Live: Run down of the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic
- kirsten796
- 5 days ago
- 17 min read
Updated: 15 minutes ago
The PredictWind tracker shows positions in real time.
All boats are required to call in at Flat Rock, Sail Rock and Cape Brett.
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Send them through on the same WhatsApp number and help us keep the memories of this incredible race alive just a little longer.
19:00 hrs As crews gather under the PIC Coastal Classic tent in Russell, the mood is all about celebration. Tonight’s prizegiving marks the end of another incredible journey north, and the realisation that it will be another year before the next fleet sets sail for Russell once more.
14:55 hrs As crews look forward to tonight’s prizegiving in Russell, SV Thistle (Division 8) handed the final word to their on-board reporter, a fitting close to a long but memorable PIC Coastal Classic.
14:00 hrs The race cutoff has now been reached. So close for Persevere, Babe, Copplestock, Hot Gossip, Motorboat, Pelagian 2, Red Baron, Satisfaction, Shimmer, Smokey, SV Thistle, Visage, Highline, and La Camargue, all of whom made it past Cape Brett but just missed the finish. A race well sailed.
13:45:56 hrs Ex-Machina, Jamie Paisley’s 2004 Elliott 7.8 racing in Division 5, has crossed the finish line in Russell — the final boat to complete the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic. With her arrival, every yacht in the fleet has now made it home, marking the official close of another remarkable edition of New Zealand’s great race north.
1130 hrs Most of the fleet has now arrived in Russell, with only a handful still making their way in. Boats are tying up at the wharf to unload gear and crew before heading back out to anchor in the deeper water. Not Hooters, though. Racing in Division 7, the class for smaller catamarans, she’s lying just metres from the shore, giving her crew easy access. Sleeping aboard, however, is another story. Craig Haslip’s Sele Open 8.5 is built purely for racing, not comfort. The crew described the tight quarters as “functional at best” — made for speed, not lounging. That mix of boats and personalities is exactly what makes the PIC Coastal Classic so special.
Read their story here: https://www.coastalclassic.co.nz/post/hooters-and-the-friday-night-goal
1055 hrs Boats are beginning to tie up at the wharf, so the PIC Coastal Classic media team took the chance to wander down and see what’s happening. There they caught up with the youth crew from Kick (Mount Gary Rum Division 2) at the Russell wharf for a chat about their race north, what went well, what they learned, and what comes next. They are already planning their return for the 2026 PIC Coastal Classic, and their enthusiasm is infectious.
Read their story here: https://www.coastalclassic.co.nz/post/rising-tide-youth-crews-bring-fresh-energy-to-the-pic-coastal-classic
10:20 hrs The PIC Coastal Classic finish boat remains on watch after its early morning start, when Lucky (Doyle Sails NZ Division 1) crossed the line at 03:22.55 hrs. Twenty boats have finished since — and the count continues. It’s been a long but rewarding vigil.
🏁 10:11:09 hrs Frenzy, a 1995 Lambert 35 skippered by Morgan Browdie and racing in Mount Gay Rum Division 2, has reached the finish line in Russell.
🏁 10:06:54 hrs Nearly 20 years apart in age, yet arriving close together — Peter Schischka’s 1985 Young 11 Super Sport Force Eleven (Mount Gay Rum Division 2) reached the finish line within moments of Steven Bull’s 2024 Matera 40 multihull Aventadoor (NZMYC Division 6) at a time of 10:07:12.
🏁 09:43:33 hrs Illuminate, a 2025 Shaw 10.5 skippered by Scott Fyfe, turned heads with her sharp design and polished finish. A strong contender in Predict Wind Division 1B.
🏁 08:53:35 hrs Ultraviolet, the NZMYC Division 6 entry, Laurent Lhermitte Blade Runner finishes.
08:00 hrs Mid-morning (0800 hrs for us seafaring folk) and many of the fleet reports of being becalmed overnight. Reports are coming in of boats that spent the night drifting off Kawau Island and the Hen and Chicken Islands for periods of time. During the course of the race 29 boats retired. For the remaining fleet, the path remains north!
