Sailing sav to save sailors

Yachts make their way to the starting point of the Marlborough sauvignon blanc yacht race now in its 14th year. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

"Roughly every six hours we need $2,500." Life Flight's Sherry Herrick watches the yachts from the Pacific Eagle. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

The yachts take off across the Cook Strait towards Wellington. The wine race is based on the Beaujolais race from France to England. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Each bottle of sauvignon blanc is locked into a box to prevent any sneaky taste tests during the crossing. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Blink, skippered by Vesna Wells, was tipped to be the speediest boat and won the race into Wellington. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Vesna Wells was skipper for the first time on Blink and said she would enjoy a cold glass of sauvignon blanc regardless of the outcome. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Wine and yachting go together with many of the wine company staff also crewing yachts in the race. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Chris Webb lost consciousness while being winched to a helicopted fourteen years ago but it hasn't put him off sailing. Here, he and his dog Rangi conduct last minute safety checks on his yacht, Midnight. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Baby Lennox is transferred into a Life Flight air ambulance. So far the organisation has helped 26,000 people. Photo supplied

Precious cargo - Life Flight's smallest patients are unwell premature babies. Photo supplied

Sherry Herrick and Holly McDougall of Life Flight say hearing stories from people they've helped makes their job worthwile. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

The inside of a Life Flight air ambulance. Photo supplied

Race organiser Juliet Abbott briefs the teams at the Waikawa Boating Club. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

A record 39 yachts signed up to compete in this year's race. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Sailing Midnight is its owner Chris Webb who was rescued by Life Flight 14 years ago. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

The first yacht into Wellington was Blink carrying a Rapaura Springs sauvignon blanc. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Life Flight's CEO Alan Cook says the charity partnership with the race proves their work is valued. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

Life Flight's Westpac Rescue Helicopter winch rescue.

A Life Flight air ambulance landing at Wellington Airport. Photo Sean Singleton

Life Flight needs to raise about $4million a year so a stall has been set up at the Marlborough sauvignon blanc tasting in Wellington. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox

A portion of each ticket sale to the wine tasting event in Wellington is donated to Life Flight. RNZ/Daniela Maoate-Cox