Last week, we reported that 48 teams had entered the 2025 race. The inaugural 2023 edition saw 37 boats on the start line, followed by an addition of 20 yachts to 57 in 2024. While we anticipated steady numbers, we’re thrilled for the organisers to see a record-breaking 76 (with entries closing at 5pm tonight) competitors now confirmed.
Now, it’s up to the weather to cooperate. Saturday’s forecast predicts light 10-knot northeasterlies, shifting 90 degrees later in the day to come from the northwest. A few showers are expected, but with sailing, getting wet comes with the territory. Beyond the harbour, swell heights are expected to reach 1 metre or more, adding an extra challenge for competitors.
The race emphasises club team participation, with crews encouraged to form teams of five boats each. In last week’s feature on the PIC Harbour Classic, we highlighted entries from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS), Richmond Yacht Club (RYC), New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club (NZMYC), and the Shorthanded Sailing Association of New Zealand (SSANZ).
RNZYS fleet expands with more fierce contenders
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS), New Zealand’s oldest yacht club, is home to the America’s Cup and boasts over 3,200 members. It runs an extensive racing calendar, including the Wednesday Night Series, Women’s Series, Match Racing Championships, and Cruising Rallies. For those wanting to learn to sail or become more adept at sailing, the RNZYS offers its Learn to Sail Programme courses for beginners through to racing level, with hands-on keelboat training. Grant Dalton has described RNZYS’s Youth Training Programme, which provides elite coaching for 15 to 23 year olds as “the best in the world”.
When we wrote last week’s article, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) had already made a strong statement at this year’s PIC Harbour Classic, having entered at least 10 boats across two teams. Joining the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) contingent this year are five more formidable entries, each bringing its own competitive pedigree to the PIC Harbour Classic.
Among them is Enigma, a 1998 Magic 25 helmed by Chris Hirst, whose wife, Anne Hirst, will be competing against him aboard Team Sex, another Magic 25. Their friendly rivalry made headlines at the 2025 Bay of Islands Sailing Week, where Anne’s crew edged out Chris with a Line Honours victory, earning them a crucial series point. Anne, a rising star in competitive sailing, was also nominated for Yachting New Zealand’s SheSails NZ Top Female Helm trophy.
Adding to the Magic 25 lineup is Magic Dragon, a 1997 model skippered by Brent Gribble, fresh off a stellar Bay of Islands Sailing Week performance, where it claimed first overall in the Magic 25 Handicap and second in EHC Handicap.
The Young 88 class is also well represented, with Skitzo, a 1982 model led by Aimee McMaster, and War Machine, a 1987 Young 88 skippered by Mike Leyland. War Machine embodies the strength of syndicated ownership, balancing competitive racing (she competed earlier this year in the Bay of Islands Sailing Week) and cruising, and remains a familiar sight at regattas flying the RNZYS burgee.
With these additions, the RNZYS fleet is looking stronger than ever, setting the stage for a thrilling PIC Harbour Classic.
Richmond Yacht Club expands its fleet with seasoned contenders
Located on the breakwater at Westhaven Marina, Richmond Yacht Club (RYC) sits at the very heart of Auckland’s vibrant sailing scene. With a diverse programme catering to all levels, RYC offers everything from competitive round-the-buoys racing to team and solo sailing, as well as social events, overnight cruises, and passage sailing adventures. The club is home to the popular Friday Night Special, a fun and accessible keelboat racing series on the Waitematā Harbour. Designed for both beginners and seasoned sailors, it provides a relaxed, supportive environment to experience competitive sailing firsthand.
Adding to its already strong lineup, Richmond Yacht Club (RYC) welcomes six more competitive entries (including two Ross and three Young designs) to the PIC Harbour Classic (now with thirteen entries), each with a rich history of racing and offshore adventures.
Among the new additions is Cool Change, a 1995 Ross 850 skippered by Richard Limbrick. A veteran of the Round North Island Race (twice), RYC Short-handed Series (five times), Route 66 (three times), and Three Kings Islands Race, Cool Change is one of the most seasoned yachts in the RYC fleet. Another Ross design joining the fleet is Scarlet Fever, a 1982 Ross 930, now under new ownership after 30 years with a single skipper. A well-known racer on the Waitematā, Scarlet Fever recently won Line Honours in the third division of the Keelboat Harbour Race and is expected to make a strong showing.
The Young 11 class is well represented with Kaimai Flyer, skippered by Douglas Campbell, and Sudden Impulse, helmed by Mark Olliffe. Both boats bring a balance of offshore capability and strong inshore racing performance, making them contenders in the fleet. Wildwood, a 1985 Young 88, returns to the Hauraki Gulf after nearly two decades in Lyttelton. One of the earliest Young 88s, its distinct red bow ensures it stands out both on and off the racecourse. (There are six Young 88 yachts entered into the 2025 PIC Harbour Classic.)
Another standout is Oro Rossa, a 2016 J112 E, built in France and based at Westhaven Marina for the past five years. Primarily a cruiser, Oro Rossa has proven itself in competitive circuits like the SSANZ Triple Series and RYC Winter Series.
With this impressive mix of veteran offshore racers and competitive club boats, RYC is gearing up for a hard-fought battle in this year’s PIC Harbour Classic.
New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club expands its fleet with innovative multihulls
Originally founded in 1972 as the Auckland Multihull Sailing Association, the NZMYC club continues to push boundaries, delivering some of the fastest, most exciting racing on the Waitematā. NZMYC members benefit from a wealth of knowledge, including contributions from both amateur and professional designers and skilled boat builders. Based at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron on the Westhaven breakwater, the club hosts monthly meetings; these gatherings often feature guest speakers, videos, and engaging discussions on multihull sailing.