🏁 07:59:56 hrs Wild Card (Charlie Bravo Boat Co. Rally Division) finishes.
🏁 07:52:54 hrs Rehab (Predict Wind Division 1B), Mike Sanderson's 2012 Shaw 35 finishes.
🏁 07:50:14 hrs Kaizen (Predict Wind Division 1B) is the next to arrive. Her name, meaning “change for good,” reflects the spirit of progress that defines her crew. Simon Manning’s 2003 Farr 36 is a familiar sight on the RNZYS, SSANZ, and Gold Cup racing circuits — and now adds another strong Coastal Classic run to her record.
🏁 07:48:06 hrs Graham Catley's, 2018 Roger Hill 18.5 catamaran, CAT+ION (NZMYC Division 6) finishes.
🏁 07:47:37 hrs Chris Hornell's, 2009 Shaw 9, Blue Dude (Predict Wind Division 1B), finishes.
🏁 07:43:32 hrs Alegre, Vaughn Clarke's 2012 Soto 40 (Predict Wind Division 1B) finishes.
🏁 07:40:05 hrs Just minutes after Explore Racing (Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A), Clockwork (Predict Wind Division 1B), Steve Mair’s 2013 Shaw 12, crosses the finish line in Russell, wrapping up an exciting night on the water.
🏁 07:36:22 hrs Explore Racing (Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A), William Goodfellow’s 15.2-metre Elliott 50 SS, has crossed the finish line in Russell after spending more than 20 hours at sea. A consistent performer throughout the race, Explore Racing held strong among the leading pack in this year’s 2025 PIC Coastal Classic, rounding off an impressive effort from one of the fleet’s standout crews.
07:26 hrs Legacy (PIC Insurance Brokers Division 3) and Boogie Flash (Mount Gay Rum Division 2) are nearly bow-to-bow rounding Cape Brett. Who will edge ahead in this long-haul coastal duel?
🏁 07:25:14 hrs After more than 20 hours at sea, Sassinate, the 12-metre Melges 40 skippered by Mikayla Plaw, has crossed the line in Russell to finish sixth (correction) overall and first in Predict Wind Division 1B in the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic.
Setting out in the early group of the third staggered start yesterday morning, Sassinate charged across the Waitematā Harbour keeping up with Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A crews, Wired, Lucky, Callisto, and Mayhem, holding her own among some of the fleet’s fastest yachts.
It was a determined and confident performance from Mikayla and her crew, who pushed hard through the changing conditions up the Northland coast. Their result marks a standout achievement in this year’s race and a proud moment for one of the event’s rising teams.
🏁 07:20.39 hrs Wired, the Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A TP52 Bakewell / White owned and skippered by Rob Bassett and Brett Russell finishes.
🏁 07:19.40 hrs Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A entry, Another Duchess, a 1998 Davidson 55 skippered by Evan Davies crosses the line. Another Duchess has recently arrived in New Zealand from Australia just in time to compete in the PIC Coastal Classic.
07:05 hrs The 1985 Young 11 Super Sport, Force Eleven (Mount Gay Rum Division 2) skippered by Peter Schischka passes Cape Brett.
06:43 hrs Illuminate, the brand new (2025) Shaw 10.5 skippered by Scott Fyfe passes Cape Brett (Predict Wind Division 1B).
06:39 hrs Mike Sanderson's (CEO of Doyle Sails NZ), 2012 10.50-metre Shaw 35 Rehab (Predict Wind Division 1B) passes Cape Brett.
🏁 06:33.01 hrs Mayhem, the Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A 15.8-metre TP52 yacht skippered by Harry Dodson and Tony Bosnyak, has crossed the finish line just 19 minutes and 37 seconds behind Callisto. This iconic Kiwi journey from the Waitematā to Russell took Mayhem 20 hours and 33 minutes to complete. Congratulations to the Mayhem crew on a brilliant effort!
🏁 06:13.24 hrs Callisto (Doyle Sales NZ Division 1A ) crosses the finish line at 06:13.24, 20-hour, 13-minute, and 24-seconds after it left the Waitemata Harbour yesterday at 1000 hr. Congratulations Jim (James) Murray and crew!
