He says Auckland's milder lighter weather is suited to America's Cup racing, but Wellington's wilder weather makes it the perfect location for testing a yacht designed for ocean racing in challenging conditions.
"The strong winds that batter Wellington harbour so often are a godsend for the KIWI 40FC project. Windy Wellington is a bonus for us and we see the harbour as a fantastic gym, as a stadium for testing the boat in extreme conditions, but in a safe secluded environment."
The KIWI 40FC Roaring Forty 2 made its racing debut in the Normandy Channel Race earlier this year and despite starting last, it was leading the fleet by the following morning.
Ancillotti says it was forced to withdraw after colliding with a submerged one kilometre long pipe towed across the course by a tug boat, but finished fifth in the 2011 Rolex Fastnet Race where another KIWI 40FC Peraspera came second.
The yachts are also suitable for inshore racing, and Ancillotti says this flexibility means the KIWI 40FC appeals to a wider market. Because of the difficult economic conditions in Europe, where the class 40 originated, BTBoats is targeting potential buyers in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore, and Ancillotti says the company may look at eventually releasing a cruising version.
Dean Stanley, manager of the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club , says Wellington produces many top sailors and the aim is to have a Wellington Spirit yacht racing team compete in a KIWI 40FC in the next Global Ocean Race to promote both the boat and the capital's marine expertise.
The yacht club has set up independent company Wellington Spirit Ltd to raise funds for the team by running a business sailing league with four teams from city businesses paying a fee to race against each other.
"We've identified ocean racing events that stopover in Wellington and the World Match Racing Tour as two key events we should target for the (Wellington Spirit) team."
Stanley says it is all part of a wider strategy to bring economic benefits associated with the marine industry to the capital, and attract further yachting events to the city.
The club is also working with the Wellington City Council on a master plan for the Clyde Quay Boat Harbour so it becomes more of a public space. "Currently it's seen as a private enclave."
A new public plaza in front of the club and a new jetty will encourage Wellingtonians to get more involved in yachting events. Reconfiguring the marina will increase capacity by 33 per cent, and a Wellington Ocean Water Sports Centre will teach sports such as sailing, windsurfing, waka crewing, kayaking and scuba diving.
Stanley says Auckland has a strong international reputation as New Zealand's sailing capital but Wellington can find its own niche in the marine market place.
"There's room for more players from a New Zealand perspective. We've not trying to compete against Auckland, but to leverage off their success and show case the fact that Wellington can do it as well."
