Romanza beats Volvo 65 to win Auckland-Tauranga Centennial, 2021

March 28, 2021

Owner of Rapido 60, Romanza, Dougall Love, has just sent through this incredible news on taking Line Honours in New Zealand’s Auckland Tauranga Centennial Race 2021, held on 27 March 2021 with an elapsed time of 10 hours, 42 minutes and 46 secs. Competitors included the formidable Volvo 65, New Zealand Ocean Racing Team (which finished nearly 6 minutes behind in 10:48:05).

Romanza, an ocean-going, cruising trimaran…, also won on corrected time by an impressive 93 minutes. See below for more details from Dougall.

“Nice 130 mile race to Tauranga from Auckland on Saturday, 27 March 2021 (click on map to enlarge).

Romanza wins Auckland-Tauranga Race 2021. Click to enlarge. — Romanza wins AKL-Tauranga Race 2021. Click here.

“Romanza took line honours ahead of the Volvo 65 (from The Ocean Race), New Zealand Ocean Racing, that’s been winning everything.

“We put 15 minutes on her upwind in 16-22 knots and bumpy seas in the first 35 mile leg.

“We then gapped off with slightly eased sheets to 30 minutes ahead before putting another five minutes on her with Code Zero reaching. She then got back into us as it went light and aft.

“Romanza still beat New Zealand Ocean Racing by 10 minutes for a great win.

Auckland-Tauranga Trophy 2021. Click here.

“Next boat was two hours back!!

“Comfortable and fast sailing.

“Roast lamb dinner with rum when we arrived (at Tauranga) – and all with the washing machine still onboard!” [Ed’s note, when Romanza won the 2020 Yates Cup, the crew enjoyed a lamb shanks dinner during the actual race. And, the same washing machine “performed perfectly” when Romanza crossed the Tasman Sea in 2018.)