Super fast Coastal Classic sees historic race record set

TeamVodafoneSailing break the Coastal Classic race record © Rob Webb / Coastal Classic

Despite very optimistic forecasts yesterday it seemed almost too much to hope for that the sub-six hour record would finally be broken in the NZMYC Coastal Classic, but TeamVodafoneSailing did it when they crossed the finish line in five hours, 44 minutes and 31 seconds.

Nearly all boats have crossed the line into Russell, marking the end of the 119 nautical mile race, and the beginning of sailing’s party of the year.

For the owner of TeamVodafoneSailing, Simon Hull, the win and race record marked the fruition of a long term dream. He always knew that owning a fast multihull was the only way of eventually ensuring a race record, and the notion of purchasing an Orma 60 was borne out of his Coastal Classic attempts in keelboats.

To average a speed of around 20 knots for the duration of the race, TeamVodafoneSailing peaked at 34.8 knots of boatspeed on the racecourse, and saw extended periods of over 30 knots. They put their first reef in the main at Kawau and a second at the Hen and Chicks, as the breeze rose to over 30 knots from the South-West.

They cleared Cape Brett by about two nautical miles, but still fell into the light patch infamous in that area during a South-Westerly, a trap that in 2010 cost them nearly an hour of waiting.

TeamVodafoneSailing was followed into Russell by Roger Pagani’s catamaran, Triple 888, at 1924 hours, and Taeping at 1952 hours. The race started at 1000hrs.

Dirty Deeds finished thirty minutes outside the record for smaller multihull boats, and without absolutely perfect South-Easterly sailing conditions.

The top monohulls were Wired, finishing at 1942hrs, V5 at 1953hrs, and Bare Essentials at 2031hrs. At about fifty foot each, they will be hard pushed to ever beat the race record for monohulls set by the 100 foot supermaxi Alfa Romeo in 2009, of six hours and 43 minutes.

“Congratulations to all winners and finishers,” says event spokesperson Jon Vincent. “This wasn’t an easy race by any means, but it was a fast and exciting one for many boats.”

The race was not without incident: the red trimaran Lucifer capsized at Cape Brett on Friday afternoon, but was later righted by Coastguard with the crew being cold but unharmed. Exodus was dismasted at a similar time, and a number of multihulls withdrew with gear damage, leading to 15 retirees from 151 starters, the penalty of a hard and fast race.

A potential tsunami warning this morning also had the fleet and race management on guard, but it was cancelled within an hour.

Conditions were perfect at the race start: blue skies and crisp South-Westerly breezes saw the fleet start upwind but quickly bear away and depart Auckland in good time. However as they sailed north, some reported winds of up to 30 knots, and lumpy seas.

A fantastic prize pool has been provided by Musto, Mount Gay Rum, the Duke of Marlborough, Railblaza, PredictWind, PIC Insurance, Southern Pacific Inflatables, Dirty Dog, Yamaha and Safety at Sea. The event is also supported by Eventuate and Wilde Media.

Handicap and divisional results can be analysed at the race website.