We can go even faster, says skipper

Southwesterly winds help the fleet out of the Waitemata Harbour for the fast blast north to Russell. Photo / Jason Oxenham

After carving nearly half an hour off their own Coastal Classic race record, Team Vodafone Sailing skipper Simon Hull immediately set his sights on going even faster.

The Orma60 trimaran claimed line honours in the prestigious race for the fourth time in five years after tearing up the 119 nautical mile course.

Setting off from Devonport Wharf at 10am yesterday morning, the trimaran reached Russell in 5 hours, 13 minutes and 21 seconds, bettering their 2012 efforts by 28 minutes.

While delighted his team could improve their record, Hull said the aim was now to crack the five-hour mark.

"I guess the best thing is it makes it obvious that five hours is do-able. That's got to be the target - we always said it would be."

With light southwesterly winds forecast for yesterday's race, it was initially thought the race record would not be threatened this year. But a front crossing the region made for a blistering run north.

In the monohull fleet, headline entrants Beau Geste and Giacomo duelled all the way up the coast. After seven hours of racing, less than two and a half minutes separated the two boats, with Gavin Brady's Beau Geste edging Giacomo.

More than 150 boats took part, with some of the smaller boats not expected to finish until this morning.