MOVING VIOLATION

Design Elliott 7.9m
Sail Number  8054
Length overall  7.9m
Length waterline  7.0m
Beam  2.8m
Draft  2.1m
About the boat: Meet Moving Violation, an Elliott 7.9, designed by Greg Elliott. Moving Violation is the smallest boat entered in the 2020 RNI. At just 7.0m on the waterline skippers Ben Beasley and Nick Gardiner will have plenty of work to do to keep Moving Violation at the front of the pack. They have a number of new Evolution Sails NZ sails on board, meaning Moving Violation could be one to watch!
Home base Westhaven
Facebook MV Sailing Elliott 7.9

BEN BEASLEY

Name Ben Beasley
Age 19
Relationship to Co – Skipper Friends. Met through the Youth Training Programme at the Squadron.
Yacht Club RNZYS
Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background I’m owner and co-skipper of Moving Violation, the smallest boat in the RNI fleet. I began sailing at age 9 and moved through the youth classes, competing in national and international regattas. I also crewed on keelboats competing in harbour races and regattas including two Farr 1020 nationals and four Coastal Classics before purchasing Moving Violation in early 2018. I have since raced in the RNZYS winter series, Gold Cup, Solo series, Commodore’s cup, Route 66, SSANZ Triple Series, ANZAC 250 long haul division and this year’s Coastal Classic which we competed two-handed.
What appeals most about doing the RNI The challenge of competing in one of the toughest races in New Zealand in the smallest boat in the fleet.
What will your meals be like during the race? Deluxe roasts dropped by Uber helicopter.
What’s your favourite point of sail and why? Upwind in the breeze because the hull is quite beamy.
Describe your skipper/co-skipper in 5 words Good company and super reliable!
Tell us about the training and buildup that you have been doing for this race both on and off the water? Most weekends have been taken up with boat prep and if not that then getting out on the water building up miles. Our qualifier was the Anzac 250 and we’ve also done a sail to Tauranga around Barrier and back which was 200-ish miles plus the recent Coastal Classic.
Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? Deodorant otherwise Wellington might be in for a surprise …
What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? Storm conditions.
Tell us about your biggest supporters Mum & Dad, Evolution Sails and hoping to get more sponsorship.
It’s the night before the big race – how do you get your head in the game? Long shower, early night and be prepared for the weather conditions on the day.

NICK GARDINER

Name Nicholas Gardiner
Age 20
Nickname Nipper
Relationship to Co – Skipper Friend
Yacht Club Milford Cruising Club, Queen Charlotte Yacht Club
Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background Mainly dinghy’s and sports boats, recently getting into coastal racing.
Pied Piper, A Class, Paper Tiger at the moment.
What appeals most about doing the RNI The adventure!
What will your meals be like during the race? Onboard the Moving Violation the cooking facilities are good when compared to the piedy, so it’ll be simple.
What’s your favourite point of sail and why? Broad reaching, it’s fast.
What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? Easy to manage.
Describe your skipper/co-skipper in 5 words Yard rider.
Tell us about the training and buildup that you have been doing for this race both on and off the water? Trying to get as many miles on the boat and sort the sail programme.
What’s your favourite drink? A cold Speights
What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? Close quarters at night.
Who’s your biggest opposition and why? It’d be great to take the handicap honors off Rodney and Booboo.
Tell us about your biggest supporters Parents definitely, dad’s been doing all he can from Marlborough, as well as Ben’s parents have been fantastic.
What’s most exciting/challenging about this race for you? Seeing different places at dawn.