Auckland Tauranga Race starts in very light winds - follow on tracker

by Richard Gladwell on 28 Mar 2013
The Auckland to Tauranga race started off the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, on Thursday morning, in very light winds.

The outgoing tide was a major challenge for the competitors forcing then to congregate to the west of Auckland Harbour Bridge, before using the tide to cross the line.

After 30 minutes of 'sailing' the fleet had reached the old tank farm at the eastern side of Westhaven Marina.

However a building easterly breeze allowed the fleet to make better progress later in the morning, and as of Friday morning all had passed through the Colville Channel and were headed for Tauranga. At the latest report Kia Kaha was first to finish at 0742hrs Friday morning.

The fleet can be tracked using a new Tracker facility from www.predictwind.com!Predictwind which can be accessed from a PC or Mac by http://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/race/typbc!clicking_here

Most of the boats are displayed except for the some of the race leaders, including Kia Kaha

According to Predictwind's real time wind observations facility, there is a 12kts easterly breeze, gusting 15kts blowing at Channel Island, at the entrance to the Colville Channel, through which the fleet must pass before turning for Tauranga.

The Predictwind tracker is an App that can be run off iPhone, or Android phone - covering 82% of smart phone market.

See instructions on the Predictwind.com site at http://www.predictwind.com/tracker/

Or go to your Apps store and download PredictWind Tracker, a bit of familiarisation with how the tracker works (best gained off your Mac or PC), and you are away.

No race records are expected to be broken, due to the slow start and wind direction. The top 50fter V5 was entered but did not start. The ORMA60 TeamVodafoneSailing also did not start after losing her wingmast on the first day of the Auckland Regatta.

The latest published fleet schedule can be read by http://www.yacht.org.nz/news/id/257!clicking_here