A large crowd on North Head braved a biting sou'wester and squalls to watch the start of the annual race from Auckland to RussellPahi and Pelagian take an early lead in the last divisional startPahi (left foreground) and Pelagian (right foreground) not afraid to use kites in near gale conditions
Pelagian comes in close to North head before a gybeAn arriving car carrier is halted near North Head to make way for the starting fleetPelagian and Pahi split gybesPelagian surfingPelagian heading into the Rangitoto ChannelPelagian near RangiPelagian near RangiPahi and Pelagian leading the fleet in the Rangitoto ChannelThe fleet heading north