children of the sea

Wild child of the sea.
Hobson West Marina - Viaduct Harbour Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (November 2013)

Scratched, bruised, and dirty - can't help but still see him as beautiful.
Hobson West Marina - Viaduct Harbour Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (November 2013)

Team Vodafone Sailing

One of the best aspects about our time in Auckland has been the opportunity to continually see the performance optimizations that Kiwis make on their sailboats.

Last month, I got an up close look at Simon Hull's Orma 60 Team Vodafone Sailing (VPLP designed/formerly Michel Desjoyeaux's Géant).  Hull's boat had some slight performance modifications made for the new summer sailing season which included rudder winglets and a new set of North Sails 3Di.

Team Vodafone Sailing with North 3DL sails during last year's summer season.
Waitemata Harbour, Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (November 2012)

Team Vodafone Sailing looking like a meaner sailing machine with her new 3Di sails and the addition of foils.
Waitemata Harbour, Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (October 2013)

The Orma 60 was hauled out near the Silo Marina at the former Prada base for the Luna Rossa AC72.

Rudder winglets were designed by Pete Melvin.  They were built & fitted into existing rudders by New Zealander George Jakich

dock life

No shower on board Anasazi Girl.  The weather has finally gotten good enough for a hose + buckets on the dock. It's pretty cool to think that Tormentina used to fit in these buckets. She's an incredible older sister, a huge help with Pearl.  

Hobson West Marina, Viaduct Harbour Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (November 2013)

Hobson West Marina, Viaduct Harbour Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (November 2013)

Hobson West Marina, Viaduct Harbour Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (November 2013)

Hobson West Marina, Viaduct Harbour Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (November 2013)

Hobson West Marina, Viaduct Harbour Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (November 2013)

urban playground

pōhutukawa sculpture

Our kids don't have many toys.  Tormentina is our top scavenger, and most of the things she plays with are found objects.  Here, she sculpts a beautiful piece of art for me, a treasure just before the warm sun disappears for the day.

Incredible, beautiful, creative girl.
Silo Park, Wynyard Quarter - Auckland, NEW ZEALAND (November 2013)

Tormentina's sculpture:  Pōhutukawa sticks, leaves, crimson flowers, sand & stone.
Silo Park, Wynyard Quarter - Auckland, NEW ZEALAND (November 2013)

workmanship details, north sails loft auckland

It is well worth a visit to the loft at North Sails Auckland to be able to see up close the beautiful stitching and craftsmanship that goes into the high performance sails made there.

Amanda Hargreaves, Sailmaker
North Sails New Zealand. Pakenham Street, Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (October 2013)

Jay Prestt, Sailmaker
North Sails New Zealand. Pakenham Street, Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (October 2013)

Andrew Mueller, Sailmaker
North Sails New Zealand. Pakenham Street, Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (October 2013)

Guy Hewson, Sailmaker
North Sails New Zealand. Pakenham Street, Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (October 2013)

Tina Coleman and Ben De Fluiter, Sailmakers
North Sails New Zealand. Pakenham Street, Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (October 2013)

sunset on the dock

Tormentina at sunset.
Hobson Wharf, Viaduct Marina Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (November 2013)

not afraid of the rain

#3 on the move

Pearl is now climbing up onto the water ballast tanks.
Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (November 2013)

There are very few spaces left on Anasazi Girl that Pearl can't get to.
Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (November 2013)

air time

My children are in the air on a daily basis.  Knowing where you are in that air is a learned skill.  Some of us are gifted with this natural ability.  To progress in a safe way, you've got to log the time.  Air time is a big part of modern extreme sports. Participate in life.  There are big rewards for the brave.

The Three B's:  be brave, be bold, be smart.

Climb to fly.
North Wharf, Waterfront Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (November 2013)

Tormentina barefoot launch.
North Wharf, Waterfront Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (November 2013)

Spiderman's big air + shooting webs.
North Wharf, Waterfront Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (November 2013)

Raivo defying gravity
North Wharf, Waterfront Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (November 2013)

Pearl, "Look Ma, no hands!"
North Wharf, Waterfront Auckland - NEW ZEALAND (November 2013)