The NZMYC Coastal Classic is following the fleet's progress all the way to Russell. If you are out and about and can see the action, or if you are racing and would like to share your stories either before, during or after the race, please email ccinfo@coastalclassic.co.nz. Contact phone numbers will also be posted below within the race commentary. All stories will be updated here throughout the race, so that your friends and family can keep up to date.

Satellite Spy's looks immaculate in this photo kindly sent in by Eileen Harrison. (Not Sea Harmony's, as previously reported)

Got any more great shots? Send them through - ccinfo@coastalclassic.co.nz

Great video from Will Calver at Ocean Photography


Watch it here

And, a photo gallery from Aquapx

View gallery

And another from Nexus Marine

View video

The Saturday evening prize-giving completed a few minutes ago, led by a hoarse-voiced but chirpy Jon Vincent.

Attendance was healthy with a marquee full of people eager to transition from prize-giving into partying. Although a number of big name boats were absent and missed out on collecting both formal prizes and some juicy spot-prizes.

TeamVodafoneSailing’s domination of this year’s event continued; not only did they break the course record but several other categories as well. Which gave them a new record of holding the most records in one year, if you follow me. Unfortunately none of the crew were present to receive their treasure haul, I am guessing they could by now be close to arriving in Fiji if they left this morning (joke).

However, the enduring memory of this year’s prize-giving will the surprise ending - in a moment of comic irony as Jon Vincent stood down, a brave lone Frenchman took to the stage to sing a heartfelt rendition of the French National anthem. The obviously All Blacks supportive audience looked on with polite amusement and gave our Gallic soloist a round of applause for his spirit. And then in a magical moment of timing the kiwi crew of Laissez Faire, themselves dressed in French colours, responded by performing a spontaneous Haka in front of our singing Frenchman – who gamely faced them off for the duration.

This unplanned sequence took place with fun and good spirit and reflected the entire tone of this year’s Coastal Classic. Let’s hope that tomorrow night’s game at Eden Park follows suit.

Rob Webb
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I took a bunch of pictures (like this) from the air, courtesy of Philip Hart flying me around the fleet in his light aircraft.

A selection of images are posted in the gallery images in this website but some are not.

If you see a picture you like or remember a small plane flying overhead and suspect we snapped some pics of you, then please send me an email with your boat name and sail number - and I'll send you any high-res images that I have:

rob.webb.nz@gmail.com

Cheers
Rob Webb
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The relaxed mood that has surrounded this year's Coastal continues this morning with the majority of boats having enjoyed a great race - with some close times dividing winners and runners up in some divisions.

As at breakfast time everyone had finished in Russell with the exception of one boat in the cruising division (Perspective, I believe).

This morning Russell is blessed with warm sunshine and light SW winds and crews are very much in R&R mode. One or two boats have headed home already and some of yesterday's casualties are in cleanup mode but overall, it this year's race has to be considered 'benign'.

The only recurring theme from previous more boisterous years is that Cape Brett once again proved to be the bete noir for many boats - they either lost time in a wind hole or suffered race-ending damage, such as Exodus' lost rig or Timberworlf's broken board.

Having said that, we had a couple of boats apparently not registering with Coastguard from Flat Rock onwards - but after a few tense phone calls in the early hours of the morning all 'missing' boats have now been accounted for.

So with everyone now safely in Russell, the decision to bring forward this year's prize-giving from Sunday morning to 7pm Saturday evening looks a good decision and should be well-attended.

I'll post a further update and pics following prize-giving.

I'll also post my contact details for anyone wanting copies of the aerial photos in the gallery.

Cheers
Rob Webb
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The video pundits have been busy at the editing machines and here are a few selections:

Martin Tasker's full story for TV1 (this was shortened so even if you caught it last night, watch the whole thing here)

Click here

Will Calver of Ocean Photography's clip is on Facebook

Click here


I'll post more as I get it.

Dawn is breaking in Russell and let's take a look at what's come out overnight.

Of 151 starters:

- Everyone has rounded Brett that's going to
- 15 have retired from the race for various reasons
- 6 boats are still racing - the tail ender monohulls. The last of these, Lewanne, called in at Brett about half an hour ago.

Our last report came from aboard Domino II about two hours ago, and it sounded exactly like champagne sailing. They told us: 'Crew fabulous but a little chilled'. At that point they were dealing with the typical shifty winds that you get when you cross the finish line at 4am.


