Please select your home edition
Edition
C-Tech 2020 Battens 2 728x90 TOP

PIC Coastal Classic- TeamVodafoneSailing smashes course record

by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/nz on 24 Oct 2014
TeamVodafoneSailing at the start of her record breaking run - PIC Coastal Classic 2014 Richard Gladwell www.photosport.co.nz
As predicted in last night's preview in Sail-World, the ORMA 60 TeamVodafone Sailing has set a new course record for the 119nm course in the PIC Coastal Classic.

According to the finish time from the race tracker she has slashed 27minutes off her own course record of 5hrs 40 minutes. The unofficial mark is now 5hours 13 minutes.

Skippered by Simon Hull, the 60ft trimaran she tore up the course in ideal conditions to set a new mark that was very close to the time forecast by the routing function of Predictwind 5hrs and 21minutes - the exact time was only 8 minutes faster - a remarkably accurate prediction!

To back up that reference point, PredictWind, 12 before the race start, projected a time of 7hrs 19 minutes for the VOR70 to finish at Russell - that time proved to be just 10 minutes more than her actual finish time!

Sail-World spoke to skipper Simon Hull soon after the finish. He was uncertain of the exact time but believed the ORMA60 had chopped 20-25minutes off her old record.

'Once we had crossed the finish line, we knew we can go under five hours for the race', Hull remarked.

'We had a very good ride up the coast, hitting a peak speed of 36kts, and with long bursts above 30kts.'

'We managed to avoid the hole at Cape Brett. We managed to drop to only 9kts going through there. The Hole was smaller than usual, but we stayed a bit further offshore as we could see glassy bits closer inshore. The wind speed dropped to 12-13kts at that point'


Hull said he was very confident of being able to break the five hour mark. 'We had to beat into the Bay, and did three tacks - with the wind in the right angle we would go straight through.'

TeamVodafoneSailing has not done a lot of racing since breaking her mast. Hull paid tribute to the work done by the crew and Stu McKinven, in particular, in preparing the boat for the race and achieving the race record.

'We had winds of 22-23 knots, at an angle of 120 apparent, but it was puffing up inshore. We stayed offshore to get a steadier breeze.

'Ideally we would like to have a SE breeze to set a new record, which would give us a straight run up the coast and then gybe to run directly to the finish line.'

The Botin 80 Beau Geste (Karl Kwok) finished at 17.06hrs - just 23 minutes outside the monohull record set by a boat 20ft longer overall. The VOR70, Giacomo (Jim Delegat) finished 2mins 46sec behind Beau Geste and is tipped to take overall honours.

The SeaBlade Predictwind foiling kiteboard sailed by David Robertson finished ahead of the first monohull holding the 70 and 80fters off on the beat into the Bay of Islands, however Robertson started 30mins earlier. He is the first kiteboard to complete the 119nm Coastal Classic course. There have been four previous attempts.

For the latest results click here


Palm Beach Motor YachtsSea Sure 2025V-DRY-X

Related Articles

Rolex Fastnet Race: IRC Two Preview
With 73 entries in IRC Two, the Rolex Fastnet Race is set to deliver a striking display. Could two new JPK 1050s upset the apple cart in IRC Two? Jean-Pierre Kelbert has a habit of breaking the mould in IRC racing, and his new 34-footer may well be a game changer in this competitive division with 73 entries.
Posted today at 10:36 am
Dragon Edinburgh Cup in Torbay overall
Tight Racing and Tactical Brilliance The final day of the 2025 Edinburgh Cup brought sunshine, shifting breeze, and two exciting races that kept the championship wide open until the very last run.
Posted today at 8:13 am
Seldén Rodkicker 50 - manual rigid vang
Specifically sized for yachts between 50 and 55 feet A Rodkicker rigid vang is designed to enhance sail handling during reefing and allows for greater sail trim control.
Posted today at 8:00 am
WASZP Games 2025: Talent & fun descend on Weymouth
Poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history The 2025 International WASZP Games, set to take place from July 19–25 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, are poised to be the largest and most competitive in the class's history.
Posted today at 7:23 am
Transpac 2025 Update: Moon River Tonight!
The magic of offshore racing in the 2025 Transpac A vast ocean separates Los Angeles, California, from Honolulu, Hawaii, but the boats racing in this year's Transpac have now crossed the halfway mark. Race leaders are in the tradewinds and making their approach to the Aloha State.
Posted today at 12:26 am
20 Canadians set for Long Beach Grand Slam Event
The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta will be held July 12-20 20 Canadian sailors will take part in the fourth and next-to-last event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series, the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta, to be held July 12-20 at one of the two Olympic venues for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Posted on 10 Jul
All smiles among first finishers of the AEGEAN 600
The fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion As the fastest teams crossed the finish line today at Cape Sounion and made their way to the harbour at Olympic Marine, there were exhausted smiles all around.
Posted on 10 Jul
British Classic Week day 4
It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for the OneSails inshore race It was a classic Solent day in Cowes for day 4 of British Classic Week with hot temperatures, sunshine and no breeze in the morning before the sea breeze kicked in from the west and it was time to go racing.
Posted on 10 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 5
Finalists locked in for new Medal Series format With the sea breeze stubbornly refusing to make an appearance, Day 5 of the iQFOiL World Championship turned into a long waiting game both ashore and on the water.
Posted on 10 Jul
Jazz Turner Video Interview
How she Faced Everything And Rose during Project FEAR I travelled to Brighton Marina to catch up with Jazz, talking about her own sailing, the challenges she faced during the circumnavigation, how the money raised will be used, and a glimpse of her future projects!
Posted on 10 Jul