This is where it all began, the offhsore sailing bug, on board Lion New Zealand, Sir Peter Blakes well know Sydney Hobart winner and second place in the Whitbread Around the World Race.

Mid 2008 I had the opportunity to deliver Maximus the 100ft Super Maxi back from Sydney, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand, it’s home port.

This was a great experience for me as it was the first 100ft race yacht I had sailed on, in addition it was my first trans tasman crossing and I was sailing with one of New Zealand’s offshore legends, Ross Feild as skipper. I have to say Ross was very obliging with the many questions I put to him regarding how he got his campaigns off the ground, thanks Ross! and good luck with your Americas Cup team.

Sadly the journey turned out to be very beautiful, but not very eventful as far as weather systems are concerned, I certainly learnt just how much grunt is required when it came to sail changes and when the mighty Code 0 went up, getting it down was something else with a delivery crew of only eight people.

All told a worthwhile sail and yet more miles and learning under my belt.

dR