Zoe

You've got to admire the plucky little thirty footer Karma Police that finished at 22.55hrs last night, eighth on line in division one. Well done team - you were impressive off the start and impressive all the way to Russell.

Rival Overload were about 20 minutes behind.

With 17 boats now finished and tied up at Russell, there is bound to be many yachties sharing a few good race moments after such a hectic and exciting race.

Vodafone remains the star of the day so far with a whopping record time of 5 hours and 44 minutes, claiming the record so it is once again in the hands of a multihull.


42 boats are currently making their way from Cape Brett to Russell on the last upwind stretch. If my calculations are correct this leaves around 90 boats to reach the final waypoint, so there will be yachts pulling in throughout the night, and well into the early hours of the morning.

It seems the 8.5 multihull group has been the worst hit by damage during the race. With a division of 9 yachts, 4 have finished and 5 have been forced to retire due to various breakages, including Lucifer's capsize just off Cape Brett.

The remaining racing boats will be now in full night mode, probably nursing their cup of soups and speculating as to how much further they have to go.

This is my last report for the night, there will be more from Zoe at 6am to update you on any race action from throughout the night.
Hannah

A belated shot of TVS crossing the line at Russell a looong time ago.

Rob Webb
021 36 33 36

Wind has softened and shifted to a 211 degree angle as Expedition Coppellia sit eight miles out from Cape Brett.
Still with 11 knots true wind speed to sail in, they should still be able to keep up a bit of speed, to get them to the final waypoint.
Hannah

Progress report times show that most boats have now made it past Sail Rock, the half way sign post for the race, and it seems as if the wind is holding in for the boats to continue their climb to Cape Brett.
With only 12 boats that have crossed the finish line so far, there are still over a hundred boats to pour into Russell.
Anything could happen yet.
Hannah

One of the smaller boats in Division One, Karma Police are currently rounding Cape Brett, still with some of the top contenders in sight.
Trimming up onto the wind for the final upwind haul, on a gorgeous starry night, Karma Police has M1 close behind, and Formula One just in front of them.
Hannah

As Hannah mentions, shame about the attrition amongst the multis. Here's an aerial shot of Timberwolf doing so well earlier today.

Rob Webb
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After rounding Cape Brett at 7pm, and going through some sharp bullets of wind by the hole in the rock, it has been an upwind sail for Akatea all the way to the finish.
Just passing Roberton Island now, I bet they can just about taste the rum!
Keep going guys you're nearly there!
Hannah

Just heard in from Domino 2,about two miles of Tutukaka. The breeze is slowly dying out, and theres a few discussions going on regarding sail changes, ooh the tactics!
The crew has shaken off the water from the wet ride along the coast, and are rugged up in their night warmies, enjoying hotdogs and soup.
Nice to hear everyone is cheery and having a fabulous time!

There seems to be a trend with multihulls losing foils this year.
After rounding Cape Brett early on at 5pm, Timberwolf had to pull out of the race as they lost their boards - again such a shame so close to the end.
Hannah

And the final start pic (there are many more being uploaded into the CC website gallery so keep an eye on that over the next few hours as it grows).

Rob Webb
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Bare Essentials is now on the homeward stretch, they've got blackjacks in sight! On port heading into Russell.
Hannah

Another start picture.

Rob Webb
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Better late than never (a bit like an All Black RWC win) some more aerial shots from the start.

Rob Webb
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52 Foot monohull Wired has crossed the finish line just in time for dinner in Russell. With a finishing time of 1942, these guys take the line honours for division one.
Awesome work!
Hannah

Just passing Whangaruru, the crew onboard Bullrush are having a good ol' kiwi dinner of pies. With other contenders still in sight, Zindabar and Mojo just ahead, and Cotton Blosson hot on their heels, the race continues as the evening sets in.
Hannah

Have heard in from Expedition Coppelia, just passing the Poor Knights after going around the Hen and Chicks. After gusts of 30knots the breeze has now died to 13knots. The crew are enjoying a hearty Morrocan Lamb dinner, mmm.
Lets hope that wind doesn't die out too much more..
Hannah

A local video production company called Shoot North took this high definition video for us of TeamVodafoneSailing flying in from Tapeka.

