Coastal Classic - Images from the start and Updates

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com on 20 Oct 2017 The 2017 Coastal Classic got underway this morning in a moderate south westerly breeze and overcast skies. Here's a gallery of images shot from North Head.

Sorry we were unable to provide our usual coverage of the race from on the water.

At 2.00pm the lead boats were off Whangaruru, sailing at 26kts and using the routing function of Predictwind were projected to have another 2hrs 30mins to sail to the finish which would place them comfortably outside the race record. They would need to finish by 1513hrs to set a new record.

Just before 3.00pm the leaders - Beau Geste (MOD70) and Frank Racing (ORMA60) had both passed Cape Brett but had not turned for the finish line off Russell but were travelling at just 6kts.

Both the two leading multihulls have finished with Simon Hull's ORMA60 Frank Racing, crossing the line off Russell at 4.04pm and Beau Geste crossing eight minutes later at 4.12pm - approximately an hour outside the race record held by Franck Racing - formerly Team Vodafonesailing.