PIC Coastal Classic - Monday forecast shows race record is possible

by Zoe Hawkins on 17 Oct 2016 According to wind forecasting website PredictWind.com, there is the potential for a record setting race in this Friday's PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic.

With wind speed likely to be in the mid teens, and blowing from the South West, there is enough breeze, coming from the right direction, for the fastest boats, including the trimaran Frank Racing (formerly TeamVodafone) to arrive in Russell during the mid afternoon, and to possibly even crack the race record of 5 hours, 13 minutes and 21 seconds.

That's if all goes according to plan with a good clean race and breeze that holds as forecast - it's also possible that the wind will not build significantly during the day, making the race a challenging game of guess work for boat owners.

According to PredictWind.com's weather router, smaller multihulls, including the 8.5m class, can also look forward to arriving in Russell before dinner time, while the top keelboats can expect a dusk finish, arriving in Russell on Friday evening. The bulk of the fleet, based on the performance of a Young 88, will be out well past midnight, but can expect to sail in a reasonably consistent breeze throughout.

'This is classic Coastal Classic stuff,' says event director Matthew Flynn, who is also an entrant in the solo division. 'There is something magic about sailing overnight into the Bay.'

PredictWind utilises four weather models, which each predict a slightly different forecast. As the day gets closer, forecast will become more specific.

The race so far has 138 entries which include one all female crew, seven solo entrants, and five boats with just two crew.

Considered one of the world’s most famous yacht races, the Coastal traditionally attracts the very best of New Zealand yachting to race alongside a colourful fleet of boats of all shapes, sizes and abilities.

The event is organised by the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club and is traditionally a battle between single hulled boats 'monohulls' and double or triple hulled yachts 'multihulls' . Who comes out on top generally depends on the weather conditions.

There are 16 divisions in total and with a great range of boats on the startline, results are calculated both by finishing order, and by handicap.

For your forecast from click here

Info:

When: The race starts off Devonport Wharf in Auckland at 930am on Friday 21 October.
Where: Devonport Wharf and North Head are great viewing spots in Auckland, but you can catch glimpses of race boats from any location that has views of the water between Auckland and Russell
Distance: 119 nautical miles
The sponsor: PIC Insurance Brokers
The website: www.coastalclassic.co.nz and tag #coastalclassic on Facebook