Yachting: Headwinds for Coastal Classic

Headwinds of 15-20 knots are forecast for the 25th anniversary of the Coastal Classic yacht race which starts this morning on the Waitemata Harbour.

The race, which has 241 official entries, begins off Devonport Wharf, and travels 119 nautical miles up the coast to Russell in the Bay of Islands.

The weather forecast means that the new generation 50ft boats are race favourites, as their canting keels and ballast will greatly assist them in the uphill climb.

This includes the new Brett Bakewell-White designed Wired and Elliott 50 Ran TanII.