Young contenders

By ROBIN BAILEY

Among the huge fleet of 223 yachts preparing for the start of the Lindauer Coastal Classic off Devonport wharf on October 24 was Roustabout II, a Chico 30 crewed by four excited young women.

On the helm was 15-year-old skipper Claire Thrower, youngest member of the crew, but the one with the most experience of the yacht. The others were Alana Derrick (18), Jenna Lord and Alana Pooley (both 17).

The idea for the Coastal Classic adventure came through the teenagers' experience with Young Mariners, the organisation formed in the early 80s as a sort of Sea Scouts for girls. At that time girls were not allowed in the Scouts. Once the decision was made to sail Chico in the classic, the four did all the race logistics, organised the food and gear and plotted the course options for the race.

They also managed some pre-race preparation sailing Chico, but school and other commitments meant their first spinnaker hoist was at the start of the race. But their training programme had included taking the yacht out in 30 knots of wind, and tackling seas created by wind against tide in the channels, to give them some experience of the conditions they were likely to encounter during the race.

Two experienced adult sailors were aboard Chico for the race, Alan Thrower and Gerald Pastor, as back-up in case the boat struck trouble. That their services were not required is a tribute to the preparation the crew put into the event. Their qualifications are impressive for their age.

Alana Derrick, a seven-year veteran Young Mariner, has progressed through the ranks to Senior Watch and earned her Charge Certificate in the rowing, sailing and powerboating disciplines. She has a Coastguard Boatmaster certificate and completed the J24 keeler sailing programme at Bucklands Beach Yacht Club.

Claire Thrower is a Watch Leader with Young Mariners. She earned her Boatmaster qualification at 14, but had to wait a year until she was old enough to get her certificate.

Alana Pooley became a Young Mariner at 11 and has both her Boatmaster and Charge Certificate and has completed a 10-day Spirit of New Zealand voyage. The cutter sailing crew she skippers has twice won the Pakuranga Sailing Club winter series. She is known for her ability to dive under a capsized cutter to push the centreplate out so the boat can be righted.

Jenna Lord has had nine years with the Awataha Young Mariners unit on the North Shore and has progressed through the ranks to Senior Watch. And has gained her Charge Certificate. An enthusiastic lifesaver, she gained her Bronze Star and Bronze Medallion and is working toward her Bronze Cross.

Some extracts from Chico's race log:

* 10.53am. Started the race with Claire on the helm and are passing Rangitoto Lighthouse and are getting used to the spinnaker. Wind speed 17 knots. Boat speed 7.3 knots.

* 1745 hours. About half-a-mile from Flat Rock. Alana P on the helm and is harnessed in. Jenna is also on deck and also harnessed. Wind speed 20.3. Boat speed 7.4.

* 2049 hours. The stars are neat. No moon tonight but it is still a little light. Only an hour and 15 minutes till we get to sleep. Wind speed 14, boat speed 6.7.

* 0640 hours: All up for the finish about 15 minutes ago. Rum and coke for the boys who have been up all night keeping us on track. They deserve it. Anchored in Russell and the boat tidied up. The sun has come up over the hill. Good night.

Race performance:

19:41:06 hours overall. 127nm from start.

6.07 knots average speed and 10.59 knots maximum.

Roustabout II finished 10th in her class and the crew are thinking about next year's Coastal Classic.