Boating New Zealand – April 2018

78 Boating New Zealand

“We’ve always been at home on the open ocean and this

race is just another good chance for us to do what we love.

Admittedly it’ll be pretty hard to beat sailing around Cape

Horn with your old man. But it’ll have a story of its own,” says

Hamish.

Te idea of solo sailing has always appealed to him,

although he knows it’s not for everyone. “To me it’s the

ultimate challenge, and one which pushes you to be the best

sailor you can be. You’ve got to be in total control – there’s no

other crew and this can be a real challenge when you’ve got a

boat to run and systems to keep going.”

Hamish’s boating career includes working on deep-sea

fshing boats, in boatbuilding yards, dinghy production builds,

ofshore sailing deliveries and circumnavigations, and race yacht

management. Now an experienced rigger, he’s lived and worked

all over the world and has run America’s Cup boats in Mexico

and notched up 12,000 nautical miles double-handed with Kate

on their former boat, the Farr 10.6 Pedlar.

Te Trans-Solo Race will be his frst-ever challenge alone, but

there’s no sign of nerves – yet.

“I’m sure the butterfies will kick in on day one, but once

that frst night is under my belt I know I’ll be fne. Right now

it’s just about preparation. And as with most events like this,

the hardest part is the fnancial side of getting to the start line.

You’ve just got to keep chipping away and not lose sight of what

you’re trying to achieve,” he says.

Hamish’s been fortunate to have Doyle Sails’ assist with sail

requirements, as well as KZ Marine and Harken.

“I can’t say enough about the help I’ve received so far. It’s

bloody expensive to do a race like this and every little bit

helps. Grant Bluett at Harken has been a massive supporter,

and the team at Half Moon Bay have also been exceptionally

accommodating for what myself and my father are putting

together,” he says. BNZ

LEFT Hamish

learned to race in

Zenith – a triple-

skin kauri build.

BELOW Hamish

will keep an eye on

dad – he’s much

more wily.

For me, it’s one of

those bucket-list

things that’s always

been at the back of

my mind.