SERENA

Design Thompson 38
Sail Number  28538
Length overall  11.61m
Length waterline  11.0m
Beam  3.75m
Draft  3.1m
About the boat: Serena is a Thompson 38 built 2005 in San Francisco, designed by Kiwi Steve Thompson. From this boat Steve went on to make a few developments and come up with the well known Stomp 38. Serena was campaigned by her previous owners on the East Coast of America, in 2018 they sailed the boat solo to NZ. Serena is a Tiller Steer, semi-displacement monohull with a rather long prod giving her some great downwind performance. Serena is new to the local scene and has a development path in the short handed arena. In the 2020 RNI Serna will be skippered by Josh Adams and Ryan Parkin
Home base Westhaven
Facebook Kraken Yachting

JOSH ADAMS

Name Josh Adams
Age 30
Have you done an RNI before? Yes in 2017 on my previous boat Vela Via. Fantastic experience completing the journey last time round!
Yacht Club SSANZ
Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background A lifetime of cruising around New Zealand and years spent racing dinghys.
What appeals most about doing the RNI? It’s a challenge at every turn. The opportunity to improve, learn the boat more and see how she goes when we get to stretch the legs a bit. It’s also a beautiful coast to sail around!
What are your essential food items during the race? KRAKEN
What will your meals be like during the race? Last time we did freeze dried and found it the most demoralizing part of the race. It all tastes like salty cardboard so this time opting for comfort food…. or as deluxe as you can go with a jetboil.
What’s your favourite point of sail and why? Cannot beat a send! 30 knots at around 155 TWA sounds good.
What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? It seems to be quick when we get it right.
Describe your skipper/co-skipper in 5 words Sore back if bow mentioned.
What’s your favourite drink and why? KRAKEN – warms the body.
Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? My Makita vacuum cleaner, I hate mess.
What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? Seeing East Cape again.
Who’s your biggest opposition and why? The other Thompson 38 Titanium, but looking forward to tight racing with what looks to be a very competitive fleet.
What sound system do you have on board? What’s likely to be playing? Fairly decent actually and a real battery eater so not sure how we manage that during the race. A lot of engine running to keep the Fusion blasting. It’ll be a cross between Black Betty, Jack Johnson and some of Ryan’s romantic French melodies.
It’s the night before the big race – how do you get your head in the game? Home for a good meal, read the kids some books and sleep like a baby!

RYAN PARKIN

Name Ryan Parkin
Age 43
Relationship to Co – Skipper Friend
Have you done an RNI before? On what boat and when? Yes on Spearhead, Elliot 1050 2017.
Yacht Club SSANZ, RNZYS, RAYC
Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background Sailed since I was a boy, Sabot, Sunburst, Starling, RNZYS Youth Performance Programme for 2 years, 10 years in France, sailing and working on race yachts. Recently been on the dark side, becoming an International Umpire. 40,000nm offshore experience.
What appeals most about doing the RNI Sailing, the challenge, the competition.
What are your essential food items during the race? Bananas.
What will your meals be like during the race? We have limited cooking facilities on the boat, food will be healthy military rations. Not my fault, Josh is a king on healthy food.
What’s your favourite point of sail and why? All points.
What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? The size, lots of similar boats giving great competition.
Describe your skipper/co-skipper in 5 words Just need one word… Ralph.
Tell us about the training and buildup that you have been doing for this race both on and off the water? The boat is new for us, so lots of preparation in setting the boat up, updating the tired sails, learning the boat. On the personal side been pushing myself to the gym to build some core strength and sort out a few back issues.
What’s your favourite drink and why? Kraken Rum, it’s a perfect blend of danger.
Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? My pillow, a blow up airline pillow, it helps me get to sleep quicker, extra sleep is a great thing.
What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? Losing.
Who’s your biggest opposition and why? Titanium – very much a sister ship, they’ve had the boat for a fair bit longer and seem to have it going really well.