Strong winds and heavy rain lash Auckland Noumea Race fleet

11:21 AM Sun 28 Jun 2009 GMT

'Fleet positions as at 2300hrs on 28 June 2009' Click Here to view large photo

With heavy rains forecast for the far north, the 13 boats in thr Auckland to Noumea Race fleet are expected to get very wet as they continued racing north.

Limit and V5 are off the top of the North Island now, with Limit reporting 30 knot wind's. Lagoon Ozone, a little further back in the fleet are reporting 40 knot winds.

According to the Tracker positions V5 (Simon Hull) enjoys a substantial lead over the Australian yacht Limit (Alan Brierty), however this could be due to the onboard unit not recording properly in the torrid conditions.

Bare Essentials have taken cover under the Karikari Peninsula at about 1530hours today, all is well but their barometer had a significant drop, so they decided to wait to assess the weather that was coming. And Bird on the Wing have also taken shelter in Mangonui Harbour.

Mustang Sally has had to turn around and head for Opua with steering issues, a hydrolic hose has broken. But hopefully should be back in the race by morning.

The rest of the fleet look like they are continuing to head north for the night.

The weather is looking fairly windy tonight, but should swing more to the East by Monday night, giving the fleet a better sailing angle and hopefully a drier ride north.

Tasman Sea situation and wind strength from PredictWind and Expedition as at 1800hrs on 29 June 2009

Tasman Sea situation and wind strength from PredictWind and Expedition as at 1800hrs on 29 June 2009 - Predictwind.com-iexpedition.org Click Here to view large photo

Quotes from on board:

1900hours - Sunday 28 June 2009

Bird on the Wing is sheltering in Mangonui Harbour, with no reported problems. Limit is the western most boat of the fleet and is into 30kt westerly winds.

1630hours - Sunday 28 June, 2009

Mustang Sally is heading into Opua to fix some steering issues, a hydraulic hose has broken.

1530hours - Sunday 28 June, 2009

Bare Essentials has taken shelter at the top of the Karikari Peninsula. All is well, they are just waiting to see what the depression brings as their barometer has dropped 10mb in the last few hours.

Actual wind readings from Cape Reinga as at 2300hrs on 28 June 2009