A bit of drama onboard Borderline as they are on their final stretch to Russell. After sailing for a while upwind the crew was bemused as to why the boat was sailing so well on one tack and not the other.
When they discovered they were actually missing one rudder that seemed to answer the question!
They think they may have hit something on the stretch between Whangarei and the Hen and Chicks, and since then have been sailing with one rudder. Talented sailors I say!
Luckily the crew is laughing, and will still get to Russell under sail, just not as quickly as they had intended.

Hannah

Three multihulls have now crossed the finish line, Triple 8 at 1724, Taeping at 1752, and the smallest catamaran to arrive so far, the 8.5m Dirty Deeds, at 1833. No doubt the rest of the fleet are not far behind.
Provisional Handicap results show that there was only 18 seconds in between Team Vodafone, and Triple 8. So it came down to a close finish, with Vodafone just ahead.
At least now the Vodafone crew will have some fellow sailors to share their stories with on the dock now!
More results to come.

Hannah

Team spirits are high onboard Domino 2, which is cruising past Sail Rock. Sitting at an average of 8.5knots in windspeeds of up to 35knots, the team are having a 'great sail, wahoo!', despite the lumpy seas.
In a few heavy gusts, it appears they have seen "a couple of spinnakers turn into hankies". You can just imagine it!
Over half way there guys, keep it up!

Hannah

Make sure you are tuned into TV1 news tonight - Martin Tasker was out there filming and got some great footage that you won't want to miss. The parts that weren't screened will be on TVNZ7 at about 2050hrs, and on www.tvnz.co.nz

Farr 1020 Strathspey has let us know that they are just passing Bream Head.
"Another couple of hours of sun then we'll be swapping sunglasses for headtorches. We've sailed the rhumb line so far and closing on Tutukaka will discover if it has paid"
Lets hope that breeze stays in for you.

Drop Dead Fred, the Ross 930 was seen to be heading past Whangarei heads half an hour ago, hot on the heels of No Worries, and Pepe.

They will be layering up with thermals as the temperature starts to drop - but with the sun still high in the sky theres a bit more daylight left in this race yet!

I'm sitting with TeamVodafoneSailing owner/skipper Simon Hull and his crew as they enjoy a well-deserved drink to celebrate their new record.

"It's great to see the race record come back to where it belongs, back to a multihull", says Simon.

"The whole idea of bringing an ORMA 60 to NZ was a plan born at 4am one morning after a previous Coastal, when we figured it was the only way to get the record back from a mono."

TVS maxed out at 34.8kts but saw extended periods over 30kts boatspeed. They put a 1st reef into the main at Kawau and a second at the Hen & Chicks as the breeze rose to over 30kts from SW.

Simon reckons TVS could shave another 15-20 mins off today's record if they could improve on the lost time at Cape Brett: “We said we wouldn’t come in too close but at 2nm we obviously were too close – again! Maybe the ideal wind to give us a new record would be E15-18kts but we won’t dwell on that tonight”, says Simon.

Only two days ago TVS didn’t even have a rig and so Simon finishes with “A huge thank you to Kevin Peet and my crew who got the boat and rig ready for today’s race – without their efforts we wouldn’t be sitting here.”

I bid Simon and the TVS crew farewell and head back to my laptop in the bar – back where I belong.

Rob Webb
021 36 33 36

The crew onboard Borderline are enjoying their chocolate chip muffins and cinnamon rolls as they can sense the finish line not so far away.

After making a short stoppage to see if the capsized trimaran Lucifer were OK, they lost a few places but back on track to Russell.

Bex laughs as she compares the race to having a full chemical peel. After all that salt intake on your skin during the race, really who needs a beauty salon?! Sounds like they've all been thoroughly drenched, but still laughing. Not long to go now!!

All tied up to the dock and winding down with a well deserved beer, the crew on board Vodafone are thrilled with their record breaking sprint to Russell.

Skipper/Owner Simon Hull still thinks there is room to improve on their performance,as they "could probably still shave another ten minutes off the time after the unneccessary hold up at Cape Brett", but overall pretty happy with how it went. Top speed reached was 34.8knots.

The team will spend a few hours enjoying some R&R, and a few drinks in the sunshine before untying and heading home to reach Auckland in time for "a cup of tea and a lie down"!

So we shall see the giant red trimaran moored in the Viaduct tomorrow morning. Well done team, have a safe journey home.

Just had word that Lucifer, the 8m trimaran has flipped coming up to Cape Brett. Devastating thing to happen so close to Russell, but all crew are fine.

