The Line 7 Tornado Team of Aaron McIntosh and Mark Kennedy took a days training a step further, racing the HSBC Coastal Classic fleet from Auckland to Russell. With a great start at the windward end of the line Aaron and Mark jumped out into the lead in the 8-12 knot SE breeze. A gennaker hoist at North Head the boys headed out for a long sail up the coast.
They held a handy lead over the bigger multihulls as they headed north. With The SE breeze getting softer there course took them further off shore than had originally planned. The SE hung in all the way to Cape Brett with the breeze building to 18 knots at times and the sea state ramping up considerably heading in to the Brett. The last 2 miles were a little hairy at times, a sensible move to back off the pace a little but still sailing at 15 knots they went out side Percy Island and held the gennaker for another 5 miles into the BOI before the SW change settled in and with final hour on the wind.
With a elapsed time of 9 hours 30 mins, a total distance covered of 146 miles at an average speed of 15.37 knots. They arrived at 7.30 half an hour ahead of official race winner Taiping.
It was great sail and the conditions were perfect for the Tornado, bit of long day but we handled it well, says Aaron.
Many thanks for the support from Luke Wigglesworth and his team in the chase boat and Bethany in the shore team.
