Kiwi Spirit II being built

The scene is Kiel Germany at the Knierim Yachtbau yards where my French designed Finot Conq 53 is being built. Due to be launched in March, christened in April and sailed away on April 29th she will be bound for Newport Rhode Island for the June 2nd start of her first race – the Bermuda 1:2. In this some 635 mile race I shall be solo on the leg to Bermuda and double handed with my son Alan on the return leg. It will be my first opportunity to see her against some twenty other vessels and an excellent opportunity to tune and trim.

Kiwi Spirit II will not be as fast as her predecessor but with different sails and handling gear I hope to be able to carry more sail at night and into deteriorating weather and thus sail her to a higher percentage of her potential and therefore for me a faster boat. Its exciting. Stay tuned for the launch, christening and sail away.