Rivalry salts yacht race

Ross Currie loves the ocean and the sense of adventure it affords him.
He loves the thrill of exploring new cultures and unchartered waters, while meeting new people and confronting new challenges.
Ultimately, though, Tauranga's Ross Currie just likes to win.
A week of fleet racing against teams from five other countries will see Currie indulging both of these aspects of his character when the Pacific Rim Yacht Challenge takes to the water tomorrow.
Held every two years in a different country it is a chance for like-minded people, with salt water coursing through their veins, to get together for a week of racing and socialising.
"Most of all I enjoy the racing," said Currie. "But that's closely followed by the comradeship of having eight guys sailing together. It's always fun to do these events together with a big crew and having all of these people coming over from different clubs."
The Pacific Rim event sees yacht clubs from five countries competing every two years in an eight-race regatta.
"There's a great friendship that has developed over the years and a lot of the people who are coming back to Tauranga we have met before in past events. So catching up with all of these guys is going to be great. We get along with all of them pretty well."
Despite the convivial atmosphere of the regatta, when the boats hit the water old friends will become old rivals.
"As much fun as it is, everyone is keen to do well in representing their club, it's good competitive stuff, so once the gun goes everyone will be trying really hard," said Currie. "There are no huge prizes involved but there are some nice trophies that have been part of it since this started that will be displayed in the winning club's clubroom."
Currie is a former national champion in the Nolex 22ft class and the Ross 780s class and coming up against teams such as the Russians _ with members who have competed in the Olympics _ the racing is sure to be hotly contested.
Although his crew is getting a little long in the tooth, Currie believes the years they have spent sailing together will give them an advantage.
"There is a lot of experience that has come together in this crew. Most of them have sailed with me on previous Pacific Rim events, so they're aware of what the format is and how it all works. Most of them have been overseas with me before."
However, they haven't been resting on their laurels and have familiarised themselves with the Bruce Farr-designed Farr 38 boats they will be racing.
The regatta sees each team racing boats of the same class. Fortunately, the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club have managed to source six Farr 38s from its members.
Each of the boats is slightly different but Currie did not believe this would make a difference to the results as they will be rotated between the crews following each race.
"We've all been training in the gym for the last couple of months and we've also been endeavouring to get a sail on each of the (competition) boats at least once a week to familiarise ourselves with them."
While Currie and his crew have been getting to know the boats, when the racing is over they will have a chance to catch up with old friends from past regattas.
Trimmer for the Tauranga crew Fred Jeanes said he had a fantastic experience at the last regatta in Nakhodka in Russia and was looking forward to repaying the favour.
"It's a fantastic meeting of people and I think that's the whole essence of it. To live with a host from a different culture, with a different nationality, it broadens your horizons, it opens your eyes.
"The thing that we are looking forward to is showing them some good kiwi hospitality, showing them how we live, giving them a taste of kiwi and repaying them for what they have done for us."