SYDNEY - The 2005 vintage of New Zealand super maxi Alpha Romeo has started its ocean-going career, impressing skipper Neville Crichton after trials on Sydney Harbour.
Expected to be a leading contender for line honours in December's Sydney to Hobart blue water classic, the 30m yacht successfully tested its cantingkeel and bettered 19 knots in a light breeze on its maiden voyage last weekend.
"We could not have asked for a better first outing," Crichton said. "All the major systems were tested thoroughly before the sails went up and were found to be fully functional. The performance, even at this early stage, was excellent, both in terms of acceleration and outright speed.
"We still have a considerable amount of work to do in terms of finishing the work on the yacht, as well as training the crew and developing the tactics to maximise her new technology, but it all looks promising."
Alpha Romeo succeeds the original vessel of that name, which won the 2002 Sydney to Hobart and had 72 other wins. The new version is 3m longer, one tonne heavier and has a canting keel and twin rudders.
Once testing is completed Alpha Romeo will set sail for Hamilton Island to contest the Hahn Premium Hamilton Island Race Week from August 20-27.
Crichton will then take the super maxi to Auckland for more testing.
