New Zealand's hopes of entering an all-Kiwi team in the round-the-world classic - The Ocean Race - for the first time in over 25 years took a giant step forward this week.
Ocean Racing New Zealand had their first official training on the weekend, a sight that was a long time coming for Bianca Cook, one of the main instigators behind the 2022 entry.
"It's awesome to be sailing with this crew," Cook tells Newshub. "We've got a great group of sailors on board, the breeze is just started to fill in now, so it should be a great day out on the Waitemata."
New Zealand ocean racing is as much about sailing on the calmer waters of the Waitemata, as riding the big waves in the Southern Ocean.
Cook hopes this legacy project will help reignite the passion for ocean racing in Aotearoa.
"We all mostly came here by boat," Cook says. "We've got some incredible ocean sailors here, and we don't want it to be a one and done.
"We want to continue and recreate a long-lasting legacy, and get more people into ocean sailing again."
Just training on the Waitemata was a milestone moment in the quest for their vision, providing a first chance to test systems, crew, equipment and manoeuvres.
And to help, they've got two-time Ocean Race winner Daryl Wislang on board.
"I think what they're trying to create, with the legacy and pathway into ocean sailing for the younger generation, is amazing," Wislang tells Newshub.
While last week was the first chance for the team to sail, the first chance to race will be the Coastal Classic at the end of October.
"I think its New Zealand's great race, so it's awesome to be able to have our first race," says Cook. "It's a huge milestone.
"We've had the boat here in New Zealand for well over a year, but we haven't been sailing for two years, since the end of the Ocean Race, so just to be involved in a local race here in New Zealand - I mean, it's awesome."
The Coastal Classic will be a new experience for all, including Wislang, who has never done the iconic Auckland-to-Russell race before.
"Yeah, it's quite strange really," says Wislang. "You sail around the world four or five times, and you haven't done the Coastal Classic.
"I'm really looking forward to the trip up the coast and the Coastal Classic. It'll be a chance to learn for everyone."
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