Issue date
Starting at 10am on Friday 25 October, The PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic is a 119 nautical mile sprint from Devonport Wharf in Auckland, to Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands, and is regarded as one of the world's great yacht races.
Ideal conditions for a record running race are a strong south-easterly. But according to NIWA statistics, there is just a 1.1% chance of a strong south-easterly occurring in October. The race starts at 10am on Friday 25 October, and upwards of 170 boats are expected.
Followers can catch the start from North Head, Tamaki Drive, and on the race website, www.coastalclassic.co.nz
Times to beat
TeamVodafoneSailing set its second consecutive race record in 2012 when it crossed the line in Russell in 5hr41:44, sailing at an average speed of 20 knots across the course, and improviding the 2011 record by just over 3 minutes.
In 2009 the glamorous supermaxi Alfa Romeo set the record for monohulls, of 6hr:43:32. But two of the size-based records have held for 16 years. In 1996, Satellite Spy set the record for keelboats under 12.19m when it completed the race in 10hr33.53, and in the same year, the Mumm30 set the Under 10.66m record of 11hr53.25. In 2009 the giant slayer Overload, broke the dry spell for small keelers with a record of 10hr:23:56, as did Frantic Drift, setting a new record for small multihulls, of 7hr58:35.
With the blessing of the weather gods, these records are all up for grabs on Friday. Can they do it? Anything can happen on the water and only time will tell.
Who are the contenders in 2013?
170 boats in eight divisions will race for line and handicap winners, according to each boat’s size and relative theoretical speed. The headline entrants are:
TeamVodafone – Holder of the overall record, the mighty red trimaran owned by skipper Simon Hull is so far unrivaled in New Zealand and will seek to better her blistering run in 2012 with tactics, boat speed, and good luck on the weather front. This is TeamVodafone's fourth PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic to date.
Team Australia - TeamVodafone’s biggest, and nearly identical, rival, racing the boat in New Zealand for the very first time. Skippered by Sean Langman, the extreme multihull is here to set an official Trans Tasman crossing speed record, and to face off against TeamVodafone in her own waters. TeamAustralia set a ratified speed record for sailing the famous stretch of water between Sydney and Hobart and has been expertly prepared for this race.
Taeping –Taeping, a 13.5m catamaran, is owned by Dave Andrews and is continuously updated and improved. Taeping won the 2007 and 2008 events, placing third last year. Taeping is more than capable of hanging on to the Orma 60s downwind, but upwind the bigger boat can be twice as quick.
Giacomo - An exciting new entrant because it is arguably one of the most high tech monohulls in existence, this 70 foot boat, formerly known as Groupama, won the last Volvo Ocean Race and is now renamed Giacomo, after the grand fathers of its new owner, Jim Delegat. The crew are using the PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic to prepare for the upcoming Rolex Sydney to Hobart in December.
Georgia – Big and beautiful, the 52’ Botin Carkeck designed Georgia is owned by Jim Farmer, and her return to New Zealand and challenge for Coastal Classic honours, is very much welcomed by the fleet of big keelboats for her performance and impeccable sailing.
Menace - dubbed a dinghy on steroids, this brand new and incredibly powerful MC38 One Design is owned by New Zealander Howard Spencer and designed by America’s Cup designer Harry Dunning and features the very latest construction and design innovation. The boat has wintered in Australia and is back in New Zealand for summer racing.
The Course
The 119mile course, which begins off Devonport Wharf in Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour, and finishes at Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands, is more or less a straight line drag, especially from Auckland to Cape Brett – things can change a bit at Cape Rodney as the course bends slightly more West. Skippers need to decide, based on the weather or wind direction, whether they stay inside or outside Hens and Chicks – and thread the needle at Cape Brett or stay well clear to avoid the infamous light winds there. But once they are around the corner boat speed is most important, and getting to the finish line as quickly as possible.
The Destination
Russell, with a permanent population of around 700 people, has hosted up to 2000 sailors annually for many years. The town, once called ‘The Hellhole of the Pacific’ in reference to its 19th century status as a place where sailors and traders spent their weekend leave, it is now a quaint, historic village known for its colonial architecture, restaurants and galleries. Current and historic photographs of Russell are available, including shots of the racing boats in the bay and big multihulls at the wharf.
For Spectators
Devonport Wharf is closed this year, so watchers of the Great Race North should head to Tamaki Drive or North Head for best viewing action, from between about 9.30am and 10.30am on Friday 19 October. Boat positions, progress times, photos, video and race commentary will also be posted on www.coastalclassic.co.nz
Coastal start is followed by the arrival of the Tall Ships
A lot is happening on Auckland Harbour on Coastal day - eight celebrated and magnificent ships will arrive in Auckland between 1400 and 1300hrs. Full details are on the Voyager New Zealand Maritime Museum event website.
