Wind wreaks havoc during yacht race

While wind is good for yachting, massive gusts earlier today proved to be too much for three yachts out on Auckland Harbour. Photo / Thinkstock

Auckland coast guard responded to three callouts within 20 minutes early today when a massive gust of wind tore through a yacht race.

One yacht ran aground and hit a rock, while another two yachts had their masts ripped off about 1.30am in the Rangitoto Channel, Auckland coast guard duty officer Katherine Andrews said.

"The wind just picked up like you wouldn't believe, obviously a gust came through.''

There was two people on each yacht and no one was injured, Ms Andrews said.

The yachts were just approaching the finish line when the wind picked up, she said.