Zana, the biggest ocean-racing monohull built in New Zealand for a local owner, sails past the Auckland Harbour Bridge yesterday on her way to Sydney.
Built by Paul Hakes and designed by Brett Bakewell White, the IRC-rated maxi yacht's first major event will be the Sydney-to-Hobart race starting on Boxing Day.
The
30m yacht, owned by Wellington businessman Stewart Thwaites, is understood to be worth at least $6 million.
Zana is the first maxi owned by a resident New Zealander since the days of Sir Tom Clark's Buccaneer.
The yacht's carbon mast and spars were built by Southern Spars. The sails came from the Doyles NZ loft and the deck package was developed and supplied by Harken Yacht Systems. After Australia, Zana heads for Europe.
