Please select your home edition
Edition
Rooster 2025

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

Sydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to ExhibitRolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTERJeanneau Sun Odyssey 350

Related Articles

Rolex Fastnet Race: IRC Two Preview
With 73 entries in IRC Two, the Rolex Fastnet Race is set to deliver a striking display. Could two new JPK 1050s upset the apple cart in IRC Two? Jean-Pierre Kelbert has a habit of breaking the mould in IRC racing, and his new 34-footer may well be a game changer in this competitive division with 73 entries.
Posted today at 10:36 am
The Long Laser Lunch – a reunion to remember
Sailors from every state reunited over lunch like it was just another regatta weekend. Last month 93 Laser sailors from across the country gathered at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club for what became a truly unforgettable reunion.
Posted today at 10:19 am
Offshore at 16
Will Farnell, the ORCV's Youth Sailor of the Year 2025 The ORCV is proud to announce Will Farnell as the recipient of the 2025 Youth Sailor of the Year award—a young sailor whose love for the sea runs generations deep and whose commitment to the sport has already made waves far beyond his years.
Posted today at 8:52 am
Seldén Rodkicker 50 - manual rigid vang
Specifically sized for yachts between 50 and 55 feet A Rodkicker rigid vang is designed to enhance sail handling during reefing and allows for greater sail trim control.
Posted today at 8:00 am
WASZP Games 2025: Talent & fun descend on Weymouth
Poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history The 2025 International WASZP Games, set to take place from July 19–25 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, are poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history.
Posted today at 7:23 am
Queensland Yachting Survey 2025 Feedback
The results are in, gathering valuable insights directly from the sailing community Following this year's Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race, a group of passionate and experienced individuals from the sailing community gathered to discuss the current state of yachting in Queensland.
Posted today at 5:18 am
Transpac 2025 Update: Moon River Tonight!
The magic of offshore racing in the 2025 Transpac A vast ocean separates Los Angeles, California, from Honolulu, Hawaii, but the boats racing in this year's Transpac have now crossed the halfway mark. Race leaders are in the tradewinds and making their approach to the Aloha State.
Posted today at 12:26 am
All smiles among first finishers of the AEGEAN 600
The fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion As the fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion and made their way to the harbour at Olympic Marine, there were exhausted smiles all around.
Posted on 10 Jul
British Classic Week day 4
It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for the OneSails inshore race It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for day 4 of British Classic Week with hot temperatures, sunshine and no breeze in the morning before the sea breeze kicked in from the west and it was time to go racing.
Posted on 10 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 5
Finalists locked in for new Medal Series format With the sea breeze stubbornly refusing to make an appearance, Day 5 of the iQFOiL World Championship turned into a long waiting game both ashore and on the water.
Posted on 10 Jul