Exodus has also been reported to have suffered some damage with a broken mast - they are currently being towed by a customs vessel to deep water cove.

Sounds windy out there, be careful kids!

A few boats appear to have pulled out of the race - Andar and Akarana Express, for reasons unknown as of yet.

Official time for TVS crossing the finish line in Russell at 1544hours, completing the race in 5 hours, 44 minutes, and 31 seconds.

This astonishing time beats the previous record set by Alfa Romeo by an hour. No doubt the crew on board will be absolutely buzzing.

Well done guys - enjoy the sun in Russell!!

Triple 8 clocked in at 1557 rounding Cape Brett, looks like they won't be too far behind fellow multiull sailors on Vodafone!

As Vodafone get their lines ready to tie up in russell - there are still plenty of boats scattered up the coast.

35 boats have now passed sail rock, the latest being Sure Thing, at 1537hrs.

Word from Akatea, currently sailing with a jib and staysail sitting on 13 knots as they head past Tutukaka. They've had a few dolphins come to play, and enjoying the fresh breeze on this glamour day.

TeamVodafoneSailing have crossed the finish line in Russell in under six hours!

Time and race record to be confirmed soon.

TeamVodafone are a mile from Tapeka and tracking at 17 knots.

As soon as the fat lady has sung, this will mean a sub six hour record and it will also mean a historic day for New Zealand sailing.

Standing on a very windy Ocean Beach in Whangarei heads is Chris, who not so long ago updated us on the boats as they sailed by; 10th boat to go past was Titinui, 11th was a white hull with carbon sails, 12th was a white hull, long windows and white sails, and the 13th boat was V5.

Whangarei is well past the half way mark for the race - so it seems there will be a good chunk of the fleet enjoying a fast and furious ride!

We've had word that Charleston, the 28ft multihull was forced to retire from the race due to a cracked centreboard case, causing them to take on water.

They will attempt to sail back to Auckland. What a shame - they were doing so well!

Report just in from Bex on the Borderline, a fiery orange 8.5 Cat as they zoom past Whangarei heads.

"I've had drier bath times, soo wet but still smiling!"

After having a few issues past sail rock, the crew on borderline Bex, Andy, and Chris are in good spirits as they make the mad dash for Russell.

Keep smiling guys!!

They are moving again. Windspeed 16 knots too.

The local water taxi operator didn't believe me when I tell them TVS is at Brett already - I can hear him thinking 'silly woman doesn't know what she is talking about'. Well, you'd better believe me!

It was heard back at 11am that most of the 50 footers were all in a nice processional line, leaving Kawau island in their wake.

Report from onboard Cookson 50 Akatea suggested that a peel to the code zero was in order as the wind swung further to the left. Formula One, a closeby competitor looked to have made the same change.

Is it beer o'clock yet? Possibly too early in the day..!

Wind speed 2.5 knots. Aaaargh!

They look to be about a mile outside Percey.

I'm not sure if I can take the pressure, and I am not even the one sailing.

TeamVodafone's tracker is showing around 8 knots of boatspeed at Brett. Let's hope this is a temporary blip.

http://play.vodafone.co.nz/teamvodafone-sailing/live-tracking

Charleston appears to have retired and Chris reports in from Ocean Beach at the Heads that following Taeping was another white hull with carbon tails, then Exodus and Timberwolf. In sixth is a red hull with white sails, and Triple 888 is out to sea.

Zoe

Bullrush have also put in their excuses, having to stop to trawl for scallops near Gulf Harbour, and send a swimmer out to retrieve the gennaker remains from the sail drive.

But it only cost them ten minutes. Good going! See you in Russell!

The hotted up Ross 930 Drop Dead Fred is blasting past Leigh. They say the wind is increasing and is now 15-20 on the beam. Rivals Pepe and No Worries are out to sea a little, and they have Valium and Outrageous Fortune for company, although those boats have dropped behind now.

It's getting pretty tight and the fleet is dropping kites and sailing under headsails.

A few minutes later, No Worries report in that DDF just crossed in front of them. "It's all on!"

Here is a picture I took from the air after chasing TVS hard - after spending time with the rest of the fleet we finally caught her again at 1110hrs off Cape Rodney looking awesome and doing, we reckon, over 30 kts. With full flaps we could reduce our light aircraft to around 45kts airspeed and at times it felt like we were just hovering over TVS who were setting the pace.

