Kiwi Offshore Racing

Maximus drops rig - Update.

There is an eye witness account of the Maximus dismasting in Sail-World.com - which is from one of Sail-Worlds correspondents Andrea Treleaven. They are also reporting that Maximus will be returning to New Zealand on a ship leaving in a couple of weeks.

For full story and photos see: www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=19025

Kiwi Offshore Racing

Maximus drops rig.

Sadly, we have to report that Maximus, co-owned by Charles St Clair Brown and Bill Buckley, lost her rig a few hundred metres before the finish line of the second race in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in Sardinia.

(Maximus awaits a tow after dropping her rig Photo: Carlo Borlenghi)

 Nobody on board was injured. At the time Maximus was the leading boat of the fleet and looked set to add another Line Honours to her growing record. Race Committee support boats rendered assistance and the stricken maxi was safely moored back at the marina, while the rig - including sails, boom and vang - were left at sea and will be recovered, although probably in many pieces, as soon as possible.
 

See full story on: www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=18997 

Maximus shows off her canting extendable keel and centreboard during Race 2.(Photo Carlo Borlenghi)

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Offshore

Austral Explorer arrives in Greenland

From Graeme Kendall - Update 05/09/2005

Update 05/09/2005 - Click here for a clip of Graeme's arrival, compiled by a Nuuk television station. Another clip from the same site can be found here.

Update 02/09/2005

"Arrived safely in Nuuk the capital of Greenland, an unusual place but have been met with absolute warmth and generous hospitality. I see the cup as half full not half empty and I have had an amazing adventure and had the opportunity to test myself and my boat, which I am proud to say is still in pristine condition.
The ice blockage has got worse so I definitely made the right decision, one that was incredibly hard to do after so much planning and traveling. This has been the most difficult part of the journey. But safety first and a new era evolves and hopefully children all over the world will have benefited from this trip.
I have seen so much wildlife in its natural element and enjoyed the unbelievable opportunity to see sights that very few have the chance to do in this busy world.
With thanks to all those who have sent encouraging emails and supported the Variety Children's charity, on shaky legs. Graeme Kendall"

See: www.astralexpress.com

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Offshore

Austral Explorer cannot proceed further North

From Graeme Kendall - Update 26/08/2005

"It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision not to proceed further towards the North west passage. The conditions are now too dangerous and I can't go against mother nature and commonsense. The advice I have received from the Canadian Coast guard and the ice experts in the Arctic, and from fellow sailor Skip Novak on Pelagic is that the conditions in the passage are not favourable for this season. The passage is not expected to open and a retreat would be dangerous. My plan is now to head south out of the ice bergs and make for Nuuk, the capital of Greenland which is also known as Godthab meaning Good Hope. The last land I saw had the same name some 8250 nautical miles ago. After 4 months at sea and over 18000nm under the boat it is disappointing to have to change direction but there is an old fishermans saying that - a decision made early is better than one made too late. I will continue these reports and would like to thank all those who have supported me and I hope that you will all continue to support the Variety childrens charity.
With respect, Graeme Kendall, 70north , The Arctic Circle.

When the wind fades away and the fish stay at bay,
When the the rain you need never comes.
And the clouds obscure the sun and the sea turns grey.
You wished you'd sailed around the world on another day.
G.K"
 

See the Australe Express website: www.astralexpress.com

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