Gipsy Moth IV is to be shipped from Auckland to Sydney to avoid crossing the notorious Tasman Sea in winter. Following her stranding on a reef at Rangiroa, in which she sustained serious damage, there has not been time for thorough sea trials after her £220,000 repair in Emirates Team New Zealand’s shed at Auckland.

UK Sailing Academy CEO David Green told YM: ‘We feel this is a wise decision, the weather has not been good with winds of over 100 mph in the Tasman and there has not been time to give GMIV full sailing trials following her repair. We would have shipped her from Tahiti straight to Sydney, but we stopped in Auckland after the incredibly generous offer from Grant Dalton’s Team NZ.’

While under repair in Auckland, the UKSA also had time to review some of the 53ft ketch’s systems. Following recommendations from Yachting Monthly crew including Paul Gelder , James Jermain, Alastair Buchan and Dick Durham, GMIV has been fitted with slab reefing, a bulkhead compass and a diesel stove. All agreed that the boat’s original equipment has not been ideal for use by youngsters new to sailing.