Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race

The country's astonishing performances in blue water sailing has amazed foreign yachties and commentators. The fleet in the 1993-94 Round the World Yacht Race was dominated by New Zealand skippers and crew - and Bruce Farr designs. Despite the pleasure of knowing that Kiwi sailors had been hired to pilot some of the leading entries, there was no doubt where New Zealand support lay - the maxi ketch New Zealand Endeavour.

The classic Whitbread Round the World adventure brought New Zealand Endeavour, along with Grant Dalton and his crew of 13, home to Auckland at the end of the third leg of the Whitbread Race in January 1994.

To welcome New Zealand Endeavour - and the rest of the fleet - New Zealand Post issued a special round $1.00 stamp. The $1.00 stamp portrayed the New Zealand Endeavour against a background of a nautical compass. The first day cover portrayed the New Zealand Endeavour against a backdrop of the gruelling 32,000 nautical mile course which took the Whitbread fleet through some of the most treacherous waters in the world. The souvenir cover featured the New Zealand Endeavour and the French entry, La Poste pictured together at the beginning of the Whitbread Race. The souvenir cover bore the French postage stamp issued on 6 February 1993 depicting La Poste against a map of the world, alongside the New Zealand Endeavour stamp, with date stamps for each.

Product listing for Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race

Click on image to enlarge.

Image	Title	Description	Price
	Single Stamp	Single $1.00 'Endeavour' gummed stamp.	$1.00
	First Day Cover	First day cover with stamp affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue.	$1.25
	Souvenir Cover	Souvenir cover with 'Endeavour' stamp and 'La Poste' stamp affixed. Cancelled on the first day of issue.	$2.20