Yachting: Ready to ride the storm

By JULIE ASH

Cameron Appleton takes some comfort from the fact his first experience in the famous Sydney to Hobart race is on board the new yacht Zana.

Built by Paul Hakes and designed by Brett Bakewell White, the 30m IRC-rated maxi is the biggest ocean-racing monohull built in New Zealand for a New Zealander.

Owned by Wellington businessman Stewart Thwaites and understood to be worth $6 million, Zana's first race is the blue-water classic which starts on Boxing Day.

"It is certainly a different animal to what I am used to," said Appleton, who sailed with Team New Zealand as a helmsman in 2000 and this year.

"It has been a lot of fun in the buildup so hopefully that will continue into the race."

The boat was launched in Wellington in October. Since then the 24-strong New Zealand crew have sailed from Wellington to Auckland in preparation for the race.

"The boat has been designed and built well and should be the right equipment to go and win the Hobart for Stuart," Appleton said.

Zana's biggest threat for line honours is expected to come from Grant Warrington's Australian yacht Skandia.

Both boats are built from carbon fibre, but Skandia has a revolutionary canting keel and electric winches, whereas Zana is a relatively conventional maxi, although it does have trim tabs on the rudder.

"In different wind strengths there will probably be noticeable differences. But who knows, the boats are very different," Appleton said, when asked to compare the yachts. "Zana has been designed around the Hobart a little bit so anything on the wind we are favouring those sort of conditions but any light air will suit the boat as well."

Although Zana is the only New Zealand boat in the race Appleton said there were plenty of New Zealanders crewing on other boats.

"The race is something I have looked at doing in the past but due to other commitments like the America's Cup it hasn't worked out. But it is something I have wanted to tick off and now it is on a boat that is big enough so I am pretty happy and comfortable doing it."

The stretch between Sydney and Hobart has a tendency to be stormy.

Six sailors died in the 1998 race after a severe storm hit - something Appleton is well aware of.

"It has got the massive reputation to turn on some real nasty weather.

"But let's just hope we don't encounter any of these nasty storms that seem to go in five-year cycles and we just get the typical breeze in the 30s [knots] rather than into the 50s."

Following the Sydney-Hobart, a European campaign is planned for Zana.

Appleton, who has not re-signed with Team New Zealand at this stage, would be keen to continue with the boat in Europe.

"I also hope to do a bit more match racing next year and continue my Etchell sailing as the world championships are in July.

"So that is going to be a focus at this stage. After that, who knows?"