ex Elly

I think 2 people have now died in the current race. Not a good look!

I found these guys were the cheapest for lifejackets http://www.wilcomarineservices.co.nz/

11:29 General Jackson passing hole in the wall and still sailing averaging 4 knots. Still racing but behind General Jackson are Timewarp and Open Country. Other boat motoring home.

Current results here: http://www.aucklandtotauranga.org.nz/#!race-updates/qp5id The time limit shall be the later of 1600 hours on 25 March, or 30 hours after the start signal for the first division to start.

4 yachts still racing. Kaimai Express and Voodoo Lounge have just retired Rio Sun has retired and is heading back to Auckland. Still racing are General Jackson, Timewarp, and Open Country currently approaching hole in the wall doing around 4 knots. Frenzy has motor issues and some boats getting low on fuel. Stienlarger II is aproaching A beacon under motor and Arethusa motoring past Karewa Island

Because the tracker is not a physical part of the boat. It is just someone's phone...

Tracker: http://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/race/typbc News updates: https://www.facebook.com/Auckland-to-Tauranga-yacht-race-1229587037058915/?ref=ts&fref=ts

What happens to all the left over bottles of rum?

Historic Auckland ferry the Kestrel sinks http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11601802

Apparently Oracle got within half mile of finish line. But the outgoing tide is quite an impediment.

Pretty similar to the Panmure 2 handed 3 legged!

Starts this weekend in Oman. Watch live Saturday and Sunday 11pm. Sky sport pop up channel 55.

Wheels. TRs are informational only. CG does not follow them up, unless someone reports you missing. Then they know where to start their search.

OI!!! GOT YOUR LIFEJACKET????? When the ads shout at me, and are played at much louder volume than the rest of the broadcast, it makes it hard to listen to.

I could not get anything on channel 20, at Great Barrier over Christmas. I agree the ads are now obtrusive.

Try a seach for "nylon horn cleat"...

Yep this story came out a few months ago, but Stuff and the Herald have only just decided to print it now that it's summer. Kiwi sailor's ordeal: Stroke on the seashttp://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11575183

Yes, that is pretty bad form. Maybe they had a few too many drinks...

Meister, maybe you should keep a torch or spot light in the cockpit next time you are on anchor watch?

Wheels, at Kawau you could have anchored at Coppermine. Much better than Bon Accord in an easterly.

This is not the first yacht to mistake Mangawhai for Whangarei in the dark. Space Station (SR26) did the same thing in the 2008 Coastal Classic.

Note, this race is safety Category 2.

I guess one option is to delay your entry till as late as possible, when you know what the wind direction will be.

DrWatson, at the prizegiving there were about 6 boats read out, who completed the course, but finished after 2pm. One of these was Crocodile (Elliot 770). And quite a few boats, including Farr 1020, Chico 40, and Jeanneau 45 only finished in the last half hour. I guess the learning here, is that if you have a small boat (say handicap less than 0.75), don't bother starting the race if it's a northerly, as you won't make the cut off time. A bit like the America's Cup, when ETNZ could not make the finish time when the wind was light!

@JohnB, Berenice is designed by Mitchinson, a Tauranga designer. Touchdown is another of his.