Wired leads HSBC Premier Coastal Classic

'Infidel was sailing impressively at the start of the HSBC Premier Coastal Classic 2008' Richard Gladwell Click Here to view large photo

The Bakewell-White design 'Wired' (Rob Bassett)led the HSBC Premier Coastal Classic fleet out of the Waitemata Harbour, and was well in control of the race as the 200 plus competitors set course for Cape Brett at the entrance to the Bay of Islands.

Sailing in a 20kts NNE breeze, Wired looked very snug and well in control of the conditions as the fleet moved into a bigger swell, expected to develop to two metres later in the day.

Close to the leaders was the iconic John Spencer design, the 65ft Infidel, or Ragtime, as she is known in USA. Infidel was footing nicely in the conditions with a reefed mainsail and dacron hollow cut leech jib.

Tight racing as the fleet foots through to North Head soon after the start of the HSBC Premier Coastal Classic 2008 - Richard Gladwell Click Here to view large photo

The 'Black Box' as she was affectionately known in Auckland sailing circles also seemed to be handling the conditions nicely, as would be expected of the most travelled competitor in the fleet.

Only mishap at the start occurred to Taepeng (Greg Roake), a multihull expected to lead the fleet home. She suffered some minor problems at the start, forcing some repairs, before she set off to chase the fleet some 10 minutes late.