KIA KAHA
| Design | TP 52 |
| Sail Number | 56718 |
| Length overall | 15.8m |
| About the boat: | Kia Kaha was designed by Reichel/Pugh and built in Spain by Barcos Deportivos and was originally called Quantum Lexus. She has been sailed by Russell Coutts and some of the then young breed of Team NZ Sailors back in 2005. The boat has come to New Zealand from San Diego and now lives in the Bay of Islands where she is actively campaigned by the Hornell Family. In the 2020 RNI Kia Kaha will be skippered by Chris Hornell and Rebecca Gmuer-Hornell. |
| Home base | Opua |
| TP52 Kia Kaha |
CHRIS HORNELL
| Name | Chris Hornell |
| Age | 51 |
| Relationship to Co – Skipper | Father |
| Yacht Club | Opua Cruising Club and Russell Boating Club |
| Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background | Grew up sailing in the Bay of Islands, mainly keelboats, done a couple of Coastal Classics and offshore races. |
| What appeals most about doing the RNI | The challenges that it will bring. |
| What are your essential food items during the race? | Apples. |
| What will your meals be like during the race? | Whatever I can eat with one hand. |
| What’s your favourite point of sail and why? | Light upwind – this is will be the best performance for Kia Kaha. |
| What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? | It’s big enough to get far away from my co-skipper ;-) |
| Describe your skipper/co-skipper in 5 words | Willful, driven and a bit casual! |
| Tell us about the training and buildup that you have been doing for this race both on and off the water? | Maintaining the boat to the highest standard & getting fit(ter) |
| What’s your favourite drink and why? | Coffee – addiction. |
| Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? | Beanbag – comfort. |
| What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? | Losing somebody over the side. |
| Who’s your biggest opposition and why? | Miss Scarlet – we are both Fast52s. |
| Tell us about your biggest supporters | mmmhhhhh…… |
| What’s most exciting/challenging about this race for you? | To finish and still talking to my daughter – co-skipper. |
| What sound system do you have on board? What’s likely to be playing? | No sound system – playing from boombox – Smashing Pumpkins |
| It’s the night before the big race – how do you get your head in the game? | Look at the weather forecast/routing – ease of mind and makes the time go past. |
REBECCA GMUER HORNELL
| Name | Rebecca Gmuer-Hornell |
| Age | 20 |
| Relationship to Co – Skipper | Daughter |
| Has anyone in your family ever done the race? | Yes my dad. |
| Yacht Club | Russell Boating Club. |
| Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background | Grew up in the Bay of Islands Sailing, racing on keelboats in Auckland, & have done 10 Coastal Classics. |
| What appeals most about doing the RNI | Spending time with my beautiful father. |
| What are your essential food items during the race? | Nutella and a spoon. |
| What’s your favourite point of sail and why? | Light downwind that’s when Kia Kaha preforms at her best. |
| What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? | She’s fast. |
| Describe your skipper/co-skipper in 5 words | Pushy and supportive. |
| Tell us about the training and buildup that you have been doing for this race both on and off the water? | According to my dad, I’ve done nothing. |
| What’s your favourite drink and why? | Speights. |
| What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? | Losing Dad over the side. |
| Who’s your biggest opposition and why? | Wired & Miss Scarlet. |
| Tell us about your biggest supporters | Manuela, my mum. |
| What’s most exciting/challenging about this race for you? | Not fighting (too much) with my dad. |
| What sound system do you have on board? What’s likely to be playing? | Bluetooth Speaker – Smashing Pumpkins. |
| It’s the night before the big race – how do you get your head in the game? | Steak at Swashy’s with a Speights. |