The annual Auckland to Tauranga yacht race is cancelled after race organisers decided it was too dangerous due to Rena debris.

The decision to cancel the race was made about 11am today with race organisers deciding it was too greater risk to boats sailing through the debris field from the Rena wreck at Astrolabe Reef.

Team Vodafone sailing team. Photo: Team Vodafone Sailing.

High seas and strong winds on Tuesday hammered the wreck on the reef, about 25km from Tauranga, causing an estimated 10 containers and further debris to be pushed from the wreck.

There have since been reports of debris near Slipper Island, which is on the race track from the Colville Channel to Tauranga.

Team Vodafone Sailing, operators of the OMRA 60 trimaran, anticipated the race cancellation with the team pulling out of the race earlier today.

'We feel for the guys at the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club,” says TVS owner Simon Hull today.

'They have put a huge effort in and they are a great club. They make us all feel very welcome. It's very sad to see them forced to cancel one of their premier races in the season.”

TVS boat captain Stu MacKinven says wind direction was the key decider in pulling the 18.28metre ORMA trimaran from the race.

The team own the record for the Coastal Classic and were hoping to break the Auckland to Tauranga record as well.

'We had a bit of meeting last night and went over what we thought about it. We were looking pretty carefully at it and we definitely wanted to have a go, but it's too much of a risk,” says Stu.

With a wind on the beam, the trimaran would have been reaching from Cape Colville to Tauranga at speeds of 25-30knots and could have arrived with enough light to see by.

But forecasts put the wind south of east, to varying degrees meaning it would be slower upwind sailing for most of the race.

'That was a bit of our decision too,” says Stu.

'We might get there on dusk, but if we get held up by weather in the Colville Strait we might be coming in there in the dark and not be able to spot anything. And they come up pretty quick too.

'It's alright if you can see it, but a lot of times it would be under the surface.”

Stu says there have been reports of bits of wood and other debris around Slipper Island, near Tairua.

'One guy said he was sailing past the other day and he saw a wooden reel - like a drum of rope or nylon - floating along in its packaging. That would have caused a bit of damage to the foils, if not the hull.”

Stu says the other factor in the decision is the time it would take to repair any damage to the carbon fibre and Nomex core hull, which would impact on Team Vodafone's winter sailing programme.

'We are off to Noumea in June, we don't want to do any damage and miss the Noumea Race, and then we are off to Australia for a while too,” says Stu.

'It's been a bit frustrating for us this race. This would have been our third go at it. The last two times we got becalmed. We had a pretty good run last time down to Hahei, just offshore there and we just ran into the light stuff and had to drift in at the end.”

Both Stu and Scott Simpson are former Mount Maunganui College students, who grew up sailing Sunbursts and Centreboards with the TYPBC. They also crewed with the various keel boats, Berenice, Arethusa and others.

Race chairman Ross Sheerin says the forecast for continuing south-easterly winds means any debris is likely to be scattered through the area that the racing yachts will be sailing through during the latter part of the race.

The forecast for continued strong easterly quarter gales and heavy seas is also a factor in the decision.

”The race organising committee has been monitoring Rena developments throughout our planning," says Ross.

"Unfortunately the events of the last few days equate to our worst case scenario in terms of holding the race.

"We have been in constant contact with Maritime NZ and the Tauranga Harbourmaster, and have evaluated their input. Regretfully, and in respect for participant's safety, the only prudent option at this stage is to cancel this year's race.”

The Rena disaster has made the club's sailing season very challenging, says Club commodore Wayne Eaton.

"We have had several events affected throughout the summer. Like everyone, we look forward to when things return to normal, but until then, we will continue to be sensible in our decisions.”

'We want to thank all our sponsors for their support and understanding," says Ross.

"As well as the army of volunteers that have worked hard on organising this year's race. Thanks also to our Auckland hosts, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for their efforts and consultation. We look forward to a great race next year.”

The Auckland to Tauranga Race was first sailed in 1921 and is TYPBC's premier annual event for coastal racers. The race attracts boats from throughout the North Island who come to Tauranga for the holiday weekend.