06:07 hrs Multihull, Ultraviolet (NZMYC Division 6) passes Cape Brett. Laurent Lhermitte's 1087 13.10-metre Blade Runner the second multihull to do so in the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic.
06:00 hrs Wired (Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A ) has overtaken Predict Wind Division 1B Clockwork and is now sitting right on the heels of Predict Wind Division 1B Sassinate as they both make a dash for the finish line. An exciting duel in still the dark hours of the morning.
The Charlie Bravo Boat Co., Rally Division entry Wild Card has passed Cape Brett.
05:49 hrs Kaizen (Predict Wind Division 1B ) follows fellow division boats Alegre and Blue Dude round Cape Brett. Wild Card (Charlie Bravo Boat Co., Rally Division) has also rounded Cape Brett but we await confirmation of time.
05:46 hrs Predict Wind Division 1B entries Alegre and Blue Dude round Cape Brett at the same time. Line honours third and fourth positions in Predict Wind Division 1B will be close.
05:43 hrs CAT+ION (NZMYC Division 6, Multihull) rounds Cape Brett.
05:38 hrs Explore Racing (Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A) rounds Cape Brett.
05:35 hrs Wired (Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A) rounds Cape Brett. Another Duchess (Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A) seems to have round Cape Brett and time has now been confirmed as 0601 hrs.
05:33 hrs Clockwork (Predict Wind Division 1B) rounds Cape Brett.
05:23 hrs Sassinate (Predict Wind Division 1B) rounds Cape Brett.
05:10 hrs Mayhem (Doyle Sails NZ Division Division 1A) has followed Callisto (Doyle Sails NZ Division Division 1A) around the mark at Cape Brett.
🏁 03:22.55 hrs After a 17-hour, 22-minute, and 55-second (to be officially validated) race north, Lucky (Doyle Sails NZ Division Division 1A) has crossed the finish line in Russell to claim line honours in the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic. Congratulations to Bryon and crew. Young match-racing champion Will Mason hitched a ride at the last minute.
23:00 hrs As night settles over the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic fleet, the race remains wide open across many divisions, with over 110 boats now stretched along the Northland coast. Conditions have stayed light through the afternoon, but speeds are beginning to climb again as the leaders pick up more breeze off Whananaki and beyond.
No boats have yet reached Cape Brett or the finish line in Russell, but the frontrunners are well on their way.
LINE HONOURS
Lucky (Doyle Sails NZ Division Division 1A) continues to lead overall, now north of Helena Bay and making 8.3 kts after earlier achieving 11.4 knots; both speeds, a marked lift after several slower hours earlier in the day. Callisto (Doyle Sails NZ Division Division 1A) remains in second, just past Tututaka. Third is too close to call between Mayhem and a wildcard entry. The group lying just behind Mayhem (Doyle Sails NZ Division Division 1A) and Wild Card (Charlie Bravo Boat Co., Rally Division), includes Wired (Doyle Sails NZ Division Division 1A), Clockwork (Predict Wind Division 1B), Kaizen (Predict Wind Division 1B), Alegre (Predict Wind Division 1B), Blue Dude (Predict Wind Division 1B), CAT+ION (NZMYC Division 7), Rehab (Predict Wind Division 1B) and Sassinate (Predict Wind Division 1B). Those further offshore seem to have picked up extra wind, but have travelled further to find it.
