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May 21, 2002
Vessel Data
Status: Enroute to Brisbane, Australia from Auckland, New Zealand
Latitude: 36-02.7’S
Longitude: 174-56.5’E
Total Distance: 1330.1 miles
Gone: 46.25 miles
24 Hr. Dist.: 46.25 miles
To Go: 1283.85 miles
Current Speed: 12.8 kts.
Engine Setting: 95 RPM’s Port engine
Weather:
Air Temperature: 66°F
Humidity: 89%
Wind: NE 31 Knots
Clouds: Overcast
Sea Temperature: 66°F
Currents: mod. 325°
Water Depth: 161 Meters
Sunrise: 0714
Sunset: 1720
Aboard the TSGB
Days 29-31
Daily Log:
 We arrived in Auckland harbor early Saturday morning May 18. Unfortunately, it was overcast
and rained all three days we were here. But, that did not dampen the spirits of the crew eager to experience this wonderful city. It has grown
appreciably in the 30 years since I was here last. The most prominent new feature is the Sky Tower, which is reminiscent of Seattle’s Space
Needle. For $100, you can bungee jump off of it.
 Cadets gaze in anticipation of their time in Auckland, the City Of Sails, while the bow
mooring crew considers our stern first approach into Princess pier.
The port stay was popular for a variety of reasons. In addition to the many things to see and enjoy,
the U.S. dollar is strong against the New Zealand dollar. A New Zealand dollar only costs you 48 cents. The people were as friendly as I remembered.
 It is said that the national pastime is sailing and that there are more sailboats per capita than anywhere else in the world. They take
their sailing and Rugby very seriously down here. Cricket is a strong third.
Being the current holders of the America’s Cup (located in Auckland’s Royal New Zealand Yacht Club), everyone here is getting ready to defend the Cup against the
world’s challengers. The races are scheduled for October of this year.
A number of staff and students paid a fee to actually go out on an America Cup 12-meter class
racing sailboat for an afternoon and participate as a crewman. The fellows you may have seen
raising sails on the winches of these boats are called “grinders” as they pump away on the bicycle type winch handles. It is very hard work.
The Swiss team has a promotional simulator in the America’s Cup Village where you can challenge
their team’s “grinder” using a set of handles connected to a video display. Our own David Coleman,
a deck instructor, actually beat the Swiss teams time to grind up the mainsail. They actually tried to recruit Dave on the spot.
The cruise is half over as we head across the Tasman Sea towards Australia. Unfortunately, we are
riding along the edge of a gale that has us pitching up and down in 20-25 foot seas.
Captain
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