End of August 2015 is close… and last sunny month of Europe’s sailing summer season starts soon. Hopefully then we can warm up in autumn from “down under” watching live another battle between two racing mashines on three hulls of the open 60 class (commonly known as ORMA 60)… as it happened in 2012 and 2013 with the duel between Team Vodafone versus Team Australia (videos of 2013 see bottom).

In 2015 we and you can watch the PIC Coastal Classic LIVE

For the first time in the history of New Zealand’s most iconic yacht race, the 2015 PIC Coastal Classic will be streamed live online at http://www.coastalclassic.co.nz.

Thanks to the support of title sponsors PIC Insurance Brokers, race followers will be able to watch the action as it happens, on their computer, tablet or smartphone. Coverage will start around 30 minutes before the race, which starts at 0930 hrs NZT (= UTC+12 hours ) on 23rd October 2015.

This innovative development means that for the first time ever, audiences throughout New Zealand and around the world will be able to watch the spectacular start of the PIC Coastal Classic live, and follow the fleet as they sail out of the Waitemata past Rangitoto Light.

As New Zealand’s biggest yacht race, the PIC Coastal Classic typically draws crowds of thousands of spectators to watch the start from vantage points like North Head and Devonport in Auckland. Now coverage of the event will be accessible to a global audience online, spectator numbers and worldwide interest in the race are expected to grow significantly.

Coverage of the mass start off Devonport Wharf will be broadcast live from on the water and on the shore, allowing spectators to follow all the action as it unfolds, from a variety of angles.

Race Director Matthew Flynn said: “It’s an incredibly exciting time for the PIC Coastal Classic. As far as I’m aware, this is a first for New Zealand yacht racing, and the NZMYC are proud to be at the forefront of this technology, enabling this great event to be viewed by a truly global audience.”

Daniel Garner of PIC Insurance Brokers commented: “For PIC it is really exciting to be asked to be involved in something which hasn’t been done before. We have loved being involved with the Coastal Classic and now our staff and the public can enjoy live coverage of the Coastal Classic.”

Live coverage of the race start will be filmed and broadcast by sailing website Live Sail Die. Suellen Hurling, founder of Live Sail Die, said: “This is such an exciting chapter for New Zealand sailing and the Live Sail Die team is really excited to be a part of this milestone.”

Live coverage of the start of the 34th PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic will be steaming at http://www.coastalclassic.co.nz from approximately 0900hrs (= UTC+12 hours) on Friday 23rd October 2015.

Review 2013…

The start of the Coastal Classic 2013, taken from North Head. Off round North Head and then a long beat to Russell in the Bay of Islands… with two representatives of the legendary trimaran class ORMA 60: Team Vodafone vs. Team Australia

Team Vodafone versus Team Australia

on Aucklands Waitemata Harbour in October 2013.

Tks to Robert Mills for these wonderful footages.