A perfect finish to the perfect Southern Ocean sailing adventure – and in true Auckland style the triumphant Translated 9 IT (09) were greeted with four seasons in one day. The stunning Italian Swan 65, skippered by Vittorio Malingri, sailed over the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron finish line at 13hrs 25m 22 seconds (NZDT) taking first in line honours, provisional IRC and Flyer Class. This will herald their second IRC win, having taken the title in the Leg One race, Southampton to Cape Town. The ten-strong crew were determined to retain the prestigious title in the Cape Town to Auckland leg and their dogged determination paid off.
Vittorio Malingri, Translated 9 skipper says they’re delighted with their tactics.
“We went south, you have to go south, that is how you sail around the world. Some days in the fog it was one degree, four degrees. We didn’t see the sun for two weeks! But we are so happy to be here. New Zealand is an amazing country,” said Vittiorio, whose father Franco, and uncle, Doi, took part in the first Whitbread Round the World Race in 1973. And now his son Nico, is the first mate on board Translated 9! It really is a family affair.
Nico Malingri admitted they didn’t know they were in first position until docking in Jellicoe Harbour!
“It feels so good to be here. It feels just amazing. It was a technical leg and we didn’t have any big storms so we managed to push at the right time and keep cool when it was necessary. The crew performed amazingly”, said Nico.
The OGR, a race celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Whitbread Round the World Race, means Translated 9’s triumphant return to Auckland is particularly poignant. The yacht and her crew have deep historical connections to the Whitbread and Auckland. In 1977, she sailed into the city under the name ADC Accutrac, skippered by Claire Francis, the first woman to skipper a Whitbread yacht.
Arriving into Auckland is like a homecoming for the adventurers onboard the iconic Swan.
