Yachting: Top sailor's double victory in Auckland-Suva race

Jive Talkin scooped the prize haul at the Auckland-Suva yacht race prize-giving.

Ray Haslar's 35 footer, designed by Laurie Davidson, appeared out of the fog to cross the Suva finish line only an hour after Peter Blake's Whitbread maxi, Lion New Zealand. Eighth boat into Suva, it took out the race in both ORC Club and PHRF handicap divisions. Haslar has a long and illustrious sailing career which ranges from double-handed dinghy sailing through to offshore racing.

Jive Talkin recorded a top speed of 21.6 knots in the last 24 hours to the finish line. Line honours went to Konica Minolta, in a record three days, ten hours and 47 minutes, slashing the record by one day, three hours and 55 minutes.

One Step Beyond, skippered by John Lidgard, lost its rudder in the latter stages of the race and was escorted into Suva under jury rudder with all crew safe and well. The race's only single-handed entry, Skiddy Too, sailed by Bretten Holland, arrived at 4.15pm on Saturday. Holland who has sailed the Tasman single-handed twice, celebrated his 33rd birthday at sea during the race.