Alfa Romeo gets Kiwi brush-up
Giant maxi yacht gears up for Rolex Sydney-Hobart RaceSydney-based, New Zealand-born yachtsman Neville Crichton's all-conquering super maxi yacht Alfa Romeo II has docked in Auckland after an uneventful cruise from Hawaii following its domination of the Los Angeles to Honolulu Transpac Race.
The 30 metre carbon-fibre vessel will undergo a mast to keel inspection and overhaul to prepare for the 2009 HSBC Premier Coastal Classic in New Zealand on October 23. She will then be sailed across the Tasman to get ready for her showdown with Bob Oatley's Wild Oats XI in this years Rolex Sydney-Hobart Race.
Wild Oats is one of the few yachts to have ever defeated Alfa Romeo and Crichton is determined to turn the tables in this year's Hobart classic. The 630 nautical mile ocean race is one of the few major international races that Alfa has not won on handicap or taken line honours.
Crichton's newest yacht, Alfa Romeo III, a 70 foot mini-maxi, made a stunning debut at the Copa del Ray regatta in Spain earlier this month. The yacht won six of the event's 10 races, despite the crew still sorting out how best to drive the yacht in light winds.
Alfa III is now being set up for the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup in September at Sardinina's Costa Smeralda.
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