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This will ensure the correct operator picks up your call, so as to avoid delays and let you get back to trimming sails as quickly as possible!
The forecast
The long-range forecast shows a high over the North Island, giving light sou-westers for most of the race. With around 5-10 knots at the start, possibly building to 10-15 later, and then dying out as a NE sea breeze fights the SW true breeze in the afternoon, this year’s race looks more like a marathon than a sprint.
The PredictWind modelling app shows a Farr 1020 completing the race in 19hrs. Surprisingly, TeamVodafone is predicted to finish just five hours ahead with a time of 14hrs! With that kind of forecast, you’ll want to pack a good lunch, and make sure you take advantage of the RNZYS Breakfast before the race.
The good news is - the rain forecast is nil. Which means at least you’ll stay dry and have plenty of stunning scenery to check out on your way up the coast.
Tactics: A 'straightforward' race
Experienced tactician Casper from North Sails believes this year’s race will be “tactically straightforward”. But he urged skippers to focus on boat prep and crew rotation as a priority, in what is likely to be a long race.
Races like this tend to be won and lost in the early hours of the morning, he says, when the well-rested crews will be the ones making the smart decisions, while the tired and frustrated ones can all-too-easily bomb out.
The start:
An outgoing tide, combined with a sou-west breeze that’s likely to push more from the west down the Waitemata, will make crossing the line early a real possibility. So hold back, and be aware of your drift to avoid penalties at the start.
The middle:
In the light breeze, there are likely to be a lot of holes close to the coast, so staying offshore and to the east of the rhumb line is likely to be the preferred option. That means sailing outside of Tiri and the Hen and Chicks may be the better idea, despite this route being very slightly longer than the inside track.
Be aware of wind shadows from the coast as well, particularly off Kawau, Takatu Point, Whangarei and Cape Rodney, where the breeze can be lighter up to half a kilometre offshore.
The end:
The breeze looks like it may back south and lighten later in the day, so the biggest concern on the northern part of the course will be avoiding getting sucked up under Cape Brett, where there’s likely to be a massive hole.
Heading outside the Hen & Chicks, then aiming 20 degrees or so above Cape Brett (so you approach it from the south east, rather than the south) should put you in a better position for the latter part of the race.
Should you go inside or outside of Piercy Island? The breeze is unpredictable here, so it’s really a decision to make when you’re about five miles out from the Brett. Just remember if you choose to ‘thread the needle’ and go inside, it can be a turbulent piece of water, and in a fickle breeze this can be a route that’s not for the feint-hearted!
And finally…
This is very likely going to be a race with lots of sail changes. It may be difficult and frustrating at times, deciding whether to fly a kite or stick with the headsail, but Casper urged crews to stick at it, because the gains from using the right sails will be worth it in the end.
One big tip for those who aren't using a gennaker, or prefer to stick to a headsail with the wind dead abeam, is to switch to outboard sheeting. The gains over time can be significant, so just clip a snatch block to the toe rail or a stanchion base, and give yourself a sneaky advantage!
Thanks to our speakers and all who attended the Race Clinic. We hope this helps, and we look forward to seeing you at the Briefing.
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