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Trans Tasman Bridge to Bridge Rowing Australia and New Zealand Update: |
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Bridge to Bridge Rowing-Its Still On Newsletter April 2002 The Bridge to Bridge Rowing Race planned for Sydney to Auckland in April 2003 is still in the planning stage. It has taken a while to get things sorted and a few changes that are being planned. The reason for the delay has been the extended involvement of Race Director, Rob Hamill in the New Zealand defence of the Trans Atlantic Challenge. Champion with the late Phil Stubbs in 1997, Rob was leader of the team that included Steve Westlake and Matt Goodman who successfully defended the New Zealand domination of the race. Rob is now free to apply himself to the planning of the Trans Tasman Bridge to Bridge Rowing Race. He has been pouring over charts, assessing current flows, checking weather patterns, working through design suggestions and considering media and sponsorship plans. The result is that the determination and dedication Rob applies to Trans Atlantic Rowing is now being put into his efforts to set up a hugely popular and successful race. Timing: This has changed and the race has now been put back a year to March 2004. This is the preceding year to that in which Sir Chay Blyth is planning his first four-person crew rowing race across the Atlantic. Sir Chay and ourselves agree that the Trans Tasman Race will be a good indicator of form and progress towards the Trans Atlantic for those who plan to do both. The Trans Tasman Race is expected to take the leading crews between 15 and 20 days and the race organisers have set a maximum time at sea of 60 days for crews. While it is expected all crews will be home within 8 weeks, those that aren't will be offered the opportunity to be towed to the finish line. The race will therefore fall between March 15 and May 15-final details of dates to be advised. The Course: Another change being considered is the race being from Auckland to Sydney rather than the other way around. The study of the charts show the supposed westerly flow from Sydney to Auckland is not quite as we expected. It appears the currents are more favourable the other way. Crews will row out of the spectacular Auckland Harbour, through the Hauraki Gulf and up the East Coast of the upper North Island. The course then goes to a point a kilometre or so north of the Three Kings Islands. Once the Three Kings are cleared it is a free for all across the Tasman to Sydney Harbour. The race down the bustling Harbour to the Sydney Harbour Bridge-one of the world's great landmarks. Boat Design: We are working with Sir Chay Blyth to finalise a design that may be used in both the Trans Tasman Race and the Trans Atlantic later in the year. Standardising the design and all specifications ensures cheaper costs in both races. The design features three rowing stations and a relatively comfortable rest area. This area will accommodate all crew members in the event of bad weather. The design is currently under wraps but has some revolutionary features designed for stability, speed and safety. Boats will be provided as a shell to be fitted out by crews to minimum specifications detailed by the race organisors. The organisers of the Trans Tasman Race will arrange to have fitouts done in Auckland if it suits competitors. This may be a good option for crews travelling from outside of New Zealand who do not wish to have shells delivered to their area, fitted out and then shipped back to New Zealand. The boat will be designed to be self-righting, will carry state of the art communication systems and all necessary safety aids. Details of design, specifications and construction will be released to crews very soon. Entries: The race is to be confined to a maximum of 25 crews. Ideally we would like to have full crews but if there are individuals or groups of less than 4 who wish to enter, the organisers will endeavour to put composite teams together that can form a competitive crew. Crews will be expected to be fit and prepared for the race. The organisers will reserve the right to put crews through medical tests and to exclude crew members who may not be fit enough or suited to the race. The organisers will provide entrants with recommended training schedules, suggested navigational material and suggested fitness programmes and diets. Attached is a Crew Registration Form for those crews and individuals who want to make sure of their entry. The cost of registration is NZ$2,250.00 which is $2,000 plus Goods and Service Tax. Payment of the Registration Fee will ensure crews and individuals who register receive priority entry. The fee will be refundable less 20% in the event the entry does not proceed. The fee will be applied in full against the entry fee once the entry is confirmed. If you are interested complete the attached Registration Form and you are on your way to crossing the Tasman-Auckland to Sydney-fun, friendship and competition. You will receive regular updates, newsletters and information on Auckland Harbour, New Zealand, Sydney Harbour, Australia and the Tasman. __________________________________________________________________________________ Registration Fee: Per Crew $2,000 plus GST $250 Total NZ$2,250.00
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