I now need to get going off up to Russell to stand any chance of being there for the finish.

Cheers

Rob Webb
021 36 33 36.

OK so I've just landed with a ton of shots to process and upload but here's the first showing TVS leading the fleet from the start as they round North Head.

It was a perfect day for both flying and sailing and it looks as though Bob MCDavitt's prediction of an extra 5kts on the previously forecast SW20kts was about right - indeed we saw several wipouts within minutes of the start as multis and monos alike struggled to control their gennakers.

More soon.

Rob Webb
021 36 33 36.

"At 12.30 we had 42nm to go to Brett. We could be there by 2pm." reports in Paddy from aboard TVS.

That could mean the five hour record is more than just talk.

I won't have any fingernails left by 3pm.

Zoe
021 273 5070

At midday TVS have let us know they are in the vicinity of Sail Rock - they plan to head offshore a little now.

At 1110 hrs, TVS were level with Takatu Pt north of Kawau, doing about 30 knots. Rob and Phil were flying hard to try to keep up with them in the little white aeroplane.

The order at Flat Rock was TVS, followed about 30 minutes later by Triple 888, Charleston, Taeping, Timberwolf, and Dirty Deeds (the order here may not be the actual order).

V5 called in at Flat Rock at 1149 as the first monohull to the waypoint, and Bare Essentials and Wired were second and third.

Pictured: Fast and Fun on Fineline

More shortly.

Photos are being processed now for the galleries.

When we left the fleet, they were looking pretty happy with themselves. About three quarters of boats were under gennaker or spinnaker, and making short work of leaving the city behind.

Of course there was the occassional round up, and a few spaghetti factories, especially for those closer to Rangi who were finding themselves pressed.

You'll be able to get a good idea of order as they report in for radio skeds at Flat Rock.

Domino 2 reports in that they are sitting in steady breeze after a great start, watching spinnakers blow out on surrounding boats. They are doing about 8 knots, and just passing Rangi.

Pictured: Strathspey, near Tiri

Seasickness can take out even the most intrepid yachting reporter.

More when we are in flatseas.

Starlight, Pretty Boy Floyd are in a class of their own for the next rung of keelers. Mojo are in there and OSinnerman

Alol have bennakers up or spinnakers and are enjoying a perfect sail.

Excuse my tuyping it's lumpy out here

A wave to Cotton Blosssom

And the dot on the horizon is TVS, who look to be at TIri Passage already

Equiliblrium 3rd, Karam Police 4th. Formula 1 200 hundred metres or so behind.

Titi Nui is in there, and Systems.

We just crossed voom's transom and titi nui is looking very stately, nice ride Joy!

Taeping is the next boat to pass Rangi Light with a healthy 500m lead over Triple 888. These guys took the leeward option at Norht Head and it seemed to work for them.

What other Orma?

Timberwolf is next in the lineup. Exodus just went past.

The start was run from the water for the first time most boats sailing upwind ot the committee boat in the middle, and hoisting gennakers and running down after the gun.

Sea Harmony took the line with impeccable timing, and F1 also looked good. Rob Shaw and Karma Police were right up the front too.

Akatea was in the front bunch to windward.

But all were outpaced two or even three to one, by TVS who gybed past Bean Rock.

More as we motor back through the fleet. I'm sorry I can't give you more about the other divisions.

Also watch Crew.org.nz's forums for coverage.

The Squadron 2 is the media boat, so a tiny bit obsessed with TeamVodafone. Therefore I'm going to write about the big boat before I go back to how the start went for others in the first bunch off the blocks.

We are powered by two Yamaha 150s and were throttle hard down all the way to Rangi Light, trying to keep up with TVS. It took 30 knots with the speedo reading 20+ knots all the way.

You don't appreciate how quick and mighty they are until you are right up there with them.

They didn't even have the big sails up.

Wow.

There is anything between 8 and 15 knots on the course, and we're getting close.

Devonport Wharf and North Head are packed with spectators. Let's put on a good show for them.

Pictured: Fineline's safety briefing

Domino II kicks off the race coverage from race boats. They're set and ready to go, 7POB and in good spirits. They wish the All Blacks well.

Photos have also comein from fantastic contributors. I'll upload them here once I'm back at my laptop.

Domino II kicks off the race coverage from race boats. They're set and ready to go, 7POB and in good spirits. They wish the All Blacks well.

