Nitro (a Chamberlin 10.6) entered the Auckland to Musket Cove Ocean Yacht Race as the smallest boat in the fleet, with the smallest crew and the smallest budget but walked away with a win and a lot of respect from the larger yachts.

 

Designer Robin Chamberlin joined owner/skipper Steven Arms and crew Chris Skinner for the race which included high profile yachts such as the new Team New Zealand Volvo 70 Camper and in the multihull division Team Vodafone Sailing, an ORMA 60 Tri. At 35ft, Nitro was dwarfed by the entire fleet as they lined up for the start, the majority of the fleet of 16 being 45ft plus and the next smallest multi a 55ft cat.

 

Nitro took out the multihull division on corrected time (which was the first ever international multihull race out of New Zealand) and beat a lot of highly respected yachts over the line, including the Maxi Lion New Zealand.

 

The trip home proved to be a little more difficult however with Steven Arms and Robin Chamberlin sailing two handed and battling heavy weather for the final two days, only to be blown back offshore by a 50knot squall just as they entered the harbour and what they though was the end of journey!