SATELLITE SPY
| Design | Ross 40 |
| Sail Number | 6162 |
| Length overall | 12.34m |
| Length waterline | 11.12m |
| Beam | 3.6m |
| Draft | 2.85m |
| About the boat: | Satellite Spy, a Ross 40, designed by Murray Ross and built by Nautec Yachts & Alexander, is a well know Ross 40 hailing from the top of the South, with an impressive record in local waters.
Sailed by Matt Kerr & Craig Smith, Satellite Spy has been spotted with a shiny new main, A5 and #3 Jib on board from our mates at Evolution Sails NZ, you can be sure these guys will be pushing hard to be at the front of the pack. |
| Home base | Waikawa |
| Satellite Spy Racing |
MATT KERR
| Name | Matt Kerr |
| Relationship to Co – Skipper | Have been putting up with sailing together for over 20 years. |
| Have you done an RNI before? On what boat and when? | We went around last time together on Spy. |
| Yacht Club | SSANZ, RPNYC, WBC |
| Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background | A bit of sailing in OK’s, Finn’s, FD’s, when they were an Olympic class, I guess that’s dating me.
Started keeler sailing in Wellington on a Young 11 in the 80’s. Sailed for a few years on Mr Roosevelt and then Terminator with Neville Wills. Have done a few offshore races and pretty much every race out of Wellington at one time or another. Like a few of the other entrants, we have been sailing in the Elliott 5.9 traveler series for the last three years. |
| What appeals most about doing the RNI | It’s an achievable challenge. |
| What will your meals be like during the race? | Spy has an oven, fridge and freezer. We will be eating well, accompanied by some Marlborough wines. |
| What’s your favourite point of sail and why? | Flat running with a symmetric mast head kite while, hopefully watching the A sail boats disappear over the horizon behind us. |
| What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? | It has pedigree and history having originally been Murray Ross’s own yacht. It’s also cool sailing a yacht that’s over 30 years old but still competitive in the right conditions. |
| Describe your skipper/co-skipper in 5 words | Cool, calm, experienced, smart arse. |
| Tell us about the training and buildup that you have been doing for this race both on and off the water? | The usual boat maintenance stuff, a few new sails from Evolution. Craig has put an exercise programme together to get us a bit fitter for the race.
We will be delivering Spy to Auckland so will get a bit of practice in then as well. |
| What’s your favourite drink and why? | Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Why? Because it helps pay the bills on Spy! |
| Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? | Nespresso coffee and good wine. |
| What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? | Gear failure forcing us to retire. |
| Who’s your biggest opposition and why? | Sleep deprivation. Last time around we made some dumb mistakes when we were tired that cost us places. |
| What sound system do you have on board? What’s likely to be playing? | If it’s anything like last time, Josh and Damon will have the sounds covered for the whole fleet! |
CRAIG SMITH
| Name | Craig Smith |
| Have you done an RNI before? | Yes! 2017 on Satellite Spy. |
| Yacht Club | SSANZ |
| Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background | Been sailing most of my life, work in the marine industry so always around boats. Numerous offshore races in NZ, Australia and SE Asia. |
| What appeals most about doing the RNI | The challenge of racing a yacht that normally has 9-10 crew with only 2. |
| What are your essential food items during the race? | Beer. |
| What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? | That it’s such an iconic yacht. Everyone seems to have sailed on it at some point. |