Winds ideal for Clash at Cove

The inaugural Clash at the Cove will see crews coming from all directions to join in three days of racing in Northland waters.

Yachts will leave from either Whangaparoa's Gulf Harbour and Richmond Boat Club in Auckland or from the Bay of Islands today in the forecast 15 knot winds, which is perfect for racing, race committee organiser Eric Knight said.

Boats will leave Bay of Islands and Richmond Boat Club at 10am, while those leaving Gulf Harbour start racing at noon, so all the boats can finish together.

"They will finish at the Whangarei Harbour entrance late this afternoon, and then the celebrations commence at Marsden Cove. On Saturday we'll have a prizegiving before sending the yachts out to Bream Bay for a Round the Buoys race and Round the Islands racing, followed by more celebrations," said Knight, a member of the Onerahi Yacht Club.

The Clash at the Cove is a combination of the Lombardini Route 66, Firewatch 56 and Opua to Marsden Cove. Organisers were anticipating a fun regatta, with some entertaining racing.

Depending on the weather, Knight said he was hopeful around 60 crews would take part.

"While Friday looks good with 15 knots of wind, tomorrow could see some big 40-50 knot winds, so we will have to wait and see," he said.

The big boys are also coming out to play, including ex-World Cup and Med Cup frontrunner Kia Kaha now owned by Chris Hornell from the Bay of Islands, which plans to line up with similar yachts at Marsden Cove.

Tomorrow's racing gets under way at 11am.