By JULIE ASH
The forecast was lousy, but scores of yachts converged on Waitemata Harbour yesterday for the start of the Auckland-to-Russell Lindauer Coastal Classic.
The event attracted a record number of entries, 271 yachts, although only 252 made it to the start line. The previous record entry was 247 in
1996.
The overall line winner was New Caledonian catamaran Rogntudjuuu skippered by Philippe Coste. His unofficial time was 12h 50m 50s.
Coste was also the winner of the multihull division.
The fleet battled head winds for most of the 119-nautical-mile journey and by 11 pm, 60 had pulled out with gear failure, breakages or sea-sickness among the crews.
Preparation for the haul to Russell began long before the 10 am start.
On went the sunscreen and into the yachts went food, drink and extra clothes.
The start line resembled the Southern Motorway at the beginning of a long weekend as boats jostled to find a place on the line without crashing.
Team NZ skipper Dean Barker started the race, firing a 104mm howitzer off Devonport Wharf. Race director Joyce Talbot said it was "one of the better starts in the history of the race".
Spectators lined the wharf and North Head to watch the fleet set sail.
Making the journey this time was former America's Cup yacht NZL40 (formerly FRA40) and three Royal New Zealand Navy yachts.
Other entries came from South Africa, Australia, New Caledonia and the United States.
At stake was a record purse for the 20th anniversary sailing of the race.
