HSBC Coastal Classic - 24 days to go
by Event Media on 26 Sep 2006
Gear damage and other mishaps got the 2005 HSBC Coastal Classic close to the top of prime-time TV news. Fortunately all safety procedures worked well. Richard Gladwell
www.photosport.co.nz
24 DAYS TO GO!
Please forward this email bulletin on to your race crew
ONES TO WATCH
‘Wired’, a brand new 52 foot canting keel yacht owned by Rob Bassett and Brett Russell, and designed by Brett Bakewell-White, will be one of the freshest entrants on the water in this year’s race. This new addition to the exciting but unofficial ‘class’ of new generation 50 footers out racing is described as an exciting mix of carbon fibre, grinder pedestals, canting keel technology, and a designer interior including LCD TV and entertainment system.
The boat will be competing against the new Cookson 50s, Pussy Galore, recently returned from an offshore campaign, and Wingz. Wingz convincingly won both the SIMRAD Barrier Triple Two Handed Series this winter, and achieved line honours at Bay of Islands Sailing Week.
It is fitting that Cookson Boats should sponsor the IRC Division of this great race: the company is renowned for producing boats that compete very successfully offshore, and the IRC Rating System is an international benchmark. Cookson Boats are renowned internationally as builders of grand prix race boats, including winning entries in the America’s Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, and more. New generation Cookson boats represented in this year’s race fleet include the canting keeled Cookson 50’s ‘Wingz’ and ‘Pussy Galore’, as well as Cookson 12m’s ‘Powerplay’, ‘Akatea’ and ‘Moody Blue’. www.cooksonboats.co.nz
COASTGUARD
Coastguard Northern Region is looking forward to their continued association with the 2006 Coastal Classic. Along with Auckland Coastguards Lion Foundation Rescue, they will be providing the Radio Schedules and a dedicated Rescue vessel, for the race.
For further Information on our commitment to Saving lives at Sea, and how to assist our voluntary organisation please visit www.coastguard.org.nz.
Remember, a Coastguard membership is only $89, giving you an unlimited number of assists, discounts on a number of products and services, and a complimentary Dayskipper course for either yourself, or a member of your family.
AUCKLAND TO RUSSELL RACE CLINIC
Tactics can be everything on the 119nm race course between Auckland and Russell. Learn from the experts at Crew.org.nz’s latest Race Clinic, designed specifically for the HSBC Coastal Classic. Our guest speakers will include Volvo Ocean Race winner Ross Field, professional navigator Nick White, NZ yachting veteran John Lidgard, Formula One’s Harry Dodson, and Cameron Thorpe. Full details are at www.crew.org.nz (click on Race Clinics), or call 09 376 5100.
A LOOK AT COASTALS PAST
1989 – ATROCIOUS CONDITIONS PRESENT FIRST EVER MONOHULL BENEFIT
Only 65 of 155 starters finished the 1989 race, and it was the first year that a monohull took line honours. Gale force north to north easterlies ‘pasted’ the fleet, with many boats, on experiencing 70-knot headwinds and enormous seas off Brett, turning around and heading home. Emotional Rescue crossed the line first after 19 hours and 7 minutes of windward slog.
CHANGES TO WATER TAXI OPERATIONS
There is good news and bad news about the Water Taxis in Russell: the bad news is that a $10 per user charge for water taxis is being introduced to offset the cost of running the water taxi service. The good news is that $10 buys you a wrist band which can be used as many times as you need it during the HSBC Coastal Classic, to get you from your boat to the Russell Wharf and back again. The New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club is regretful that increased safety regulations which require the taxis to be in survey and manned by qualified skippers, as well as rising fuel charges, necessitate this fee. However, your $10 enables us to provide a valuable 24-hour service to get you to-and-from your yacht safely.
The wristbands will be available for sale at the Skipper's Briefing in Auckland. To save hassle when you get to Russell, we recommend that you purchase wrist bands for yourself and your crew at the Briefing.
THE GREAT RACE NORTH
THE DATE
Friday 20 October 2006
THE COURSE
119nm from Devonport Wharf to Russell Wharf
THE AUTHORITY
The NZ Multihull Yacht Club
THE SPONSOR
HSBC, the world's local bank
THE FLEET
Up to 300 of our greatest race yachts
MULTIHULL RECORD
7h20.51 set by Split Enz in 1996
MONOHULL RECORD
8h29.50 set by Konica Minolta in 2005
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY The HSBC Coastal Classic is one of the most direct ways to reach thousands of competitive sailors. If you are interested, please contact Pants Events using the details below.
ENTRIES AND CONTACTS Entry forms are available on the HSBC Coastal Classic website, and all yachts will be listed there as soon as entries are received.
You have received this email because you are a previous HSBC Coastal Classic entrant. If you wish to be removed from, or added to our mailing list, please simply REPLY to this email and let us know. Thanks!
For more info, please contact the organisers Pants Events by email ccinfo@coastalclassic.co.nz, phone 09 360 3190 or visit the HSBC Coastal Classic website.
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/27714
