Monk eyes possible NZ race entry

Dana Johannsen

There could be a New Zealand-flagged boat in the upcoming edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.

The Herald has learned America’s Cup hero Craig Monk is trying to put together a Kiwi campaign for the round the world yacht race, starting in Alicante, Spain, in late October.

There is one boat left unassigned in the one-design VOR 65 fleet. It is understood the consortium led by Monk has paid the deposit for the boat, but a final decision will hinge on securing private investment over the next week.

There is a strong will from Volvo Ocean Race bosses and officials in New Zealand charged with organising the Auckland stopover in March 2018, to have a Kiwi entry.

Grant Calder, managing director of the Auckland stopover, said past editions of the event have shown having a New Zealand boat in the race has a big impact on visitor numbers.

“I know a big driver for the Volvo Ocean Race is having the host cities represented in the race,” he said.

Volvo Ocean Race bosses also see an opportunity to capitalise on the enthusiasm for sailing following Team NZ’s America’s Cup win.

The event’s executive, Mark Turner, held a series of meetings with Team NZ boss Grant Dalton, who made his name in the around the world race, while in Bermuda.

Dalton wants to be involved with the race again but chief operating officer Kevin Shoebridge said earlier this month that while the possibility of doing the 2017-18 race was “heavily discussed”, in order to be competitive and represent the Team NZ brand properly, they needed to be on the water two months ago.

Monk, a member of Team New Zealand’s triumphant 1995 and 2000 America’s Cup campaigns, manages the China One team on World Match Racing Team and M32 circuits.

With most of the big names in the sport already signed on with other teams, it is not known who will skipper a New Zealand entry, or occupy the key navigation role, but Calder believes there is no shortage of Kiwi talent ready to take on the challenge.

“It still very much up in the air, we have the team, just not the money. But there has never been a cheaper time to enter the Volvo Ocean Race.”