Yachting: Coastal Classic blasts off

2.30pm UPDATE - By ALEXIS GRANT

The Coastal Classic began in Auckland today with a blast from an NZ army Howitzer.

More than 230 boats took off from Auckland this morning in the annual yacht race to Russell.

The largest contender, at 30m long, is New Zealand's only supermaxi the Konica Minolta.

The start was "brilliant, with lots of wind", according to Elizabeth Hannaford of race organiser Pants Events.

At 1pm, three hours into the event, monohull Konica Minolta was in the lead, she said.

The first finishers are expected to arrive at Russell Wharf, in the Bay of Islands, around 7pm.

Last year, the New Caledonian catamaran Rogntudjuu took line honours in nine hours 36 mins in a tight finish from X-Factor, Slime and Sundreamer.

Less than three minutes covered the arrivals, with all four boats taking a turn in the lead in the beat up through the Bay of Islands.