The foiling catamaran was hoisted into the water and they headed out for their first sail on the Waitemata Harbour.

The new boat, the teams “Beach Cat”, was always going to provide plenty of wet rides, and at one point the team took an unexpected swim.

They pulled her back up and were foiling again shortly after.

The crew will continue training on the GC32 and will begin racing in regular series.

Owner and skipper of Team Vodafone Sailing, Simon Hull said that after six or so years of racing the Orma 60 it was time for the team to take on a new challenge.

“We have a great bunch of dedicated crew and the whole team are pretty excited to take on this new adventure” said Hull.

“Foiling is the direction that sailing is heading and we feel that too remain at the fore front high performance sailing we have to start flying high above the water” continued Hull.

The new Team Vodafone Sailing GC32 under construction

The new GC32 will be sailed around the buoys of the harbour, racing against the already competitive fleet of foiling multihulls in Auckland. The Orma 60 will continue to be used to for its true purpose of coastal and offshore racing, with the PIC Coastal Classic being the next big event for the team who are once again hoping to beat the record up to the Bay of Islands.

Team Vodafone Sailing are also announcing the addition of a new gear supplier for both boats. The team is now fully sponsored by Zhik.

The Orma60 sporting the new Zhik branding

“When we decided to get this new boat we knew that we would need some gear better suited for the task,” said Hull.

“We tripped over Zhik because of the very well-known ‘dingy style gear’ they make and during this process we also discovered they were making world leading offshore gear. This mix works perfectly for our two boat program,” contiued Hull.

For more information regarding Team Vodafone Sailing visit the dedicated website:
www.teamvodafonesailing.co.nz

Follow the team via Facebook

GC32 Quick Facts

Length (overall): 12.00m

Length (hull): 10.00m

Beam:   6.00m

Weight: 950 kg (Including sails)

Draft (upwind): 2.10m

Draft (downwind): 1.60m

Mast height (above deck): 16.50m

Bowsprit length: 6.60m

Mainsail: 60.00m²

Jib: 23.50m²

Genniker: 90.00m²

* * *

Team Vodafone Sailing Media Team
For more information please contact:
Live Sail Die
team@livesaildie.com

Team Vodafone Sailing launches new website

There is heaps happening with Team Vodafone Sailing in the coming months so we thought we better launch a new website to kick things off!

The website will showcase all the latest snaps from our Facebook Page as well as data regarding the Orma 60 that we regularly campaign in Auckland, coastally and offshore.

It is also featuring our Live Feed which comes directly off the boat to the website thanks to our suppliers PredictWind, website visitors are able to feel the excitement of our racing from the comfort of their lounge rooms and offices.

The updated website has been created by our new media partners, Live Sail Die.  “LSD” is New Zealand’s largest interactive sailing website with an audience of over 10,200 on Facebook alone.

Owner/Skipper, Simon Hull of Team Vodafone Sailing said that the new website was a long time coming and he was looking forward to showing what goes on with sailing high performance multihulls.

“These boats are so cool and we love getting out on the harbor racing.  Taking our valued sponsors out for a blast at 30 odd knots really gets the heart pumping as well, and now we can show these experiences via our website,” said Hull.

Add our site to your favourites and follow the action.

www.teamvodafonesailing.co.nz

The 5h 13m time was a pleasant surprise to us all, as the conditions remained better than forecast, as the pressure stayed until the finish.

Earlier in the week it had looked like it would be a drifter, with light conditions expected. The prognosis improved all week and by race start looked ok for a reasonable trip, but with a lightning breeze as we got north forecast, we never expected a record time to be on.

4 hours to Cape Brett was a great ride, and it was here that made the real difference over previous rides. With our track even wider than we have taken before and the notorious Cape Brett “hole” almost nonexistent we kept moving well, and beat into the Bay in just over an hour to take 28 minutes of our previous best time.

One of the crew who is a speed kiter and recorded our race on his ISAF approved GPS, showed some great squirts.

Top Speed: 36knts
Fastest Mile (average): 33knts
Best Hour (average): 30knts

Despite a couple of moments when we “stuck it in” across Bream Bay and quick glances at the new rig every time there was a bang or creak, the boat went brilliantly.

With almost two hours to the next boat, as the lead draggers battled it out for their line, we were well ensconced at the Duke with brew in hand to watch Beau Geste and Giacomo come in.

We must also mention a great effort by Dave Robertson on the foiling kite board, coming in front of the big maxi’s, and only a couple hours behind us.

Thanks to NZMYC for organizing another great race and the wind, a nice surprise. Thanks also to vodafone nz, Fineline Marine and our team of sponsors who keep us on the water.

Team vodafone sailing.

Sail your way to victory on the Vodafone virtual sailing game and you could be driving our 60ft trimaran from a helicopter using the Samsung GALAXY Note 4 on NZ’s largest 4G Network against Jimmy Spithill– A Vodafone #First.
You don’t need any prior sailing training, but you do need quick thumbs! To be a contender for this Vodafone First and go up against Jimmy Spithill, go to www.vodafonesailing.co.nz on your Smartphone or tablet and play now.

PLAY THE GAME NOW AT: vodafonesailing
Vodafone are giving one lucky Kiwi the chance to take on Jimmy Spithill

Vodafone is creating another first by giving one lucky New Zealander the chance to race against Jimmy Spithill – the man responsible for shattering the dreams of a nation. And they’ll do it while hovering in a chopper over Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, steering the powerful TeamVodafone Sailing trimaran on New Zealand’s largest 4G network, with the new Samsung GALAXY Note 4 smartphone.

“I’m totally up for it and looking forward to taking on the best that New Zealand can throw at me,” says Jimmy Spithill. “Vodafone has come up with a race that’s high tech, completely unique and open to Vodafone customers. But as you know, I’m always one to rise to the challenge – and I’m convinced I’ll get the TeamVodafone Sailing trimaran around the course faster than anyone.”

The top 10 eligible players of the game will be invited to create an entertaining sailing commentary video on the new Samsung GALAXY Note 4. One lucky Kiwi who submits the best entry will get to play the game for real, directing the TeamVodafone Sailing 60-foot trimaran using Vodafone’s 4G network and their Samsung GALAXY Note 4 while in a helicopter above the course in the Hauraki Gulf – all in a bid to beat Jimmy Spithill, who’ll be doing the same.

Matt Williams, Vodafone Consumer Director, says: “This is another first from Vodafone, powered by our leading, superfast 4G network. “We’re excited to have Samsung on board to give Kiwis the chance to do something inspired by leading innovative technology. The Samsung GALAXY Note 4 has an incredible 5.7” Quad HD AMOLED display, making it the perfect device to steer New Zealand’s largest remote control boat!”

To be a contender for this Vodafone First and go up against Jimmy Spithill, go to www.vodafonesailing.co.nz and play now (from 15 October to 09.00, 24 October).

Jimmy adds: “I’m really looking forward to this. Bring it on New Zealand!”