Yachting: New Caledonia yacht race seeks Kiwis

Competitors could face racing up to 300 nautical miles into strong head winds. Photo / Supplied

Organisers of the second "around New Caledonia" yacht race are hoping to attract a fleet of New Zealand entrants.

The 2010 New Caledonia Groupama Yacht Race, organised jointly by local yacht club Cercle Nautique Calédonien (CNC) and key sponsor Groupama, will take place from September 18-25.

The non-stop race around New Caledonia was first held in 2008 and was hotly contested between New Caledonian, New Zealand, Australian and French teams. The Australian boat, Team Australia Les Nouvelles, claimed the title in the event's inaugural year.

The race, which begins and ends in the New Caledonian capital Noumea, travels around the southern tip of the country, up the east coast and through a compulsory waypoint at the northern tip of the country, just north of the Grand Passage (north of the Belep Islands).

The fleet then continues down the west coast and back to the finish line. The race covers 600 nautical miles in often changeable conditions. Organisers say the race has been compared to the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, in that competitors can face sustained periods of up to 300 nautical miles into strong head winds.

The inaugural race record stands at 3 days, 23 hours, 20 minutes and 50 seconds.

Race organisers say they are very keen to see New Zealanders again compete in this year's race. They have already sent New Caledonian sailors and prominent CNC members, Tugdual Piriou and Alan Queré, here to compete in a local regatta and to promote the event.

Registration for the race is open until August 20 and those interested can obtain more information at www.groupamarace.nc or by contacting Laurence Bouchet at the Cercle Nautique Calédonien: + 687 26.09.75 or evenement@cnc.asso.nc.