PIC Coastal Classic - Hot pace, but not fast enough for record

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com on 21 Oct 2016 The PIC Coastal Classic got underway with Emirates Team NZ showing the way as an unofficial starter in their AC45S.

In the main event, Simon Hull's ORMA60, Frank Racing, formerly TeamVodafoneSailing was leading, but she will not break the race record of around five hours and 13 minutes. Before the start skipper Simon Hull said that the would really like to crack five hours for the 120nm course. But at 3.00pm the red hulled trimaran, still had not rounded Cape Brett - even though conditions were great for racing the classic.

Behind her the 50ft fleet of 11 boats were off Whangarei and enjoying a tactical race - with plenty of lateral separation making for some interesting options as the fleet close in on Cape Brett at the entrance to the Bay of Islands, and navigators have to make a choice between hugging the coast and risk a softer breeze, or heading further offshore and maybe keeping hold of the 15kt SSW breeze.

Further updates and images will be posted later this evening. The first of the 50fters, according to pre-race routing from Predictwind were expected to finish around 10.30pm Friday.

You can folllow the fleet with the Predictwind Race Tracker by clicking here