FINISHED IN AUCKLAND!

HURRAY

Early Monday morning, though it was Sunday 23:00 gmt, I Finished the Austral Winter II Sailing Race in the Auckland harbour. 

Celebrations however kept me from  entering this post till  now. 

The last stretch offered still some challenging winds as the course was after the last gate towards the South-West while the wind had veered as well to the South West. But than that is not only for me, but for all the boats I am sailing with. 

The last stretch , I must done something better than some of the other participating boats as it saw me climbing from 123 to the 119th spot on the finishing list.

This was a nice, challenging and interesting race. Due to some circumstances I had some 4-5 days that I could minimal attend to the boat and set the autopilot twice a day, that have for sure robbed me of a better classification. 

Sailing around the North_East Cape of New Zealand

Rounded the North-East Cape properly!


As will all capes, I keep a proper distance as to be sure that I sail free from the rocks, as I am scared always for those undiscovered rocks. 


After sailing through the Cook Strait, yesterday, no time to make any visits as the race is still on-goiong. The sailing along the East coast of Northern island went smooth in nice strong breeze. 


Now the sailing is west toward Great Barrier Island, with the Auckland Finish as a target. 


The winds are still very nice, southerly and just below 10 kts. I will try to make as much miles as possible, as the wind forecast tells me that the winds towards the west are weaker and also start veering into the SW; as you guessed it, just the direction I have to sail towards the Finish!