Two-time America's Cup winner Jimmy Spithill will be competing in this month's Coastal Classic - an annual yacht race from Auckland's Devonport Wharf to Russell in the Bay of Islands.
Spithill will be on board the Orma 60 trimaran, Frank Racing - formerly known as Team Vodafone - as a tactician for the race, which begins on October 20.
The race normally features over 100 starters, with participants ranging from small key boats to high-performance monohulls.
Speaking to Fairfax, Spithill said he has always wanted to compete in the race.
"It looks like a great race and should be a heap of fun," he said.
"I've flown helicopters along that coast but always wanted to see it all from a boat. Hopefully, we get a good breeze."
Frank Racing owner and skipper Simon Hull said Spithill would likely be a tactician on the boat, "but it would be silly not to use his driving skills".
"It will be great to have Jimmy and the sailing intensity that he will inevitably bring. Both personally and to focusing the crew," Hull said.
The boat Spithill will be racing on holds the race record, completing the 2014 edition in five hours and 13 minutes.
Newshub.
