Boating New Zealand — January 2018

(lu) #1

54 Boating New Zealand


an you believe it! Lion New Zealand is 33
years old.
Sir Peter Blake’s fourth Whitbread
thoroughbread from the 1985-86 race is
getting a thorough refit to see her safely
navigate her way into the future.
A Ron Holland design, she is 23.9m LOA and weighs nearly
40 tonnes. Originally built to withstand the rigours of racing
in the Southern Ocean and around Cape Horn, she now has a
different role to play.
Lion is now owned and operated by the the New Zealand
Sailing Trust, along with Blake’s other yacht, Steinlager 2.
The trust was established in 2008 as a charity to preserve
Lion New Zealand and ensure she was available for as many
young New Zealanders to experience sailing and learn about
New Zealand’s sailing history.
Trust CEO, Paul Powney, is proud of the role Lion has played
in the community.
“She has taken 4,500 children on trips since coming into the
trust’s ownership, providing a unique opportunity to experience
the thrill of sailing and to get a sense of how Sir Peter and his
crew lived aboard.”

One of New Zealand’s most
iconic race yachts is well into
a major refit designed for a
very different role.

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WORDS AND
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
ROGER MILLS

LION


ROARS


AGAIN


ABOVE The
grand lady will
hopefully be
relaunched
early in 2018.
LEFT She
will receive a
new keel and
rudder.
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