Looping around New Zealand
A yachtswoman has spent five months sailing a figure-of-eight voyage around New Zealand to raise funds and awareness for children in foster care.
Elana Connor, who entered the care system herself aged 15, has met with more than 1,000 youngsters, hoping to inspire them to dream big, and raised $27,680 for sail training.
Connor, who left America three years ago on a solo circumnavigation aboard 1985 Sabre 34 MkI, Windfola, began the challenge when COVID-19 restrictions put her plans on hold. She departed Auckland in
October, heading to the Bay of Plenty, around East Cape, through Cook Strait, down the west side of South Island, through Foveaux Strait, to Dunedin and Christchurch; Cook Strait to Wellington, to
New Plymouth, around Cape Reinga and past the Bay of Islands, back to Auckland. The ‘unusual’ route has had the challenge of New Zealand’s changeable weather.
peregrinasails.com
Owners of around 30 yachts and dinghies at Meols Parade, Wirral, are being sought.
The site is to be cleared to improve the look of the area and to reinstate the car park.
Notices have been placed on the boats, and the council is trying to trace owners by contacting local yacht groups and the RNLI.