Skippers log #54
Aukland, New Zealand
After a frustrating night and morning with no wind and strong currents against me, I finally crossed the finish line at 18:14 local time. Last night I drifted. I sat for hours in the same place, waiting for wind. In the course of last night and today, I hoisted and lowered the spinaker 8 times, going to genoa, sailing a 100 meters, stopping, then getting a shift, hoisting the spinnaker sailing a mile, then stopping again. Finally 12 miles from the finish line the winds filled in, and I had to furl the genoa 50%. I had to tack to the finish line, but it was a great feeling when the gun was fired and with in minutes Gwen was in my arms. As per tradition, Mark Schrader, race director came aboard with Billy Black and our host, Trevor Hackett. Billy has photographed me at every major event that I have done. It is a good feeling to be in. Currently I am under tow to the dock, eating icecream and will soon step ashore. I will be shutting down my satelite system and for the next week there may not be any e-mails. No Barriers is coming out of the water in the morning.
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Skippers log #55
Aukland, New Zealand
I have had a good nights sleep and rested. The welcome into Aukland was great. On my arrival to the dock at 7:30 pm local time, about 50 people were waiting. They played the South African National Antheme, Causi Sicka Leli, as I was being berthed. That was an emotional moment, with the crowd cheering. Aukland is very supportive. We began discusions this morning with KZ Marine, an marine and rigging company who wants to become a sponsor. The details are being worked out today and we should have an agreement in place in the next few days. Trevor Hackett, President of KZ Marine does in boom furling systems, as well having made specilised titanium fittings for several of the America's Cup syndicates. He is heading up our Aukland effort, have arranged for the boat to come out of the water this morning and have already removed the sails for servicing. Aukland looks like it is going to be the best stop over of this race.
