Well for once the Metservice got the Labour weekend forecast exactly right. Unfortunately it made for some wet and windy conditions for the approximately 180 starters in the Coastal Classic. Our congratulations are extended to all Beneteau entrants and finishers but particularly Quintin Fowler in his new First 45 "Outrageous Fortune"

Sailing in Division 2, Outrageous Fortune gained line honours in Division, as well as PHRF handicap and first in Division on IRC. In addition to their fantastic divisional results, they gained 13th on line overall, 4th overall on IRC in a race that favoured the bigger boats and were the first Beneteau home beating the larger A division boats, Laissez Faire (First 47.7) and Bird on the Wing (First 50). In a race that had winds between 0 and 35 knots that consistently blew from wherever the boat was headed this is a great accomplishment by boat and crew. Also racing in Division 2 was a second First 45 "Zuri" owned and skippered by Murray Gilbert. Configured as his "cruising" boat with only a furling headsail, they achieved a great result with 6th in Division 2 on line and 6th overall on IRC handicap.

Other results of note go to Mack Storey on Laissez Faire with 16th overall and 8th on IRC and Bird on the Wing with 17th overall and 10th on IRC. By all reports these two crews were close right throughout the race with the lead changing several times. Laissez Faire eventually squeezing out to a small lead in the final leg into the Bay of Islands which she held to the finish.

In what was a tough race with breezy conditions and a short sharp seaway that resulted in nearly two thirds of the fleet failing to make the finish, it's a great reflection on the strength and quality of the Beneteau Brand that the only damage reported on a Beneteau was the loss of the TV aerial off the top of the mast!!!