Rounding the North Island - New Zealand

New Zealand - The fleet of 24 yachts have started the 2008 Round North Island Race in overcast drizzly conditions. Most crews took a rather cautious start to the race with reefs in place and keeping well back from the startline. There was about 15 knots of wind building to low 20's once clear of Rangitoto channel.

Akatea took full advantage to start right by the wharf on port tack easily crossing the fleet and being first boat to clear North Head. A ship entering Auckland Harbour created another obstacle for the yachts to avoid, in addition to the unusual sight of a submarine leaving the harbour.

Waka reports from sea:
"Just entering tiri channel 15 miles north of auckland sheets just cracked so not a great angle with only 28 feet of length. However hanging in ok. Late to start as only pulling 4 or so knots under engine. We now know due to weed washed in with the storm yesterday. New key west yet weather gear thanks to support from gill kindly arranged during yesterdays delay doing a great job. Now waiting for expected wind shift and some swell past kawau. Better get back on the rail."

Oracle reports from sea:
"off Beam Tail drifting in a 5 knot lumpy swell.Started with 2 reefs in the main now have none and the masthead kite up but boats around them look to be doing better with genoas up so they are contemplating bringing it down.Can see Waka's red jenni in front and Mrs Jones, Nevenka, Sunstone, Escapolopy behind although all sound quite close."

Zora reports from sea:
"Headsail feeder failed at 5min gun. Parked on start like a stranded proa. Stayed left from the start sneeking past northhead with Waka. Now entering Tiri passage, Waka 200m astern. Second Nature with new keel just to weather and Whitebait on our hip. 7 ahead and 16 behind. Put the kettle on soon."

"Making 4.7 in 5.3 knots out of the first park up. The big boats are way inshore the rest are gybing in a light southerly. Whitebait just gybed back onto starboard. Second Nature and Mr Roosevelt head outside. Tinned cat for dinner. yum"

"1.5 wind, 0.05 boatspeed. Could take a while to get to Sail Rock. 50 knots here 24 hours ago ! Time to put the kettle on. Bugger ! just started to drizzle again. Wish you were here ?"