Crusader35 took both line and handicap honours in the International Paints Auckland to Tauranga.

The race had a delayed start due to the storm hitting Auckland at the scheduled start time.

Yachts heading to the finish line in Tauranga Harbour. Photo: Supplied.

Around 26 boats started set sail at 4pm on Thursday and headed out in the Hauraki Gulf, with 25 to 30 knots of NE greeting the fleet as they left Auckland Harbour.

This saw several boats retire.

The crews and boats battled around Channel Island with the first boats around by 11pm.

A rough reach across and through the Hole in the Wall, and everyone was chasing Crusader35 and Bushido, says the Tauranga Yacht Club.

"There was a spectacular lightning show and the rain kept the crew washed down," says a statement on the club's website.

The fleet leaders had the best of the NE breeze as they reached towards Tauranga.

Crusader35 finished at 5.46 with Bushido finishing in a changing wind two hours later.

The wind lightened off for the rest of the fleet and even kicked in from the SE for a couple of hours at the finish line.

The last group of boats brought the northerly wind change back.

A big group came across the finish line around 2pm yesterday with spinnakers flying on a shy port reach.

Unitec II was the only boat to complete the course two handed.

Lynx was first B Division on PHRF and Sabian won B Division on line.