Rapido 60 #02, Romanza, has dominated a dramatic and ePIC Coastal Classic 2024 in New Zealand where she stopped to rescue a competitor before going on to claim Line Honours!
The iconic 119 nautical mile race was run from 25-26 October, 2024.
The race begins at Devonport Wharf and ends at Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands on the North Island. The race attracts diverse vessels, all navigating the demanding waters under a “Category 3 minus” classification. This designation by Yachting NZ mandates a Category 3 Safety Certificate but waives the requirement for a life raft or dinghy, putting greater emphasis on the skill of the sailors and the reliability of their boats.
This year’s Coastal Classic drew 67 entries.
Romanza not only achieved line honors but made a clean sweep of the awards, securing:
Line Honors
First on Handicap
First Multihull Over the Line
First in Division
First in Division on Handicap
In a display of exceptional seamanship, Romanza’s crew rescued a disabled competitor, carrying six people. The stricken vessel was drifting dangerously close to rocks when Romanza towed them to safety. After handing over to the Coast Guard, Romanza returned to the race. Despite the disruption, she still claimed Line Honours and Handicap Honours (even without the redress!!).
Dougall Love, Romanza’s skipper and co-owner, commented, “It was a tough upwind race, but the boat performed outstandingly. We took line honors despite the detour to assist another competitor. Romanza is a very strong boat.”
Janice Love, part of Romanza’s crew, remarked, “Romanza’s ability to point upwind for 15.46 hours in gnarly seas was epic.”
She added, “About one-third of the fleet didn’t even finish. We had headwinds, chop, gusts, and heavy seas, and the challenges only intensified when night fell. But the boat and crew were solid, courageous, and resilient throughout. The 2024 PIC Coastal Classic was epic.”
Congratulations to Romanza and her crew for an unforgettable performance in this year’s ePIC Coastal Classic!
Media Articles
Romanza takes line honours in 2024 PIC Coastal Classic, Yachting New Zealand, 26 October 2024
Romanza Crosses the Line Well-Ahead of the Rest of the Fleet in the 2024 PIC Coastal Classic, Boating New Zealand. Kirsten Thomas, 26 October 2024
Fleet of 67 embarks on the 2024 PIC Coastal Classic, Pic Coastal Classic website
2024 PIC Coastal Classic: FEZ takes keelboat handicap win, Sail-World, Zoe Hawkins, 27 October 2024
Photos, courtesy of PIC Coastal Classic
For information on Rapido 60, click here
#rapido60, #piccoastalclassic, #romanza, #linehonours, #2024, #newzealand
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