downstairs and has a super navigation station and loo.
Describe your skipper/co-skipper in 5 words Man of mystery.
Tell us about the training and buildup that you have been doing for this race both on and off the water? Very little together just 2 SSANZ triple races. I have been sailing a lot of other boats and have been really lucky since the end of the Round New Zealand to sail with some talented female sailors/coaches including Sara Winther. I have learned a lot about sailing but also campaigning in general, it has been a very special few months.
What’s your favourite drink and why? At sea, Nunn lemon lime with caffeine, served with hot water at night.
Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? My high-density foam driving seat. It saves our butts from the deck, but it also means when I am driving in the cockpit I can see the bow!
What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? Being miserable and not enjoying myself.
Who’s your biggest opposition and why? The other boats in division 3. We will most likely have one of the lower handicaps so we will have to work hard.
Tell us about your biggest supporters My beloved Neil Easton who I think is more keen about it than I am. Also this year was very well supported by many of the women sailors in Auckland, including my own crew. And of course my step-father Frank Warnock and my mum Janet.
What’s most exciting/challenging about this race for you? Balancing being prepared and being fresh.
What sound system do you have on board? What’s likely to be playing? Yes, but it is not used at sea.
It’s the night before the big race – how do you get your head in the game? Mince for dinner, a good dose of TV and lots of sleep.