CURRENT DIVISION LEADERS
Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A: 1st Lucky, 2nd Callisto
Predict Wind Division 1B: 1st Clockwork is possibly further ahead (further offshore to the east, searching for wind), 2nd and 3rd is too close to call between Kaizen (tracking close behind Clockwork), Alegre, Blue Dude, Rehab, and Sassinate
Mount Gary Rum Division 2: 1st Frenzy (east of Patatua), 2nd Force Eleven, 3rd Blackout; Kick is doing amazingly well
PIC Insurance Brokers Division 3: The fleet is spread out wide. Legacy is further out east and possibly slightly ahead, but the entire fleet is too close for a clear leader
Burnard International Division 4: Grunt Machine, Juniper and Wasted Away are all in inclose proximity and positions have changed in this group even as I type; this will be an interesting challenge to watch as we head into tomorrow
B&G Division 5: The fleet have all chosen to head offshore to catch stronger winds. Currently 1st T Rex, 2nd and 3rd too close to call
NZMYC Division 6: 1st CAT+ION (clear lead), 2nd Aventador, 3rd Ocean’s Tribute
Division 7: 1st Hooters, 2nd Attitude, 3rd Lucifer
Burnsco Division 8: 1st and only SV Thistle, sailing comfortably and keeping spirits high
Crews yet to reach Flat Rock include Driving Force, Fineline, Freedom, Itchy Feet, Pretty Boy Floyd, Second Nature, Superbad II, Superbird to Cruz, and Vodou Ho.
In addition, the following yachts are still south of Sail Rock: About Time, Akonga, Blue Dude, Boogie Flash, Catalyst, Dream Weaver, E-Nine, Espresso 8.5, Ilex, Illuminate, Indis, Love a Luck, Motorboat I, Motorboat III, Niksen, Nosaka, Pelagian 2, Questa, Real Deal, Red Baron, Skyesong, Smokey, SV Thistle, Tiki, Truxton, Ultraviolet, Wild Thing, Winslow, and Young Nick.
A number of boats have recently crossed the Sail Rock point. The night promises close racing across every division, with fresh breeze expected to bring more movement on the leaderboard before dawn.
2100 hrs The crew aboard Clockwork, a 2013 Shaw 12 racing in Predict Wind Division 1B, has settled in for the night sail. Live Sail Die’s Suellen Hurling is onboard with them, capturing life at sea as the race continues north.
20:00 hrs Nineteen candles, one cupcake, and a lifetime of ocean stories still unfolding. Leo celebrated his 19th birthday today aboard Wave (Predict Wind Division 2), Glen Jeffery’s 2005 Grand Soleil 50, racing “somewhere north of Kawau” in the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic.
It is not just Leo’s day to celebrate. Wave herself turns twenty this year. The Italian-built beauty was brought to New Zealand in 2019 after an incredible 19,000 nautical miles sailed by the Jeffery family of four. After years of ocean crossings, sunsets, and shared adventures, she continues to chase new horizons with the same spirit she left Italy with.
Happy birthday, Leo, and fair winds to Wave!
19:50 hrs As night falls, much of the fleet remains tightly grouped. Crews will stay alert through the hours ahead, scanning for nearby boats and watching closely for any shifts in breeze or weather that could change the course of the race.
19:40 hrs Suellen Hurling from Live Sail Die has shared more stunning shots from today’s start — and she says there are still more on the way. We can’t wait to see them!
19:30 hrs Since typing the last 1900 hrs course tracker update, Mayhem (Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A) has caught up to Wired (fellow Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A entry) and they are sitting neck-to-neck on the tracker.
Meanwhile, Legacy (PIC Insurance Brokers Division 3), Brad Marsh’s Young 11, has settled into the night watch. After competing in last year’s race, the crew notes that this evening’s calm and steady conditions are a marked contrast to the more demanding experience they faced twelve months ago.
19:11 hrs Shimmer (PIC Insurance Brokers Division 3) is settling down for a night's sail. The Townsen 34 sparkles in the evening light.
She is not travelling alone; currently the 10 boats in Burnard International Division 4 sit between Mangawhai Heads and Leigh.
19:05 hrs Dreamweaver, come to the dinner game with their infamous sundowners.
19:00 hrs Lucky (Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A) remains in the lead, though her speed has eased to 3.2 knots. The gap to Callisto (Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A) appears to have widened since the last tracker update, but Callisto, chasing a handicap victory, is holding steady at 4.8 knots.
Mayhem (Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A) , previously third, has slipped back to fourth, making 6.4 knots as conditions soften further north. Taking over third place is Wired (Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A) , also sailing at 6.4 knots and maintaining steady progress.
Sassinate (Predict Wind Division 1B) sits fifth but remains close enough to challenge the frontrunners if she can catch a fresh line of breeze.
