Richard Martin Bio

I am 56 years old, married with 2 children 16 and 21. I was born in Auckland but have lived in Wellington for the last 26 years. I am an Engineer by profession.

I started sailing in Auckland when I was young. I sailed in a variety of small boats culminating in 2 years in the flying 18 footers. My first year was when NZ won the trophy back from the Australians in convincing style and the NZ boat Travelodge was the top boat. I sailed as mainsheet hand in DB Windsor Park, the no 4 NZ boat. That was in 1976 when an 18 footer was the biggest boat that Bruce Farr had designed.

When I first came to Wellington I raced windsurfers for a few years which was lots of fun but a bit hard on the body. From there I purchased a Young 88 which I raced out of Port Nicholson YC for almost 10 years.

We purchased Xanadu 7 years ago when we wanted something bigger for the family holidays. Gradually the harbour racing has given way to more extended cruising.

Over the last 4 years we have taken Xanadu around the North Island twice and around the South Island once and she has proven to be a good passage maker. We have weathered a 40knot southerly front between the Maui platform and Durville, and a 50, gusting 80 Northerly coming from Cape Palliser back into Wellington Harbour. Sailing in and out of Wellington Harbour is always fun!

This will be my first attempt at long distance singlehanded sailing. I have taken the boat across Cook Strait on my own, but have never done longer overnight trips.

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