Starmaker takes monohull handicap win; Cat+Ion secures multihull line honours

Russell came alive last evening (Saturday, 25 October) as crews, family, and supporters packed into the big PIC Coastal Classic marquee for the 2025 prizegiving.

It was clear from the start that this year’s race had tested every sailor’s patience. The stories were familiar after one of the calmest races in recent memory: boats drifting off Kawau, glassy seas off Whangārei, and the lucky few who caught a faint breeze at Cape Brett. It was a true PIC Coastal Classic, a race that rewards patience, persistence, and good humour as much as speed.

From the stage, Commodore Adrian Percival of the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club thanked every skipper and crew for keeping the 43-year tradition alive. The 119-nautical-mile journey from Devonport to Russell began on Friday 24 October under bright spring skies, but the light winds turned it into a test of concentration rather than strength.

Bryon Ehrhart’s Lucky and her crew read the conditions perfectly, crossing the line early the next morning at 03:22:55 after 17 hours, 22 minutes, and 55 seconds to claim line honours. Lucky collected the Duke of Marlborough Cup for overall line honours and the trophy for first overseas entry. 

Yet it was Starmaker, Matt Krogstad's Farr 1020 from Division 4 that won the overall PHRF handicap across all monohull divisions, arriving across the finish line on Sunday at 11:48:50 having sailed for 26 hours 18-and-a-half minutes.

We caught up with our other Chicagoan skipper, Jim (James) Murray of Callisto, after the awards. He spoke warmly about taking part in this year’s event. While his team did not collect a trophy, he told us the real reward was being part of the PIC Coastal Classic and contributing to New Zealand’s sailing legacy.

As the evening wound down and plans for next year began to form over the sound of music and conversation, one thing was certain: the PIC Coastal Classic is more than a race. It is a tradition, a community, and a journey that keeps the spirit of sailing alive.

Congratulations to our winners

Cup and trophy winners

Lucky

Duke of Marlborough Cup for the first boat to finish

First monohull to finish

First overseas boat to finish

Lucky crew took line honours, first overseas boat to finish, and the coveted Duke of Marlborough cup

CAT+ION

First multihull to finish

CAT+ION

Te Hau Ai Wairaka Trophy

Traditionally awarded to an all-women crew, this year it recognised the first woman skipper to cross the line on handicap: Justine Bellingham, Fez.

Justine Bellingham, co-skipper of Fez, took the Te Hau Ai Wairaka Trophy away after arriving first female skipper on handicap.

Handicap awards

• First PHRF (all monohull divisions): Starmaker

• First IRC: Savante

• First multihull: Aventador

• First classic: Innismara

Innismara crew won the handicap award for the classic class.

Two-handed SSANZ trophy:

• Winner, first on handicap: Starmaker

• Second on handicap: Lavanti

• Third in handcap: Hotdogger

The Young 88 Trophy

• First with line honours: Paddy Wagon

Russell Trophy (to first Bay of Islands entry on handicap)

• First on handicap: Young Mischief

Cockleshell Trophy (to smallest boat to finish)

• The 7.8-metre ExMachina which crossed the line just before the 2pm race cutoff

Club Team (first club on handicap, based on first three scores)

• RNZYS: First Priority, Juniper, Savante

The teams that contributed to the RNZYS club win.

DIVISION RESULTS

Doyles Sails Division 1A

• First on handicap: Another Duchess

• First on line honours: Lucky

• Second on handicap: Explore Racing

• Third on handicap: Mayhem

Predict Wind Division 1B

• First on handicap: Blue Dude

• First on line honours: Sassinate

• Second on handicap: Kaizen

• Third on handicap: Rehab

Mount Gay Rum Division 2

• First on handicap: Niksen

• First on line honours: Force Eleven

• Second on handicap: Force Eleven

• Third on handicap: Blackout

PIC Insurance Brokers Division 3

• First on handicap: Legacy

• First on line honours: Legacy

• Second on handicap: First Priority

• Third on handicap: C’est La Vie

Burnard International Division 4

• First on handicap: Starmaker

• First on line honours: Wasted Away

• Second on handicap: Wasted Away

• Third on handicap: Lavanti

B&G Division 5

• First on handicap: Paddy Wagon

• First on line honours: T-Rex

• Second on handicap: Young Mischief

• Third on handicap: T-Rex

NZMYC Division 6 (bigger, heavier multihulls)

• First on handicap: Aventador

• First on line honours: Cat+Ion

• Second on handicap: Cat+Ion

• Third on handicap: Ultraviolet

The crew from Aventador win the NZMYC multihull Division 6 award, first on handicap.

Division 7 (smaller, lighter multihulls)

• First on handicap: Hooters

• First on line honours: Hooters

• Second on handicap: Lucifer

• Third on handicap: Attitude

Burnsco Division 8 (no extras)

• SV Thistle

Open 8.5

• First on line honours: Hooters

Charlie Bravo Co. Rally Division

First on line honours: Wild Card