Photos have also comein from fantastic contributors. I'll upload them here once I'm back at my laptop.

I'm pleased to report the morning is still perfect. Nothing has chaned.

Most of the fleet are milling around the start area and commuting in from WEsthaven and other marinas. The radio is hot with boats calling in.

The Squadron has put on a crack race committee, with race officer Colin Lucas and including Ross Marcwick and a top team.


TeamVodafone looks more than race ready.

We are sailing alongside Playbuoy and having trouble telling the difference between Roy Dickson and his twin brother Frank.

Zoe

Pictured: The Friday morning commute, on Fineline

 
Manuella from Opua writes in that there is an interesting crew/yacht mix on the start line today. The all OCC (Opua Cruising Club) and ex REVS-Ross40 (sold to Wellington 11 month ago) crew, are taking the mighty Bare Essential-Robertson60 for a ride up the coast today. Skippered by the Northland yachtsman of the year, Chris Hornell and his “ducklings” Paul Smith, Reece Hesketh, Karl Taylor, Tom Kiff, Esther Kruijver & Rebecca Gmuer-Hornell (11 years old)
 
Go Team OCC and we’ll keep you posted on their process during the day!
 

Zoe here, reporting in from aboard the rib Squadron 2 at Westhaven Marina.

The day could not be more perfect. Scarcely a cloud in the sky, a brisk breeze, flat seas, and a race starting shortly.

This morning I'm going to get as much info to you as quickly as possible. Photos will be added a little later - once we are back on dry land and broadband connections.

Please remember to report in to me from the racecourse - 021 273 5070, or email ccinfo@coastalclassic.co.nz

Casting off in a minute - You'll hear from me soon!

Stuck at home or work and not racing?

Sailonline.org is running a virtual version of the Coastal Classic - compete against real boats and formidable foes.

Log in at www.sailonline.org

Race #429 hereNOR / POLAR. WX Updates: 0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230. RANKING: Weekend/SYC Race Start: 20 Oct @2100utc
Race starts: Oct 20th 21:00

This year’s pre-race briefing at the Squadron finished a short time ago and unlike some I’ve attended in previous years there was a noticeably relaxed feeling in the air. I put this down to a combination of the venue (the Squadron feels a more natural home for a sailing briefing than the former Loaded Hog in the viaduct) and the weather forecast (more on this in a minute).

Of course the three main reasons for skippers and crew attending the briefing are (1) to register (2) to find out if anything has changed from previous years which could stuff them up and (3) to hear the latest weather from Bob McDavitt – which is the highlight, let’s be honest.

Some subtle changes were announced to tomorrow arrangements which were hopefully picked up by sharp-eared skippers/navigators/tacticians/strategists/crew – because I’m not repeating them here. But NZMYC Race Manager, Jon Vincent, summarised things well with, “If in doubt, cross the start line, sail up the coast for a few miles, turn left later in the day and finish between two flashing white buoys”.

Or, if you are TeamVodafoneSailing (TVS), finish between the two buoys next to the finish boat which will be easily visible in the bright afternoon sunshine.

But a key change from previous years relates to off the water arrangements with the prize-giving bought forward to Saturday evening prior to the usual ‘party in the marquee’. This is for several cunning reasons including avoiding the usual Sunday morning prize-giving hangover haze and allowing crews to make plans for watching some kind of rugby game which is apparently happening later on Sunday evening and seems to have a few people excited.

Weather. ‘Uncle’ Bob McDavitt was on his usual good form and no doubt enjoyed delivering the good news that it should be a very pleasant trip for everyone. In short it’s going to be SW throughout the race, starting reasonably fresh (20kts-ish) but lightening overnight. The only caveat was that a High moving across the Tasman might be extra friendly and let a couple of fronts through ahead of it, in which case add 5kts to the forecast. How will we know if the Gentlemanly High has paused to let the Lady Low go first? Well, if you barometer says less than 1019hPa at 10am tomorrow morning, then add 5 kts to his existing predictions.

Either way, it looks set to be a moderate race. If the multis get a flying start and can clear Cape Brett before any dreaded evening wind holes appear then records could be at risk, notably from TVS. But we’ll see.

Anyway, I’ll be back in the morning as the Coastal Classic ‘flying eye’ taking pictures of the start from the air, courtesy of Philip Hart (of Sundreamer fame). Assuming I don’t fall out of the plane I’ll post some aerial shots as soon as we’ve landed.

