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Hyde sponsors Tasman challenger

Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Hyde Sails New Zealand is sponsoring Auckland's Trish Lewis in her challenge to cross the Tasman Sea in her 25ft boat, 'Wishbone'.

For the first time in 35 years a New Zealand woman will race solo across the notorious Tasman. Trish is one of only two women in the 2010 Fitzroy Yachts Solo Tasman Challenge and will spend up to 20 days alone at sea, sailing her 25ft Reactor 'Wishbone', the smallest boat in the race.

The 1,283-,mile race to Mooloolaba, Australia, leaves New Plymouth, New Zealand on April 4, 2010. First sailed in 1970, it has always attracted an international entry list of adventurous sailors wanting to test themselves and their boats against the notorious Tasman Sea.

Trish a nutritionist and international speaker has won a number of shorthanded races in recent years. In the 2008 Coastal Classic from Auckland to Bay of Islands, 'Wishbone' was the smallest boat to finish when only 83 out of 229 starters completed the race. She was placed second in the two-handed division of the offshore White Island race and was overall handicap winner of the 2008 Auckland to Tauranga race.

"When it came to selecting sails for 'Wishbone', as a newcomer to offshore sailing good advice was as valuable to me as good sails," explained Trish. "Ken Fyfe has been a great help, putting a lot of thought into a Hyde Sails' furling genoa, which is slightly smaller than my old genoa so it will keep its shape better when partly furled and be easier to pole out, and a furling Code Zero sail for light airs. The furlers fit well with advice to keep off the foredeck as much as possible, and preserve energy. "Getting 'Wishbone' and myself ready for the Solo Trans Tasman race has been a huge challenge and the support of sponsors such as Hyde Sails and Fyfe Sails has been a key factor in ensuring I reach the start line fully prepared for whatever the Tasman has in store for us." For more information on Hyde Sails in New Zealand, see www.hydesails.com/newzealand
posted by Hyde Sails at 02:20
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