Starmaker takes monohull handicap win; Cat+Ion secures multihull line honours
Updated: Oct 29, 2025
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.
Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A entry 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 Burnard International 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 (Doyle Sails Division 1A), 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 (Doyle Sails NZ Division 1A)
Duke of Marlborough Cup for the first boat to finish
First monohull to finish
First overseas boat to finish
CAT+ION (NZMYC Division 6)
First multihull to finish
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 (Predict Wind Division 1B).
Handicap awards
First PHRF (all monohull divisions): Starmaker (Burnard International Division 4)
First IRC: Savante (Mount Gay Rum Division 2)
First multihull: Aventador (NZMYC Division 6)
First classic: Innismara (Mount Gay Rum Division 2)
Two-handed SSANZ trophy:
Winner, first on handicap: Starmaker (Burnard International Division 4)
Second on handicap: Lavanti (Burnard International Division 4)
Third in handcap: Hotdogger (Burnard International Division 4)
The Young 88 Trophy
First with line honours: Paddy Wagon (B&G Division 5)
Russell Trophy (to first Bay of Islands entry on handicap)
First on handicap: Young Mischief (B&G Division 5)
Cockleshell Trophy (to smallest boat to finish)
The 7.8-metre ExMachina (B&G Division 5) which crossed the line just before the 2pm race cutoff
Club Team (first club on handicap, based on first three scores)
RNZYS: First Priority (PIC Insurance Brokers Division 3), Juniper (Burnard International Division 4), Savante (Mount Gay Rum Division 2)
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
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
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