Cheers
Rob Webb
021 36 33 36

Despite the fact that the Snitch logo is showing up at the top of this page and linking to their website, there is unfortunately no GPS tracking for this year's race.

Sorry folks. (We wish there was too.)

Zoe

The official race forecast is in from Bob McDavitt, and currently being revealed to skippers and navigators at the Race Briefing at the RNZYS.

What does it mean for the fleet? Jon Vincent says a record is clearly possible but it could be tricky at the Brett making a tactical decision. Go through the gap and set up for a long board but take the hit on the inevitable lee or, go around comfortably but have a couple of extra positioning boards to put in before benefiting from the SW – will be very interesting to watch.

Right now PredictWind.com says that favourite TeamVodafoneSailing could potentially finish in less than five and a half hours. That is pretty remarkable but of course a lot needs to happen between then and now and talking it up so often sees things not working out as we'd hope.

The ETA in Russell for a generic Open 8.5 multihull is still under 7 hours. For a TP52 like V5 it's around 9.5 hours and for a Young 88, which is more the style most of us sail in, it's about 14 hours.

The race is 119 nautical miles long, so if you're wondering about average speeds, well, you do the math.

So, let's see...

Here is the forecast:

What is happening on the weather map?
HIGH 1028 in central Tasman Sea is expected to extend along 35S this weekend bringing a dying southwest flow, then light winds and daytime sea breezes by Sunday. As High moves off east on Mon a northwest flow is expected for those
returning to Auckland, and a front and southwest wind change on Tuesday.


**The Race start, 0950-1010hr Friday
Wind from southwest average 20 knots but 25 knots plus offshore and in exposed places. Cloudy.
Sea moderate, rough offshore

**Friday Afternoon and evening
Wind from southwest, 20 knots plus offshore, less inshore. Sea moderate. Cloudy at times.

**Around midnight to dawn on Saturday
Wind easing below 10 knots about coast, may still be 15 knots plus offshore and near headlands.
Sea slight to moderate. Patchy clouds, lowering around dawn.

**Saturday during the day
Calm areas around dawn, otherwise wind from southwest 10 to 15 knots. Sea slight to moderate. Cloudy, some drizzle
Swell: From the northeast, around half to one metre.

For the return home:
SUNDAY: Light winds, afternoon southwest 15 knots. Mild and sunny
MONDAY: Northwest rising to 20 knots. Sea becoming moderate. .Mild. Cloud increasing.


Cheers,

Zoe
PS Email me your updates to ccinfo@coastalclassic.co.nz or text 021 273 5070

A quick reminder of where THE game will be screened at 9pm on Sunday night - for those enroute home.

•Russell township – various locations
•The Waterline Café at Marsden Cove will be screening the game, and the Marina have advised there will be no problem booking berths
•Whagarei Deep Sea Anglers Club, Tutakaka Marina – will also screen the game, and suggest Marina berths are pre-booked because space is limited (tel. 09 434 3818 or email marina@tutukaka.co.nz
•Kawau Yacht Club - will be screening the game

It's hard to believe it is 12 months since the last Coastal Classic, when TeamVodafoneSailing came so close - but so far - from thrashing the six hour barrier.

For 2011 we will have not one, not two, but three intrepid reporters helping to keep the website updated.

Zoe and Hannah will be keeping in touch with the fleet by email, txt and phone, and Rob Webb will be watching from the skies, where he will be taking photos and reporting from former NZMYC Commodore Phil Hart's aeroplane.

Plus, we'll have Matt and Hamish on the water taking action photos for our galleries.

No matter what time of day, if you are racing or watching, and can contribute information, we'd really love to hear from you.

Here’s how:
- The best way is to email ccinfo@coastalclassic.co.nz with updates and pictures from your smartphone
- If you can’t email from onboard, txt or call Zoe on 021 273 5070. (Except from 2.30pm Fri until midnight Fri when you should contact Hannah on 021 284 2662)
- How often? Every couple of hours or when something happens. The website is updated throughout the race.

Please give as much info as possible, including:
- Boat name(s)
- Vital stats such as location, wind direction and strength, sea state, boat speed
- Where you are, how you got there, what boats you can see around you
- Make it colourful… what you’re having for dinner, anecdotes and funny stories are all interesting to those of us ashore!
- Links to Youtube and photos are great!