New Aviva undertaking trials in Wellington |
| Thursday, 10 January 2008 |
Designer Merfyn Owen has been in New Zealand for sailing trials on Dee Caffari’s recently launched Open 60, Aviva. After a couple of weeks of sailing trials and the mandatory 180 test the boat will be packed up and shipped back to Europe. Arriving in Portugal in early March, Aviva and Ecover 3 will be sailing together and undergoing the first of two sessions of two boat testing planned before the start of the Vendee Globe in November.
Sailing conditions have been exhilarating in windy Wellington, with great sailing being had by all. Dee commenting today:
“We had another great day of sailing today. The wind blew from the South between 15 and 20 knots and we tacked clear of the harbour entrance. Out past the heads the swell was much bigger and Aviva was able to experience her first real sailing in waves. We were not only able to soak the deck but also fully check the ballast tanks.
After a few tacks we then sailed on a reach with a sail change to a Genoa, before bearing away and hoisting the spinnaker. Aviva then surfed back to Wellington harbour at speeds over twenty knots and was fully comfortable whilst she was doing it. It was awesome.”
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