Aircalin Auckland to Noumea race record under serious threat

by Rob Kothe on 26 May 2002 Aircalin Auckland to Noumea race record under serious threat

Strong southwesterly winds are pushing the 2002 Aircalin Auckland to Noumea fleet towards new race records in the 984 nautical miles ocean classic.

The New Caledonian catamaran Rogntudjuuu reported at 12 noon today, she was 90 miles north of North Cape (the northern tip of New Zealand's North Island). She had at that time sailed around 275 miles in 22 hours. If she maintains this pace for the duration of the race she would finish in 78 hours, destroying the existing race record by more than 35 hours.

At this evening's Royal Akarana Yachting club radio sked, the monohull leader Maverick II was 130 miles north of North Cape.

Brian Petersen's water ballasted Maverick II, who raced so successfully last year in Australia as Coyote, has broken clear and Ron Brittain's red flier Hydroflow is now 8 miles behind. Systems Thunder, the former holder of the round Australia record was 12 miles back, with Starlight Express who prefers upwind conditions, the same distance further back again.

The fleet is beam reaching towards Noumea in rough seas with 25-30 knots south westerlies sweeping across their decks.

The 70-foot luxury cruiser Mertsi Louise reported at the radio sked she was 80 miles north of the North Island. Enjoying the strong conditions, she is leading the prestigious ORC handicap division from Hydroflow with Fruition currently third.

In PHRF Division Systems Thunder is leading on handicap from Hydroflow and Cosmic Cruz. Mustang Sally is leading the Cruising Division from Flojo and Bodacious. Maverick II is also leading her own Short handed division, on handicap from Mike Thurston's Drina with Sabian third.

During the race, Sail-World.com will be providing up-to-date news, mid-race radio sked positions of the boats on a chart, progressive handicap positions, distances to the finish line as well as computed estimated times of arrival for each competing boat.

http://www.sail-world.com/aucklandtonoumea/index.cfm?SRSID=41

Additional race information will be available on www.rayc.org.nz

The next radio sked reports will be posted around 07:30 NZ time Monday morning.