Four trans-Tasman rowers are hoping a change in the weather will allow them to begin a dash for Cape Reinga, 720km away.
Team Gallagher is trying to be the first New Zealand team to row from Sydney to Auckland.
Director Rob Hamill says they have spent the last week of their 35 days at sea at the mercy of the weather, tied to a sea anchor.
Earlier, they were blown back to the same spot at least three times.
Once they round Cape Reinga, hopefully within six to eight days, the rowers will then make their way down the east coast to the Auckland harbour bridge.
The crew include Nigel Cherrie of Auckland, Martin Berka from Wellington, James Blake, the son of Sir Peter Blake, and Andrew McCowan from Hamilton.
