8 - 9 March 2024

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A NEW RACE A NEW CHALLENGE

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Smooth sailing ahead with an entry fee of $30

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Friday 20 October

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RACE DOCUMENTS

The organising authority for the pic insurance brokers coastal classic is the nz multihull yacht club inc.,  p.o. box 3337, shortland street, auckland 1140, new zealand , notice of race.

The 2023 Notice of Race is now available. 

Please check back for amendments from time to time.  

SAILING INSTRUCTIONS

Please make yourself familiar with the 2023 Sailing Instructions. NOTE: these instructions may be updated due to the on-going watewater pipes situation. 

USEFUL MATERIAL 

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Start of country's biggest yacht race kicks off long weekend holiday weekend

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Bay of Islands Coastal Classic death: Westlake Boys’ High School teacher killed during yacht race

Rachel Maher

Rachel Maher

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Simon Smith had taught at Westlake Boys' High School for 35 years and was just weeks away from retirement when he died during the Coastal Classic.

The man who died during a major New Zealand yacht race was just weeks from retiring after teaching at a top Auckland high school for more than three decades.

Westlake Boys’ High principal David Ferguson today wrote to the school community telling them history teacher and avid sailor Simon Smith died in the Coastal Classic yacht race on Friday.

Smith was fatally injured when the boom - a horizontal spar at the bottom of the mast - swung around and struck him during the race. Two other sailors on board the yacht were also injured in the late-night incident.

Ferguson said Smith had taught at Westlake Boys’ High School for nearly 35 years.

He described him as an “avid sailor” and a “Westlake legend”.

An email sent to parents and students this afternoon said Smith was “hugely popular with the hundreds of boys who he taught, mentored and coached”.

“He was also a much-loved colleague with a great sense of humour and an incredible knowledge of New Zealand history,” Ferguson wrote.

“Simon was a loyal Westlake First XV rugby supporter and was always present at Westlakers events where he was often surrounded by large groups of Westlakers as he told stories.

“Simon was a really proud Westlaker who gave nearly 35 years of service to his old school. He told me only last week that he was going to finally retire in December this year.

“We are so sad to hear this news about Simon. Simon is a Westlake legend and the school won’t be the same without him.”

Ferguson said Smith’s wife also worked at the school.They have three children together.

The principal said since beginning at Westlake in 1989, Smith had acted as a history teacher, head of department, dean, and a hugely successful sailing coach.

He had been keen on sailing for a long time, competing in the first Whitbread Round The World Ocean Race.

The school will hold a special assembly tomorrow in honour of Smith.

Ferguson did not want to comment further.

The Coastal Classic, hosted by the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club (NZMYC), is a 119-nautical-mile race from Auckland to Russell. The fatal accident occurred in the Bay of Islands.

“As many of you now know, last night [Friday] we were informed by Maritime Police of a serious incident aboard one of our entrant boats. Sadly, a person has died,” Adrian Percival, NZMYC Commodore, said in a statement on Saturday.

“Our thoughts and love are with the crew, and the family and friends of this person.

“We cannot tell you any more at the moment, only that words cannot express our sorrow. We are working to support those involved, and working with police, Coastguard and Yachting NZ to assist with their inquiries.”

Police say they are making inquiries into the accident on behalf of the Coroner.

At the time of the accident, the Kokako Rescue boat from the Coastguard Bay of Islands service was nearby and rushed to help the crew.

“Upon reaching the yacht shortly after 0100 hours, one of our crew boarded with a medical kit, including a defibrillator,” said Ayden Armitage, a member of the Kokako’s volunteer Coastguard crew.

“Sadly, the individual passed away.”

Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.

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Person dies after being knocked unconscious during Coastal Classic yacht race

A person has died after being knocked unconscious on a yacht while racing in the Coastal Classic in the Bay of Islands.

A distress call came through to Coastguard Bay of Islands volunteers who were doing a night time training exercise about 11.30pm on Friday.

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Their boat,  Kokako Rescue , arrived at the yacht, where a crew member had been struck by the boom, just after 1am with a medical kit and defibrillator but the person died.

Ayden Armitage, Coastguard volunteer onboard  Kokako Rescue , said their training coinciding with the Coastal Classic was a strategic decision and significantly reduced their response time.

The other sailors on the yacht were assessed, including two who had moderate injuries.

Kokako Rescue  accompanied the yacht back to Opua, arriving shortly before 4am on Saturday.

Armitage said their thoughts were with the whānau of the sailor and their fellow crew members who were on board at the time.

Police said the death had been referred to the Coroner.

The Coastal Classic is a race from Devonport in Auckland to Russell in the Bay of Islands, hosted by the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club.

It has been held annually at Labour Weekend since its inception in 1982.

Adrian Percival, commodore of the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club said it was working with Police, Coastguard and Yachting NZ in their enquiries.

"Our thoughts are with the family, friends and we now turn to supporting our family of sailors," he said.

nz coastal classic yacht race

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COMMENTS

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  2. PIC Coastal Classic yacht race

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  3. PIC Coastal Classic 2023

    Region: Auckland. Event date: Fri 20 Oct 2023 to Sat 21 Oct 2023. Notice of Race: PIC Coastal Classic Race NOR. PDF. 351.58 KB. NZ's Iconic Auckland to Russell Coastal Yacht Race Friday 20 October 2023.

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  10. PDF NZ's Iconic Auckland to Russell Coastal Yacht Race

    NZ's Iconic Auckland to Russell Coastal Yacht Race Friday 20 October 2023 The Organising Authority (OA) is: The NZ Multihull Yacht Club P.O. Box 3337, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140 www.coastalclassic.co.nz NOTICE OF RACE 1.0 RULES 1.1 The race will be governed by the rules as defined in the latest edition of The Racing Rules of Sailing.

  11. FOLLOW

    The PredictWind tracker shows positions in real time. All boats are required to call in at Flat Rock, Sail Rock and Cape Brett. These skeds are published here.

  12. Race Documents

    The Organising Authority for the PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic is the NZ Multihull Yacht Club Inc., P.O. Box 3337, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140, New Zealand ... The 2023 Notice of Race is now available. ...

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  17. Bay of Islands Coastal Classic death: Sailor dies during yachting race

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  18. Start of country's biggest yacht race kicks off long weekend holiday

    More than 150 yachts will start the PIC Coastal Classic yacht race tomorrow morning. The coastal sailing marathon is the biggest of its type in New Zealand, and marks the start of the summer boating season for hundreds of Kiwi sailors. ... Organised by the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club, it is a race designed for speed: except for at the ...

  19. Bay of Islands Coastal Classic death: Westlake Boys' High ...

    The Coastal Classic, hosted by the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club (NZMYC), is a 119-nautical-mile race from Auckland to Russell. The fatal accident occurred in the Bay of Islands.

  20. Person dies after being knocked unconscious during Coastal Classic

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