TeamVodafoneSailing at the start. Image copyright HSBC Premier Coastal Classic.
by SailRaceWin
Perfect sailing conditions - sunshine, sparkling seas and a good breeze - greeted competitors at the start of the 2010 HSBC Premier Coastal Classic, from Auckland to Russell in the Bay of Islands.
To begin with it looked as though the ex-Geant trimaran, TeamVodafoneSailing, might be in with a chance of establishing a new course record. However, light winds around Cape Brett have slowed her passage. Earlier passing times were: Flat Rock 11:17:00; Sail Rock 12:43:00; and Cape Brett 15:50:00.
"No chance for the record now, there is very little breeze in and around the Brett. Just got through the gap (no breeze outside or inside). Luckily the tide took us through . Now have a 5 knot breeze from 060. pretty ugly" they reported from on board TeamVodafone Sailing.
Current order of the top boats is: TeamVodafoneSailing, This Way Up, Taeping, Split Enz, Limit (Alan Brierty's monohull - the first mono) and Exodus.
Image copyright HSBC Premier Coastal Classic.
Image copyright HSBC Premier Coastal Classic.
Image copyright HSBC Premier Coastal Classic.
Limit sails off into the Hauraki Gulf. Image copyright HSBC Premier Coastal Classic.
Image copyright HSBC Premier Coastal Classic.
Limit (Alan Brierty) in the lead. Image copyright HSBC Premier Coastal Classic.
Limit's (first monohull) is the leading white kite. Image copyright HSBC Premier Coastal Classic.
Image copyright HSBC Premier Coastal Classic.
Image copyright HSBC Premier Coastal Classic.
Image copyright HSBC Premier Coastal Classic.
Image copyright HSBC Premier Coastal Classic.
Image copyright HSBC Premier Coastal Classic.
Links to more photos and a video from the start on the Wall of SailRaceWin's Facebook page
HSBC Premier Coastal Classic