18:40 hrs SV Thistle (Burnsco Division 8), the Gary Lambert ketch, is making up for the no extra sails rule by cooking salmon belinis, and prawns in freshly made filo. I'd like to know when they had time for fishing :) But this is racing at its culinary best!
17:20 hrs The crew aboard Alegre (Predict Wind Division 1B ) are putting on an acrobatic display as they work the spinnaker.
16:20 hrs Lucky (Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A) report they are have just passed Sail Rock in a light breeze although they are looking for stronger winds.
15:58 hrs Physical Flavours (2008 Ross 9.1, Mount Gay Rum Division 2), say a friendly hello to Hotdogger (1982 Ross 930, Burnard International Division 4) out on the race course. With an age gap of over 20 years between the two boats, it shows that the Ross-designed sail boats hold their game well.
15:30 hrs We are so blessed in New Zealand to have such avid sailors, whether that is offshore racing or simply cruising. Barrie, out on his boat for the day, found himself alongside the PIC Coastal Classic fleet and luckily for us took these photos of their progress. Not often we get photos of the fleet further north towards Whangarei Heads, so these are golden.
Expand the first photo, look a little closer, and you'll see two yachts peeping over the horizon.
15:00 hrs Location update. This is almost a copy of the big boats coming out from the start early this morning; placings and gaps might be a little different, but the same boats are here.
14:40 hrs A number of crews have reported sightings of dolphins and orcas along the way, a special reminder of the incredible marine life that shares these waters. Moments like these make the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic more than just a race north; it’s a journey through Aotearoa’s ocean backyard.
This shot is taken off Juniper's (Burnard International Division 4) starboard bow.
14:00 hrs Four hours into the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic and Bryon Ehrhart’s 27-metre Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A Lucky (2014 Juan Kouyoumdjian design, Doyle Sails NZ Division 1B) is out in front, but not by as much as they’d like. The lighter breeze is favouring fellow division crews, Jim Murray’s 2016 Pac52 Callisto and the TP52 Mayhem skippered by Harry Dodson and Tony Bosnyak.
As the wind softens, could the smaller, lighter boats start to close the gap? It’s shaping up to be an intriguing afternoon on the water.
13:30 hrs By now, most crews in the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic have already stopped for lunch. And aboard Vaughn Clark’s 2012 Soto 40 Alegre (Predict Wind Dvision 1B), they’re well into the rhythm of the race. With the breeze easing, they’re relaxing to the gentle sway of the water beneath them, soaking up the calm before the next push north.
12:45 hrs Catch up on some great shots of the race at the start; taken the very talented Suellen Hurling from Live Sail Die.
12:40 hrs SV Thistle (Burnsco Division 8) runs into another Gary Lambert on the race course. This one is the 1995 Lambert 35, Frenzy (Mount Gay Rum Division 2), owned by M. Findlay, J. Wilce, and M. Brodie.
12:30 hrs Life aboard SV Thistle (Burnsco Division 8) looks a little different from most race boats in the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic. The family crew aboard the Burnsco Division 8 Lambert 52 Ketch, skippered by Marcus Beagley, have settled into their rhythm. The onboard chef is cooking up lunch while the kids get stuck into their schoolwork. Just another day… on New Zealand’s great race north.
12:02 hrs Doyle Sails NZ Divsion 1A entry Lucky now leads the fleet.
11:55 hrs The best photos come from those who are competing in the race, at Ground Zero. On the water, feeling the action, gunning for the finish line. Last week, Mike Sanderson, CEO of Doyle Sails NZ, presented the Weather and Tactics Clinic in collaboration with Nick Olson from PredictWind, providing us with insights and advice from his many years of sailing. The team from Doyle Sails NZ have sent us images of the race.
11:00 hrs The team from Vixen Racing (Predict Wind Division 1B), the 2008 Verdier 40 recently purchased and recently by Sharon Ferris-Choat, takes time out to say a big "Hi" to the world.
