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By the narrowest of margins, TeamVodafoneSailing set its third consecutive record in the Coastal Classic Auckland to Russell Yacht Race this afternoon, when it crossed the finish line at 15:41, for a final finishing time of five hours, 41 minutes, and 44 seconds.
This year's race was very similar, albeit slightly heavier, to the 2011 event, with a blustery start and heavy seas.
"It was on the cusp of being too windy," says Skipper Simon Hull.
The big red trimaran was down to three reefs by the time it reached the Tiri Channel.
"There were a lot of ups and downs in the puffs, we sailed a long distance," he said.
The boat maxed out at 46 knots of boat speed in one burst, and enacted at least a dozen sail changes.
"It was a boisturous day out there," says Simon.
In 2011 the boat sailed the course in 5 hours, 44 minutes and 31 seconds for the overall record, and in its maiden Coastal Classic in 2010, it secured the multihull record.
Triple 8 finished at 16:56.47, and Taeping at 17:35.03. Several of the big monohulls have rounded Cape Brett.
Photo: TeamVodafoneSailing crossing the finish line in Russell this afternoon
