Please select your home edition
Edition
C-Tech 2021 America's Cup 728x90 TOP

Coastal Classic- Records tumble in flight north

by Zoe Hawkins on 20 Oct 2012
2012 Coastal Classic - Crusader had a wet ride out of the Rangitoto Channel Richard Gladwell www.photosport.co.nz

Several new records, including one standing for 16 years, were broken or set in the Coastal Classic Auckland to Russell Yacht Race, organised by the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club this weekend. There is little doubt that the boats which sailed conservatively maximised their chance of finishing, and securing glory in Russell.

TeamVodafoneSailing was the first boat home, and secured its third consecutive race record, despite the fact that slowing the boat down and steering a safe course was a big focus of the race.

The 60 foot trimaran skippered by Simon Hull completed the race in five hours 41 minutes and 44 seconds, taking nearly three minutes off the record it set last year, and also setting a new record for multihulls at the same time.

Crusader 35 (LOA 10.65m) which finished in 10 hours and 2 minutes, has taken the under 10.66m record of 11 minutes and 53 seconds, held by Mumm 30 since 1996. It also exceeded the time for boats under 12.19m of 10 hours and 33 minutes, held by Satellite Spy since 1996.

Borderline achieved the first official records for the Open 8.5s, with a finishing time of 8 hours and 59 minutes, setting the bar high for a time to beat in future years.

The race started at Devonport Wharf in Auckland amidst a 30 knot wind squall and very poor visibility. Taking a conservative line at the wharf end, holding off the gybe for as long as possible, and resisting the urge to carry big gear, ensured the best results as the fleet rounded North Head, with an incoming cargo ship on a tight schedule causing problems for some.

Those that hoisted their big sails, as often as not found themselves in trouble with little room to manoeuvre: The catamaran Taeping was required to take drastic action when Rantan II broached.

For the fast multihulls it was a case of hold on tight, if you weren't doing a headsail change or tucking in a reef. TeamVodafoneSailing enacted at least a dozen headsail changes during its race, and Taeping's story is one of constant changes to boat configuration.

'We found the going very tough today,' says Tim Willetts, owner of the bright green trimaran Timberwolf that has been turboed and refined more each year, and which blew out two kites during the race. The maximum wind gust they experienced was 37 knots, but it was the sea state that really effected them.

'At times, the seas were just evil. We found it dangerous over 18knots in the nasty stuff.' Their peak speed was just over 25 knots.

'To be honest this was a day about seamanship and finishing and we found it hard to push the boat to its full limit.'

Seeing Dirty Deeds flip over near Kawau in a massive gust gave them cause to concern.

'It did not help at all seeing the Deeds over, my best wishes to Bobbi and Greer, it's never good but great to hear it is back up again.We only survived that gust by seconds as we got our Code Zero [a big foresail] down just in time as another 35 knot gust hit us.'

'This race was about boat management,' says Event Director Jon Vincent. 'Those that took a conservative approach benefited on the day. Those that went out there believing they could adjust to the conditions with too much sail area have suffered the consequences.'

Of 167 starters, 11 boats withdrew. The smallest boat, an Elliott 7m called Elevation, from Rotorua, finished at 0302hrs Saturday.




[Sorry, this content could not be displayed]
[Sorry, this content could not be displayed]








The first 20 finishers were:

Div Yacht Name Elapsed Pos

6 TeamVodafoneSailing 5:41:44 1
6 Triple 8 6:56:47 2
6 Taeping 7:35:03 3
1 V5 8:37:55 4
7 Timberwolf 8:44:46 5
1 Wired 8:55:15 6
1 Kia Kaha 52 8:57:19 7
7 Borderline 8:59:59 8
1 Georgia 9:01:25 9
1 Ran Tan Ii 9:12:09 10
1 Bare Essentials 9:17:21 11
7 Whio 9:43:22 12
7 Fusionx 9:54:16 13
1 Crusader 35 10:02:51 14
1 Buckley Systems 10:07:11 15
6 Titi Nui 10:18:16 16
6 Pzazz 10:21:31 17
1 Equilibrium 10:22:13 18
1 Andar 10:26:03 19
1 Systems Thunder 10:48:32 20

RS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERBOISW Enter 1456x180px BOTTOM2024 fill-in (bottom)

Related Articles

Dylan Fletcher drives Emirates GBR to third place
On Race Day 1 in Dubai Dylan Fletcher has driven the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team to third place on Race Day 1 in Dubai. It was Fletcher's first time racing in the Driver role for Ben Ainslie's British team, with the crew securing a result of 5-8-2.
Posted on 23 Nov
Vendée Globe Race Day 15
Exceptional Brazilian low should allow leaders direct route to Good Hope The top solo racers on the Vendée Globe should reach an important transition tomorrow, Sunday, when they catch a low pressure system which will carry them at speed directly towards the tip of South Africa and the Southern Ocean beyond.
Posted on 23 Nov
New signing helps Australia Team dominate in Dubai
In game of Snakes & Ladders The Australia SailGP Team launched their 2025 Rolex SailGP Championship campaign in dominant style, silencing any questions about the strength of their restructured squad.
Posted on 23 Nov
Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix day 1
Familiar rivals Australia and New Zealand top the leaderboard SailGP's largest-ever fleet (11 national teams) descended upon Dubai's Port Mina Rashid for the official start of the 2025 Season of the Rolex SailGP Championship.
Posted on 23 Nov
Vendée Globe Saturday Morning Update
Routing options, making the turn East The leaders, spearheaded by Charlie Dalin, are making the turn East in the Vendée Globe as they look to navigate the upcoming low pressure system in the South Atlantic.
Posted on 23 Nov
SailGP: Day 1 - Kiwis top Dubai leaderboard
The Black Foils top the overnight leaderboard by a three point margin without having won a race The America's Cup champions, fresh from defending their title, a month ago, sailed consistently and the Black Foils topped the overnight leaderboard by a three point margin without having won a race.
Posted on 23 Nov
2024 44Cup Nanny Cay Day 2
Nika recovers her mojo as Artemis Racing edges into the lead in the BVI Conditions on the British Virgin Islands' St Francis Drake Channel further improved today; still shifty, thanks to the islands to weather and the tropical clouds overhead, but with more wind - ranging from 9-13 knots.
Posted on 23 Nov
Etchells Worlds entries closing on 30 November
Just one more week to enter the Melbourne event The 2025 Etchells Worlds entries close in just over a week and the competition is continuing to ramp up at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club (RBYC).
Posted on 22 Nov
Vendée Globe Friday Evening Update
Plus SailGP Season 5 starts tomorrow! Charlie Dalin has extended his lead in the Vendée Globe, but he could shortly encounter lighter winds than the following pack, before they are hit by the developing low pressure system in the South Atlantic.
Posted on 22 Nov
Vendée Globe Race - Day 14 - Mind the Gap
Almost half the fleet are now across the Equator and into the Southern Hemisphere Of the 39 boats still racing in the Vendée Globe most are now out of the Doldrums and almost half are now across the Equator in the Southern Hemisphere. Thomas Ruyant (VULNERABLE) led the fleet across last night at 1910hrs yesterday evening.
Posted on 22 Nov