10:00 hrs The start signal for monohull divisions Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A, Predict Wind Division 1B, and multihull divisions NZMYC Division 6, and 7 is heard. And they are off. Sprinting across the Harbour. First to reach us were the Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A fleet of Rob Bassett and Brett Russell's 2006 TP52 Blakewell/White, Wired, followed closely by James (Jim) Murray's 2016 Pac52, Callisto. Bryon Ehrhart's 2014 27-metre KJ (race favourite), Lucky, emerged at that moment from out on the other side of the course, they looked to be in third place. Harry Dodson and Tony Bosnyak's 2008 TP52, Mayhem, took a very close fourth. Then on our inside, Makayla Plaw's 2017 Melges 40, Sassinate (Predict Wind Division 1B), flew past with the crew working hard. I have yet to confirm, but it was great to see Blair Tuke at the helm, returning after his 2009 entry with Peter Burling.
09:55 hrs The warning signal for Divisions 1, 6, and 7 is heard.
09:45 hrs The start signal for Mount Gary Rum Division 2 and PIC Insurance Brokers Division 3 sounds. The Waitemata erupts in another bloom of colour. Faster this time, the boats are passing the PIC Coastal Classic media crew. These crews are working their boats hard, everyone wants to be in the lead.
Brendan Sands 1994 Elliot 1050, Kick, with its youth crews are right up there in the front of the pack. It's great to see many youth entered into this year's edition. A new generation of sailors are proving their worth, and their skill, on the course today.
09:40 hrs The warning signal for Divisions 2 and 3 is heard across the water. The boats ready themselves for a fast start. This fleet is bigger than the earlier start.
09:30 hrs The start signal for Burnard International Division 4, B&G Division 5, and Division 8 goes off. The boats visibly move forward, and within minutes the lead boat passes our PIC Coastal Classic media boat. Grunt Machine, a Ross 930, skippered by Grant McKilliam seem to be in the lead; and if they are it is only be metres, perhaps even centimetres. More boats seemingly float behind them.
The weather has come to the party. Unlike last year when it was too windy to put up spinnakers, this year's weather has allowed the full bloom of colour creating a spectacular view across the Waitemata Harbour.
09:25 hrs The warning signal for Divisions 4, 5, 8 and Solo is heard. A group of boats are visible at the start line, ready to set out at the sound of the 0930 hrs start signal.
09:00 hrs From the PIC Coastal Classic media boat, it was hard to see just how many spectators had gathered on North Head to watch the start — and what a turnout it was! Thank you to everyone who came out to cheer the fleet away. Your support means the world to us and to every crew racing north. Thanks to Greer for these photos.
08:45 hrs Most of the fleet were at the start line. The day would see a staggered three-start race. The first start at 0930 hrs, with a warning at 0925 hrs for Divisions 4, 5, 8 and Solo. The second start at 0945 hrs, with a warning at 0940 hrs, for Divisions 2 and 3. The third start at 1000 hrs, with a warning hrs, for Divisions 1, 6, and 7.
A breakdown of the divisions, is as follows:
Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A: Monohulls 0.9600 and above, but must be greater than 12.5 m LOA
Predict Wind Division 1B: Monohulls between 0.8700 and 0.9599; and additionally Monohull 0.9600 and above but must be no greater than 12.5 m LOA
Mount Gay Rum Division 2: Monohulls between 0.8200 and 0.8699
PIC Insurance Brokers Division 3: Monohulls 0.8199 and lower, but must also be greater than 10.5 m LOA
Burnard International Division 4: Monohulls 0.8199 and lower and no greater than 10.5 m LOA but excluding the following
B&G Division 5: Monohulls 0.7599 and lower, but must be no greater than 10.0 m LOA
NZMYC Division 6: Multihulls 10.66m LOA and over
NZMYC Division 7: Multihull 10.65m LOA and under
Burnsco Division 8: Monohulls No Extras
The race had eight DNS.
08:00 hrs As the PIC Coastal Classic media team came together, fleet crews were out on the docks at Westhaven Marina, grabbing last-minute items, getting boats ready, and running through plans made, and re-made. The start would be important but not the final tell.
06:00 hrs Auckland woke up to a cloudy, moody day. Weather forecasts suggested the dark clouds would shift, making way for sun, clouds, and winds of about 8 knots.
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