Lion NZ To Compete In Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race

Press Release 07 October 2009

Lion New Zealand To Compete In Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race - 25 Years After Heroic Win.

Iconic Kiwi yacht, Lion New Zealand, officially announced today that it will compete in this years 2009 Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race, 25 years on from winning the gruelling race in 1984.

“Commemoration and celebration will be the theme onboard Lion New Zealand” says the 2009 Skipper, Alistair Moore, when it embarks on the infamous 628 nautical mile race on 26th December.

“It’s a great honour to be racing onboard such a magnificent yacht that has been crewed by many of our country’s yachting legends” Moore said. “A number of the crew this time around are the children of those who led Lion to victory back in 1984. Sarah Jane Blake, daughter of the late Sir Peter Blake, Conrad Gundry, son of Simon Gundry and Sam Cray, son of Godfrey Cray have all stepped up to the plate. The race will be an incredible journey for all of us.”

Supported by the Lion Maritime Development Charitable Trust, preparation for the yacht race is in full swing with maintenance work being done on the yacht and many of the 20 strong crew being announced.

Crew member, Conrad Gundry (20) said; “I’m thrilled to be part of the Lion New Zealand 2009 Sydney to Hobart crew. Not only will it be such an incredible experience to compete in one of the world’s toughest short course races, but to be sailing like Dad did on the yacht 25 years ago is just awesome!”

To mark the 25th Anniversary of Lion’s win a cocktail party with
New Zealand’s greatest yachting legends and personalities is being held on Saturday 17th October, at the New Zealand National Maritime Museum.

Yachting heroes such as Grant Dalton, Simon Gundry and Kevin Shoebridge, along with yachting commentator Peter Montgomery who reported from Lion during the 1984 race, will be at the function to commemorate the win.

A berth on board Lion New Zealand for the 2009 Sydney to Hobart race will also be auctioned on the evening with the proceeds from this and other auctioned prizes, going directly to the Lion Maritime Development Charitable Trust.

Trustee William Goodfellow said, ”We’re delighted to be able to make Lion New Zealand available for the 2009 Sydney to Hobart race, 25 years after her historic win. ”

The public will have the opportunity to farewell the yacht and give them a traditional kiwi send off in early December when Lion New Zealand departs from Auckland to begin its voyage to Australia.

Members of the public are invited to support the Lion Maritime Development Charitable Trust by making donations. There are also very limited berths available on the deliveries and on the Sydney to Hobart Race where a cost contribution will apply. For further information please contact Melissa at info@lionnewzealand.com.

Lion New Zealand won the 1984 Sydney to Hobart race which was skippered by the late Sir Peter Blake with the crew including other yachting legends such as Grant Dalton, Simon Gundry and Kevin Shoebridge. Only 46 of the 152 starters crossing the finish line, in what is said to have been one of the toughest Sydney to Hobart races ever.

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