Aussies could sink Auckland’s Ocean Race bid
Auckland is under threat from Adelaide to be a stopover in the 2023 Ocean Globe Race that will trace the route of the original 1973 round the world race and feature the big boats that dominated the event.
Race organiser Don McIntyre is in Auckland for talks with city officials and the marine industry about the viability of getting the City of Sails involved.
He has a good offer on the table from Adelaide, one of two he received from Australian cities looking to be involved in the race.
‘‘Adelaide is putting in a solid bid and we are keen to find out what might interest Auckland because we’d love to come here,’’ McIntyre said yesterday.
‘‘If Auckland are up for it we’ll have a difficult decision to make.’’
McIntyre’s plan is to make a preliminary decision by midyear, a final decision by September with a formal announcement in October to reveal the whole course.
Several countries in Europe ‘‘desperately want’’ to be the start-finish port.
McIntyre has been blown away by the interest in the race that will feature up to 34 boats in three classes with the grand old Maxis involved.
Crews in the big boat division will compete for the ‘‘Big Red Trophy’’, named after Blake’s Steinlager II, the only yacht to win all legs, line honours, and on handicap.
Designed to mark the 50th anniversary of the inaugural 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race, the recycled boats will have no modern equipment.
While in Auckland McIntyre hopes to touch base with two New Zealand teams that have signalled interest.
He seems to have found a niche for nostalgia in the rapidly advancing yachting market.
‘‘I have to make it very clear that I love high-tech sailing,’’ Australian sailor and adventurer McIntyre said.
‘‘I love the America’s Cup and the technology is mind-boggling. But there is a whole group of sailors, a whole segment of sailing, that has been left behind.
‘‘I personally believe it is bigger than those interested in watching high-speed catamarans and SailGP and that stuff. We love that, but where is the real human stories, the human endeavour and challenge? A lot of that stuff is about speed and pilots . . . that’s great but we are going back to the roots of sailing and the general public love it.
‘‘It’s inexpensive because we are recycling boats. The competition will be strong and the fun factor will be high.
‘‘To see 34 boats set off around the world with 350 crew, it hasn’t happened in 30 years.’’