PIC Coastal Classic - Sailors taking up challenge of solo sailing

by Zoe Hawkins on 12 Oct 2016 For the first time PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic has introduced a division for single handed sailors, in the 2016 edition of the 120nm charge up the north eastern coast of New Zealand.

While most race yachts will carry anything from two to twenty crew to keep the ship sailing in the annual Auckland to Russell yacht race, seven hardy entrants have opted to go it alone.

Taking on the race for a variety of reasons, they have one thing in common that they are seasoned sailors with well equipped boats.

'The Coastal is not a very long race in comparison with international events, but it is challenging in that we are in close proximity to land, with many boats around us for the duration,' says event director Matt Flynn, who is also an entrant aboard his Class 40, Krakatoa.

'For many of us, we'll be racing overnight, and even when we are tired and hungry, we need to stay vigilant and keep watch. That is the challenge.'

The single handed entrants are:

Golden Pond - Kevin Stone - Pine Harbour Cruising Club
Island Time - Matt Paulin - Weiti Boating Club
JJ - Mike Phear - Mercury Bay Boating Club
Ocean Express - Bernie Marshall - Short Handed Sailing Assn of NZ
Wild Oats - Tony McAlwee - Richmond Yacht Club
Zen - Steve Newcombe - Pine Harbour Cruising Club
Krakatoa - Matthew Flynn - New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club

The race is expected to have around 140 entrants on the startline. The weather forecast is for light to moderate winds, although potentially damp, and the boats are equipped to Yachting New Zealand's 'Category 3' safety standard at minimum.

In addition the fleet is monitored by Coastguard, whose operations room gears up to record radio call-ins at several waypoints through the race. Boats also carry trackers.

There are also four entrants in the Double Handed division, where two crew sail each yacht - also a challenging feat.

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.

The line honours favourite is considered to be Frank Racing - which is the Orma 60 trimaran formerly called TeamVodafone on the startline to defend and ideally beat the race record it set in 2014 of 5 hours, 13 minutes and 21 seconds but the Open 60 Awen, skippered by Bryce Morrin, may well have an edge in the conditions predicted by long range forecast so far.

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.

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