Please select your home edition
Edition
Selden 2020 - LEADERBOARD

Auckland Fiji Race- Triple reef as headwinds slow leaders' progress

by Zoe Hawkins and Richard Gladwell on 4 Jun 2013
Squealer - Start Auckland Suva Race June 1, 2013 Richard Gladwell www.photosport.co.nz

Strong headwinds and building seas have slowed progress for the race leaders on Day 4 of the Auckland Fiji Race.

The leaders are now well past the halfway mark, and the first of the cruisers, Vision is expected to arrive in Fiji tomorrow.

It was a question of safety first for the 55' Equilibrium yesterday when they decided to withdraw from the race to Fiji, after the boat's alternator failed.

As with many modern and highly technical boats, power is critical to running some of its systems.

Equilibrium is now about 150nm from the safe haven of Opua, and once the boat is repaired, will decide whether to continue its northwards sail.

Meanwhile, life aboard TeamVodafone is busy, as they nurture the trimaran through difficult seas..

'We have been on the wind since 1800hrs yesterday,' wrote Patrick O'Reilly earlier today. 'It's blowing 25-30 knots NW at the moment. The sea state is building and it has really slowed us down. We have three reefs and the little jib up.'

One crewman has a back injury and is confined to his bunk, and repairs have also been made to a broken window.

According to PredictWind's weather router, TeamVodafone could make it to the finish line in as little as 31.5 hours, but they need to decide whether to sail directly north, or to take a wide course to the North West. The breeze should moderate this evening, and on arrival in Fiji will be less than ten knots, from the SouthWest.

The crew are tired but in good spirits, and looking forward to calmer seas and hot drinks.

V5 is now the first keelboat on line, about 175nm behind TeamVodafone, and 541nm from the finish, headed North East. PredictWind says V5 has 54 hours left to finish and will probably have to tolerate stronger Northerlies until tomorrow when it swings West and eventually to the South, closer to Fiji.

Squealer, Wildcard and Outrageous Fortune have continued to sail as a trio, all heading North East now, but with the bigger boats showing what waterline does in these conditions.

For the latest positions see www.rnyzs.org.nz
Sydney International On-Water Boat Show 2025Maritimo M50Navico AUS Zeus3S FOOTER

Related Articles

Aussies take it on in Geneva
Flying Roos back on top of SailGP season leaderboard after tough racing in Geneva The BONDS Flying Roos have reclaimed their lead in the 2025 Season standings after securing a hard-fought podium finish in “street fight” conditions at the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva.
Posted today at 12:14 am
And so, it begins…
Grand Final not run yet, but our Hobart coverage begins with something very cool Maybe a tad earlier than last year, which I think was after the Grand Final, but the 100th entrant seemed like a good place to set things off. Now with that said, Sail-World's Hobart coverage begins.
Posted on 21 Sep
ILCA Announcement
Protecting the one-design integrity of the class ILCA's mission is to protect the integrity of strict one-design sailing—the principle that ensures every sailor competes on equal terms. This principle, enshrined in the ILCA Fundamental Rule, has been the foundation of our class's success.
Posted on 21 Sep
The Ocean Race Europe 2025: The summer of racing
Biotherm delivered a masterclass - Paprec Arkéa a lesson in consistency This Saturday, after a fiercely contested final race, the second edition of The Ocean Race Europe came to a close. It was a seven-week adventure from Germany to Montenegro, full of twists and turns, resilience, and raw emotion.
Posted on 21 Sep
Tornado Open, Mixed and Youth Europeans overall
Czech team dominated the event No more races were possible on the final day of the championship due to lack of wind, leaving the overall tally at five races sailed.
Posted on 21 Sep
Germany Deutsche Bank claim first SailGP event win
Race Day 2 of the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix The Germany SailGP Team presented by Deutsche Bank has entered the winners circle, claiming their first event victory at the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in tricky, light conditions on the waters of Lake Geneva.
Posted on 21 Sep
SailGP: Germany score first Event win - Day 2
The German crew led by Erik Heil sailed consistently, on a day where inconsistency was punished. Perhaps it was not surprising that in a nation known for its horology, that the time-clock should have played such a dominant role for the Final day of SailGP Switzerland.
Posted on 21 Sep
2025 Dutch Water Week day 4
At the end of the city's main shopping street, spectators could watch the racing The penultimate day of the Dutch Water Week brought Olympic-class sailing and windsurfing right into the heart of Almere.
Posted on 21 Sep
America's Cup: Controversial agreement signed
According to Italian media, the secret AC Partnership agreement has been signed by CoR/D* International sailing journalist, Fabio Pozo, writing for the Milan based newspaper La Stampa, reports that the secret America's Cup Partnership (ACP) agreement is expected to be signed next week.
Posted on 21 Sep
Women's Match Racing Worlds in Chicago overall
History made: Match in Pink Team wins fifth consecutive title Pauline Courtois and her Match in Pink by Normandy Elite Team from Le Havre in France have once again proven their dominance in the sport of match racing, capturing their fifth consecutive World Sailing Women's Match Racing World Championship title
Posted on 21 Sep