RobiNZ Personal Blog

Tales off yachts lost and found

The news tonight of a solo sailors yacht turning up years after being abandoned reminded me of Chris Sayer. In 2002 he was forced to abandon his 6.5m racing yacht 480 kilometres west of Cape Reinga, NZ, after a collision with an unidentified object tore the keel out of the hull. Two to three years later, see the linked post, it was found in Papua New Guinea, approximately 2700 kilometres to the north. www.mysailing.com.au/news/on-a-remote-beach-in-png-they-never-expected-a-solo-racing-yacht Last I heard Chris was still sailing around the world, no longer solo, with his family. Text from the linked post in case it goes offline.... Read more →

Proof of how dismally Google+ knows me

I read this as: Robin, discover ‘delete delete’ no point reading any further Read more →

The New Zealand Herald, without Rugby

This is the New Zealand Herald application today with the “Rugby” category turned off. Perhaps it slips through because there is no religion filter? Read more →

Two yachts, but what a contrast

Both of these are just a way to have fun on the water, but I think the foreground one is more my style (and budget). ‘Serene’ is 133.9m long (439’3” of those other lengthy measure units for US readers) and can cruise at 15kts… I’d cycled into town to check out the Volvo Round the World race yachts. Not quite the mega-race-yacht spectacle of days gone by but they look great in the viaduct. Beautiful summer evening even though it was actually the first day of Autumn. Read more →

Sky NZ Formula 1 2012 coverage sucks

As sent to Sky New Zealand: Do you offer a discount for my Sky Sport Subscription due to poor quality product? The F1 coverage from Melbourne was absolute rubbish. No intro, vast chucks with no commentary and mismatched sound (car engine noise after all the cars had stopped running?). In a year when Sky U.K. are promising better than ever coverage it appears Sky NZ have got the cheapest possible package. Regards, Annoyed F1 Fan On the upside, looks like (Ferrari aside) the racing is going to be great. Read more →

TVNZ iPhone app reveals why NZ sports media is boring

Look at the categories which feature then think what is consigned to "Other Sports". Read more →

No escape from Woo, even in Hospital

I took my Mum to see the Kidney Specialist (all good after this routine check-up) and in the Hospital public waiting area they had a TV showing TVNZ One. I know the Hospital can't control advertisements but seemed rather unfortunate that it meant enduring a "Mis-informercial" for Homeopathic medication. I prefer science to nonscience, I mean nonsense. Perhaps they should show Mitchell & Webb... Read more →

Party Central, are they are using our money to get yours?

Thinking why there is a need for the Rugby World Cup “Party Central”? It struck me that, unlike The Viaduct just a few hundred metres away, It is: A contained area away from other commercial activity Somewhere they can sell concessions to food/drink vendors Somewhere they can what is offered and pricing Imagine Rugby World pour into town and fill the existing bars, restaurants and clubs. None of their money would go to the organisers. Is that why they need to provide a place to party? Perhaps it would be more accurate to name it “Party Containment” Meanwhile the WRC... Read more →

So, New Zealand wins either way?

If this race ever gets going… BMW Oracle: 1. Bowman: Brad Webb (NZL) 2. Pitman: Simone de Mari (ITA) 3. Jib Trimmer: Ross Halcrow (NZL) 4. Wing Sail Trimmer: Dirk de Ridder (NED) 5. Wing Sail Caddy: Joey Newton (AUS) 6. Tactician: John Kostecki (USA) 7. Skipper/Helmsman: James Spithill (AUS) 8. Navigator: Matteo Plazzi (ITA) 9. Aft Pit: Thierry Fouchier (FRA) 10. Mast: Matthew Mason (NZL) Alinghi: 1. Bowman: Piet van Nieuwenhuijzen (NED) 2. Midbow: Curtis Blewett (CAN) 3. Pitman: Rodney Ardern (NZL) 4. Trimmer upwind: Simon Daubney (NZL) 5. Trimmer downwind: Nils Frei (SUI) 6. Mainsail trimmer: Warwick Fleury... Read more →

Grant Dalton on Bloomberg TV

Valencia Sailng have the web version and it’s worth a watch. Grant Dalton is his usual frank self on the future of Team NZ and the America’s Cup: Valencia Sailing: Grant Dalton talks to Bloomber... Read more →