NZDF takes on Coastguard in Coastal Classic race

The Navy training yacht Mako II contests a previous Coastal Classic. Photo / supplied

The New Zealand Defence Force will go head to head — or should that be headsail to headsail — with Coastguard in this Friday's Coastal Classic.

The 119 nautical mile Auckland-Russell yacht race is expected to draw about 170 vessels this year and almost as many friendly rivalries.

They include a contest between the Navy sail training craft Mako II, which will be crewed by a mix of Defence Force personnel, and Campaign, which will be crewed by Auckland Coastguard volunteers.

The boats, both 12.2m, will be skippered by Hamish Ivey and Rebecca Jackson, respectively.

Last year the NZDF crew beat the Coastguard entry by just 13 minutes over a race which took them about 10 hours to complete.

The Coastguard crew is determined to avenge that loss this year. Their experience from last year has prompted then to recruit additional shore crew to stock the boat with supplies for the return leg as well as plenty of baking for the race.

Meanwhile, the crew on board Mako II will use both the race up and the return passage to advance their skipper restricted limits training records. The Navy's three sail training craft have entered 22 races to date.

The Coastal Classic starts at 9.30am on Friday off Devonport wharf with the first vessels likely to reach Russell by late afternoon, depending on conditions.

Last year's winner and course record holder Frank Racing, a 21m trimaran, is the favourite to win again this year. The start and finish will be livestreamed at www.coastalclassic.co.nz.