Taeping wins HSBC Premier Coastal Classic
25/10/2008

UPDATED 0830 MONDAY 28 OCT - The most challenging HSBC Premier Coastal Classic yacht race in many years was won, for the second year in a row, by Dave Andrews’ 44 foot catamaran, Taeping. Taeping finished at 0023hrs Saturday morning and was followed into Russell by Simon Hull’s Transpac 52, V5, at 0109hrs.

The next boats to arrive in Russell were the canting keeled 50 footer Sportivo, the iconic expatriate Kiwi boat Ragtime (nee Infidel) and the folding trimaran, Predictwind.com (also known as Need for Speed), skippered by Jon Bilger.

Only 83 of the original 229 entrants finished the race, with others opting to retire because of the uncomfortable conditions or gear breakages.

The fleet saw 20-30 knots of breeze through to the early hours of Saturday morning. But it wasn’t the strength so much as the direction and the seastate that caused problems for some boats. And while a few retired due to breakages, most took the cautious option of dropping out at or near Kawau where they knew they could anchor safely overnight or run with the wind for an easier journey back to Auckland.

High profile withdrawals included early leader Sundreamer, Dan Slater’s Line 7 Marine, the hot off the blocks Farr 55, Living Doll and the canting keelers Ran Tan II and Wired.

But perseverance paid off for Taeping, which was was up against more than the elements right from the start. Skipper Greg Roake was forced to climb the mast during the race start to fix equipment, forcing a delay of approximately ten minutes, and the boat later anchored at Kawau for nearly half an hour to carry out more permanent repairs. But the last three quarters of the race seemed designed for Taeping which was able to maintain very high averages throughout the race.

“Upwind we were doing speeds of around 12-13 knots. But when the wind was in the east and we had to plug back out from the coast the seas were too big, so we slowed down to 6s and 7s to get to the coast, then we'd go back up to 13s. We went right in close to the hen and chicks, where there were some good gusts in flat water and we were hitting 19s and 20s. We sat on 21 into Brett,” says Greg Roake.

“It was just amazing in the dark. The port light was glowing red with the spray coming off the leeward hull. It was unbelievable, a moment to cherish.”

However he says that once the boat settled into a rhythm, they found the conditions fairly steady.

V5 skipper Simon Hull was surprised by the number that pulled out. “It was certainly easier after the withdrawals,” he commented to Peter Montgomery on Newstalk ZB. “We had a keel issue prior and had to mechanically or hand pump the keel, which made tacking a little slow, but other than that it was a good race. ”

“Congratulations to the winners,” says David Griffiths, CEO of HSBC New Zealand. “The conditions were particularly challenging and to succeed as a race winner is a demonstration of their seamanship and tenacity. The day has been exciting and has delivered superb racing.”

The remainder of the fleet were greeted by both sunshine and flat seas on the morning of Saturday 25 October - too flat for many, who were becalmed for several hours before the breeze found its feet again. The last boat to finish was the Reactor, Wishbone, at 1947hrs Saturday. Wishbone was also the smallest boat to complete the race, and winner of the two handed division as well as Division 5 on Handicap. Manga II was the only all-female crew in the event, and arrived in Russell at 1728hrs.

All finishing times were a long way off the current race record set in 1996 by Split Enz for 7 hours and 20 minutes.

Tom Coote, owner of Diablo, a Division 2 boat that withdrew, describes the last hour prior to their retirement on Friday evening. “With the wind building and a seacock and busted main block leaking we were holding our own. At Sail Rock she was really blowing so we moved to the double reef and number three, our smallest sail configuration. Peppermint Planet got past us here but we were still doing 6-7 knots. Past Sail Rock the wind was building and it was clear that the rig was not going to last even reefed down… So with a heavy heart we pulled out about 10 miles north of Sail Rock.”

Crew of the SR26 Space Station were rescued after running aground in their boat at Mangawhai. Coastguard Shift Officer Mark Fletcher says the boat withdrew from the race and advised that they were heading to Whangarei Harbour. However they became disorientated and ran aground. They activated an EPIRB and made contact with emergency services via cell phone. A co-ordinated effort between the local surf club and Whangarei Coastguard ensured they were recovered quickly and safely. They were already ashore at the time they were found, and the boat itself was recovered intact several hours later.

Further results included a win on PHRF handicap for V5. Division 2 was won on line and handicap by Outrageous Fortune. Pacific Sundance took line in Division 3 but was out of contention in handicap – the Farr 1020 Hicky Burr won on PHRF. Division 4 was won by Playbuoy on line, and Hot Property on PHRF. Open Country won Division 5 on Line, and Wishbone took the handicap honours. Within the multihulls, Taeping was the only boat in the big multihull division to finish, and Hooters led over Predictwind.com in its handicap division. Ubique was the only boat entered in the cruising division to complete the race.

This race may have been challenging but it was not the toughest on record. In 1983 only 10 boats out of 55 starters finished the race, when squalls of up to 60 knots hit the fleet off the Hen and Chickens and some boats retreated as far as Coromandel to find shelter. In 1989 70 knot headwinds and enormous seas drove 90 boats out of 155 starters home, and in 2001, 127 boats withdrew in conditions similar to those experienced this year.

Despite the low turnout on the finish line, sailors need a very good reason to miss a party and many made the trip to Russell by car where they were welcomed by sailing’s traditional party of the year, and hundreds danced the night away to the tunes of Phil Hart’s band, Agent99.

Race sponsor HSBC Premier provided a place to relax and refresh for those in Russell. “The community spirit and the number of people visiting us in the HSBC Premier Lounge here in Russell has been marvelous,” says HSBC New Zealand CEO David Griffiths. “My team and I have enjoyed getting to know the sailing community a little better this weekend.”

The HSBC Premier Coastal Classic is the biggest coastal yacht race in New Zealand, and one of the biggest in the world. It started life 27 years ago as a drag race between Auckland and Russell for just a few boats, and over the years attracted a bigger and more diverse fleet, consisting of grand prix racers, America’s Cup boats, and small family cruisers.