Figure-8 solo sailing voyage of Aotearoa ends Sunday
American solo sailor Elana Connor will finish the final leg of her fundraising voyage on Sunday, sailing into Princes Wharf, Auckland, with a support flotilla of yachts, waka and the Spirit of New Zealand.
Her fundraising Voyage for VOYCE has seen the former foster kid sail a solo figure-8 around all of NZ, more than 3,000 nautical miles (the equivalent of sailing from NZ to Australia twice), to raise funds for NZ teenagers in care to go on a life-changing Spirit of Adventure voyage.
Originally from the west coast of the US, Elana was stranded in NZ more than a year ago after COVID closed international borders, putting her circumnavigation voyage on hold. She then set her sights on supporting the NZ foster care community, developing a scholarship fund and fundraising voyage to enable NZ teenagers in care the chance to go on a lifechanging sailing voyage as they transition to adulthood.
Elana only learnt to sail seven years ago. Since then, she and her wee rescue dog Zia have sailed more than 10,000 nautical miles. The end of the Voyage for VOYCE marks an impressive number of new milestones: 3000 nautical miles covered, 22 NZ ports visited, more than 1300 kids hosted on her boat and speaking with more than 1000 people at 19 different yacht clubs. She has also faced many challenges during her voyage: the death of her beloved Grandma, significant storms and rough sea conditions, countless boat repairs and more recently, a very determined rat that stowed away for weeks onboard her trusty 10.33m sailboat, Windfola.
“I was extremely committed to completing this voyage for these vulnerable young people. More than 500 NZ teenagers ‘age’ out of foster care every year, and their journey to independence is often fraught with financial instability, lack of opportunity and issues arising from past trauma and experiences in the state care system. Having gone through that specific transition myself from foster care, it’s a cause close to my heart. I want to show them someone believes in their potential and, ultimately drive better life outcomes”, says Elana.
Outdoor education has been shown to grow self-belief, confidence and resilience for young people, which is in line with Elana’s own experience. NZ$42.5k has been raised so far through her givealittle page, with every cent creating a new scholarship fund for young people to take part in the Spirit of Adventure 10-day voyage.
VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai, an independent advocacy organisation for children and young people in care, will administer the scholarship fund, supported by the Spirit of Adventure Trust.
“I’m grateful for all the amazing donations and support the campaign has received so far. It is an investment in the empowerment, wellbeing, and future of our care-experienced young people, and an investment in our youth is an investment in our collective future,” adds Elana.
On Sunday, Elana Connor will be welcomed back into Auckland city by a flotilla of yachts, waka and the Spirit of New Zealand. Vessels will meet at around 3pm near Bean Rock and sail together in what promises to be both spectacular and very moving. They will approach Prince’s Wharf around 3.30pm and Elana will be alongside by 3.50pm. The Spirit will berth at 4pm outside Prince’s Wharf for celebrations.
