TITANIUM

Design Stomp 38
Sail Number  16567
Length overall  11.58m
Length waterline  11.0m
Beam  3.7m
Draft  2.8m
About the boat: Titanium, the overall winner of the #RNZ2019 on both elapsed and corrected time is a Stomp 38, designed by Steve Thompson.

In the 2020 RNI Titanium will be sailed by brothers Shane and Casey Bellingham.
Home base Westhaven
Facebook Titanium Racing

SHANE BELLINGHAM

Name Shane Bellingham
Age 41
Relationship to Co – Skipper Brother
Has anyone in your family done the RNI before? My brother Casey & Dad had started one in 95 but lost the rig on 1st leg.
Yacht Club RNZYS
Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background Family spent 2 years offshore cruising the Pacific on a 45 foot yacht Waikiwi 85-87, came back & carried on sailing centreboards at Kerikeri & Flying Ants initially. Did Optis, P’s, Northland Tanner Cup Rep, Starlings match race, rep lasers, 12 Foot Skiffs, Keelboat – Thunder 95-98, Multi-hulls – Attitude & Charleston last 8 years, Round NZ earlier this Year on Titanium.
What appeals most about doing the RNI After the RNZ it will be the increased number of boats & competition!
What are your essential food items during the race? Late night snacks.
What will your meals be like during the race? Took really only Freeze Dried for the RNZ – want a bit more fresh food this time – most legs are relatively short so should be doable.
What’s your favourite point of sail and why? Based upon the last couple races, White Island & Coastal – blast reaching, polar opposite of what we had in the RNZ.
What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? Apart from injury etc breaking expensive stuff is the biggest fear.
Who’s your biggest opposition and why? With the huge number of boats, depending on the breeze everyone one could be competition on the day.
Whats most exciting/challenging about this race for you? Will enjoy the competition – such a variety of boats.

CASEY BELLINGHAM

Name Casey Bellingham
Age 44
Relationship to Co – Skipper Brother
Have you done an RNI before? Thunder 1996 with Dad. Dismasted off BOI and retired.
Yacht Club RNZYS, KBC & SSANZ
Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background School in Kerikeri. Early days on family keeler, a 45′ sloop which our family of 6 spent two years offshore from 85 – 87 encompassing various South Pacific Islands plus Japan, Canada, America and Mexico. Dinghy racing through high school. Flying Ants, Starlings and Lasers plus school teams racing plus starting the old Berocca Barrier 230’s with Dad on Northerner. Two years in RNZYS Youth Scheme. Started sailmaking at Windward Sails in 1991. Won E5.9 Nats 1996. Numerous Coastal Classics, 1st 1997 with Thunder.

Offshore with Chris Packer (God rest him) Starlight Express. Kerikeri to Vila race, 1995 Hamilton Island plus deliveries. 1996 Kenwood Cup, Hong Kong Corum Cup, Raga Muda and Kings Cup plus all the deliveries for these. 1997 Sydney Hobart and delivery. Akatea with Peter Geary . Samurai Jack. Lately Attitude then Charleston – the little cat with racks. Oh yeah and a few seasons in 12′ skiffs with Shane of course. Currently master sailmaker at Norths NZ!
What appeals most about doing the RNI I just love getting out there and making the boat go well.
What are your essential food items during the race? Don’t really care.
What will your meals be like during the race? Freeze dry. There’ll be plenty of time for yummy food in the stops.
What’s your favourite point of sail and why? Broad 2/3 sail reaching. It’s easy, fast and safe.
What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? The amount of unrealized potential it had and still has.
Describe your skipper/co-skipper in 5 words Similar genes. Quiet, excellent driver.
Tell us about the training and buildup that you have been doing for this race both on and off the water? No where near as much as we should. Physical fitness is a problem. Mostly concentrating on sail development and boat handling systems.
What’s your favourite drink and why? Rum and coke.
Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? Nothing much probably just chocolates of some sort.
What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? Falling off the boat.
Who’s your biggest opposition and why? Probably Clockwork and Serena. These boats are close to us in speed, plus we have a long history sailing both with and against these guys.
Tell us about your biggest supporters My wife Justine and kids Effie, Sophie, Cole and Grace. My parents Keith and Glenis Bellingham.
What’s most exciting/challenging about this race for you? Probably juggling three weeks off work and the pressure it puts on my wife and kids. But I’m really excited to be racing against so many matched boats with crews that I’ve known for well decades now. It’s going to be fun.
What sound system do you have on board? What’s likely to be playing? I’ve got a solid internal monologue. Anything classic rock.
It’s the night before the big race – how do you get your head in the game? No idea. I get pretty excited maybe just a family movie with kids.