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ePaper created 2014-06-11, 13:05:34 | version 1.30.01
142 began the long chase. Roydensuggested“whydon’twetrytheinsideRangitotopassage?” “Whynot,theremightbetwoinchestospare”camethereplyfrom the keenly competitive Miller,and off they went. Prince Hal, having left Pionnier for dead, was near the front of the fleet heading past Rangitoto Light on the way to Billy Goat Point when someone looked back and yelled“where the hell is Pionnier going?” “She seems to be aiming to go inside the light. God knows there is absolutely no way through those rocks!” Shortly after,the whole of Pionnier’s hull and decks disappeared from view of Prince Hal. Only her mast and sails could be seen above the rocks. Suddenly Prince Hal’s skipper realises that if the impossible happens and Pionnier gets through, she will have gained as much ground as she lost at the start. Panic ensued aboard Prince Hal as they passed outside Rangitoto Light, and they quickly hardened up to cut Pionnier off. It was touch and go. Would Pionnier hit a rock? Could Prince Hal getacrosssoonenoughtofinishupaheadandtowindward? Everybodywaswaitingtohearabang,asitwasdeadlowtide. Pionnierwasboundtohit. Unbelievably,shesomehowmadeitthrough. PrinceHalcouldn’tbelievePionnier’sluck. MillerandRoyden would call it skill. But their effort was wasted, for Prince Hal crossed in front by just inches to slap a cover on Pionnier, which they carried to the finish,winning the Championship. Miller still maintains that it was really great fun. Less than two months later, the Squadron Race Committee sensibly passed a resolution making Rangitoto Light a Fairway Mark, meaning that it would have to be passed to seaward in future races. Miller and Royden reckon they were just spoil sports! Pizzicato Sail No. 4606 Builder: Export Yachts Launched: July 1981 Construction: Fibreglass John Craig purchased the set of hull and decks from ExportYachts and completed Pizzicato in his garage. He sold to Vicky and Dave Kean in 1984. She was next owned by Sue and Darryl Voss, and then by Ross Seott. Pizzicato was purchased in April 2008 in a neglected state by Adam Hadfield who brought her back to sailing trim and plans to use her for local cruising. Playbuoy Sail No. 136 Builder: Export Yachts Launched: January 1985 Construction: Balsa core fibreglass Playbuoy was laid up in February 1984 but despite help from owner Roy Dickson, who had prefabricated some of the interior components at home, Export Yachts was unable to finish the yacht by year end. On the last day it was possible to get a transport permit she was taken away from Export Yachts and with help, closed in and launched, without a rudder and unfinished inside, in the first week of January 1985. She was steered to her berth using a borrowed rowing scull. Dickson’s comments appeared in Breeze, February 1985: “ ... new boat intended for the 1984/85 season is still not in the water. After initial delays in getting the boat itself, she is still without a rudder and mast. The presently favoured name is Phrustration.” AtthatstageDicksonwassiphonedofftocampaignanewboatintheWorldOneTonandAdmiralsCupsso Playbuoy remained in an unfinished state until late August. At that time the interior was finished,the rudder installed,the mast stepped and the boat readied for her first race in November - the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron race to Mahurangi. Afterstartingreasonably,Playbuoyhadjusttakenthelead,pressedwithashyspinnaker.Atabout Channelbuoy3,thetillerhead alloy casting bent 180 degrees. She went into a great broach past head to wind and bore away on the opposite gybe before it was possible to get the spinnaker off, drop sails and motor back to Westhaven. She hadn’t even reached Rangitoto lighthouse! Playbuoy’s crack crew setting the kite after a mark rounding in the 2007 Stewart Championships Stewart Association Collection