Friday 10am off Devonport Wharf is the start of New Zealand biggest yacht race, the annual Auckland to Russell - Coastal Classic. This drag race to the Duke of Marlborough Hotel was started in the 1980’s by a group of multihull sailors and follows the course that launches in the 1920’s used for speed attempts.
Again this year we will be sailing Two- Handed up the coast on the mighty Coppelia. Southerly winds are predicted, which will give us a chance to use our brand new EXPEDITION branded kite from Evolution Sails. This new kite has been brought to replace our blue one (which ripped in two in this race last year and was mended for the RNI), and is essentially a Farr 11.6 class kite. Designed for winds over 18 knots, we are hoping to hoist this kite at North Head and hold it to the Brett….
Rob and I are sailing in the B division with other fully crewed boats the same size. As Rob has been away, and I have a little busy with other things, we are going to make a massive effort this week with boat work, the main focus being an earlier than expected replacement of our navigation PC, as well as secure and permanent storage of all our electronics.
Following the race we will be completing a training sail back to Auckland, either straight after the finish or after a sleep. The focus on the sail home is to use our pilot (electronic self steering) more than we have been. I’ll keep you posted … b
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