Boating New Zealand – April 2018

(Brent) #1

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.

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