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NSGCYR: Minerva might just give the TP52s “a bit of a fright”

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  • 23 Jul, 2025 04:46:00 PM
NSGCYR: Minerva might just give the TP52s “a bit of a fright”

NSGCYR: Minerva might just give the TP52s “a bit of a fright”

Less than two months since arriving in Australia from New Zealand, the Ker 40 Minerva will race to Queensland in the 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race (NSGCYR).

Ed Cox, the yacht’s co-owner with his cousin William Cox, said most of Minerva’s crew doubted the yacht would be ready in time for the 384 nautical mile race, which kicks off this Saturday.

“The first goal was actually getting to the start line, given the boat arrived in Australia in the middle of May,” Cox said. “Most of the crew didn’t think we’d achieve that.

“We have already achieved our number one goal. Now, if we can get to the end and be competitive and get the best out of the boat given the short time we’ve had – I think that’s the ultimate goal.

“But we’ll be pushing it as hard as we can.”

Minerva out for a training session on the weekend.  Image: Garth Bickford

The Upgrade

Compared to Cox’s previous yacht, a DK 43 with the same name, the Ker 40 Minerva is lighter, quicker, more nimble and more modern. Trimmer, pit-person and backup helmsperson Garth Bickford described the boat (built in 2011) as a “TP52 shrunk down to 40 feet”.  

Zephyrus scooting along in New Zealand. Credit – Suellen Hurling/Live Sail Die

It achieved success in the New Zealand racing scene (under the name of Zephyrus and before that Icebreaker) including first place on PHRF (performance handicap racing fleet) at the Bay of Islands Sailing Week 2024.

In the short time the Cox cousins have owned the yacht, they have taken it from an inshore to offshore standard. Modifications include re-installing a head and filling holes in the deck to ensure the cabin stays dry.

“It’s been a bit of a process,” Cox said.

Crew member Garth Bickford said that last weekend the crew were out on the water to test sails many of them had never seen before.

“We put every sail up in every combination to see what did and didn’t work. Fortunately, everything we had in our sail wardrobe works and looks great,” Bickford said.

Minerva crew testing the sails on the weekend.  Image: Garth Bickford

Forecasted Reaching Conditions well-suited to Minerva

As for the forecast, Cox and Bickford keenly anticipate the reaching conditions the predicted westerly winds will bring this Saturday evening and into Sunday. One of the main reasons the cousins upgraded to the Ker 40 was to have a yacht more suited to the “reaching and running conditions that we see in some of Australia’s East Coast races”.

“The old boat was very hard to sail to its rating in any sort of reaching conditions,” Cox said.

Bickford added: “She [the new Minerva] is a fat planning boat at the end of the day. Anything on the ear [reach] or running is ideal.

“That being said, I’m sure she’ll hold her own upwind which we might get at the start of the race.”

Meet the crew

Joining Ed, William and Bickford on board Minerva for the race north are a “collection of people” who have sailed with Cox for 20 or more years.

Harri Wren, who sailed on the yacht in New Zealand for the last four years, will also join the team.

“She knows the boat inside and out,” Bickford said. “Her knowledge of the boat and skill will be a great addition.”

Watch out TP52s

Like Cox, Bickford is careful not to draw any conclusions about the possibility of a divisional win. But after successful training sessions, the 22-year-old sailor is optimistic.

“Obviously with a new boat, we just want to get there,” Bickford said. “However, I know the boat is capable of great things.

“If we can give the TP52s [Denali, Frantic, KOA, Smuggler and V5] a bit of a fright and do well in our division, that would be a great start for our first race as a team.”

HOW TO FOLLOW the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race

Featured image credit – Richmond Yacht Club

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