TeamVodafoneSailing smashed the course record in winning the Coastal Classic and broke the six-hour mark for the first time in the event's 30-year history.
The 60-foot trimaran crossed the finish line just after 3.15pm this afternoon and their time of 5:44.31 meant an average speed of close to 20 knots for the 119 nautical mile race from Auckland's Devonport Wharf to Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands.
The previous race record of 6 hrs 43 mins was set in 2009 by the supermaxi Alfa Romeo, which in turn replaced a 13-year-old record held by Split Enz.
TeamVodafoneSailing slowed briefly at Cape Brett but was soon up to speed again to sail the last 15 upwind miles into Russell. Roger Pagani's 50-foot catamaran Triple 8 was the next to radio in that they were at Cape Brett, more than an hour later.
Most boats are expected to finish overnight.