Joining the already strong NZMYC contingent at this year’s PIC Harbour Classic are two unique and well-proven multihulls, each bringing a mix of performance and versatility to the racecourse.
Leading the charge is Mysterex, a 2013 Delaveau 7.6 Trimaran skippered by Greg Walker. This lightweight, high-performance trimaran is designed for speed, agility, and competitive sailing, making it a worthy addition to the fleet.
Also joining the lineup is Pulse XTC, a 2001 TC Design 10m catamaran, designed and built by Tim Clissold. A true cruiser-racer hybrid, Pulse has logged over 22,000 nautical miles since launching. Built with a spreader-less, boomless rig and central whipstaff steering, Pulse is an innovative take on multihull design. Below deck, she offers berths for six, a fully equipped galley, and functional navigation and head areas. Above, her organic hull and beam integration creates a well-protected circular cockpit, perfect for both racing and socialising. While Pulse XTC may not be the fastest in the fleet, her blend of performance and comfort makes her an exciting and capable competitor in this year’s event.
Shorthanded Sailing increases their numbers
The Shorthanded Sailing Association of New Zealand (SSANZ) is dedicated to advancing and promoting short-handed sailing across the country. The club aims to bring together sailors passionate about this demanding discipline, fostering the exchange of techniques and encouraging wider acceptance within the yachting community and general public. SSANZ also plays a key role in organising and staging competitive short-handed races in New Zealand waters.
Last week, we reported that only one SSANZ entry had been confirmed for the PIC Harbour Classic—Wasted Away, a well-campaigned Ross 930.
Two more SSANZ entries join the PIC Harbour Classic fleet. Rat Catcher, a 1970 Pied Piper skippered by Gavin Woodward, brings a determined crew known for their fearless racing. Adding to the fleet of Young 88s entered into the race is Sister Moonshine, a 1983 Young 88 helmed by David Stanton, who adds further depth to the growing short-handed contingent.
Beyond central Auckland
Several North Auckland and East Auckland clubs didn’t make last week’s coverage due to space constraints, but they’re now ready to step into the spotlight and make their presence felt in the PIC Harbour Classic.
Royal Akarana Yacht Club (RAYC)
Founded in 1895, Royal Akarana Yacht Club (RAYC) stands as one of New Zealand’s most accomplished yachting institutions, excelling in both keelboat and dinghy sailing. Renowned as the home of blue water sailing, the club has fostered world-class sailors through its successful Sailing Academy, which caters to both children and adults.
RAYC supports a diverse range of sailing classes, including Optimists, RS Feva, 12ft and 18ft Skiffs, M-Class, 49ers, and Flying Fifteens, while its keelboat division focuses on passage, coastal, and offshore racing and cruising. RAYC hosted the 2019 Hyundai 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 World Championships.
The RAYC is bringing five strong contenders to the PIC Harbour Classic, including V5, which will also fly the RNZYS flag. But the real standout this year? The Flying Fifteen fleet—a trio of 6-metre keelboats designed for close, tactical racing.
If you’re not familiar with Flying Fifteens, they’re the perfect mix of dinghy agility and keelboat stability. Designed by Uffa Fox, they’ve been a staple of competitive racing for decades, excelling in offshore, estuary, and inland courses. And this year’s RAYC lineup is packed with talent.
Fflying Cloud, helmed by Sarah Reynolds, and Ffortune, sailed by Jenny Price, have already proven their mettle, both performing strongly in the New Zealand Flying Fifteen National Championships at Lake Wanaka. But the biggest name in the fleet is The GodFfather, skippered by Sally Garrett.
Sally has made history in the class, winning the 2024 National Championship alongside crew Neil Easton, making her the first female helm to take the title in New Zealand. In a thrilling finish, they edged out four-time national champions Murray Gilbert and Jon Burgess by just one point. Just as impressive? Ffortune, sailed by Jenny Price and Alana Pooley, secured third place, marking the first-ever all-female crew to reach the top three at Nationals.
Beyond the Flying Fifteens, Titus Canby, a 1971 8.4-metre Farr, is another standout. This was Bruce Farr’s first keelboat design, a two-time New Zealand Half Ton Champion, and a true piece of sailing history.
With such a strong lineup, RAYC’s fleet is set to make waves at this year’s PIC Harbour Classic.
Bucklands Beach Yacht Club brings spirit and humour to the PIC Harbour Classic
Located in Half Moon Bay, one of Auckland’s prime marine suburbs, Bucklands Beach Yacht Club (BBYC) has long been a hub for both young sailors and seasoned yachties. This year, the club is fielding four entries in the PIC Harbour Classic, and while they may not be the biggest contingent, they are certainly bringing plenty of enthusiasm and personality to the race.
Leading the charge is Boogie Flash, a 1996 Mumm 36 which is a Farr-designed 10.91-metre (35.8 ft) sailboat class (with about 100 boats built by Bénéteau, Carroll Marine, Cookson Boats and Robertson & Caine) helmed by Vaughan Hunt. A well-established racer, this sleek 10.9-metre yacht is ready to take on the Classic’s competitive fleet.
Then there’s Espresso 8.5, a 1984 Great Barrier Express (a small catamaran designed by Malcolm Tennant) skippered by Justin Lee. The crew is refreshingly honest about their approach to racing:
“Arguably, we’re better at drinking coffee and talking about sailing than actually sailing. But that won’t stop us from having a go—provided the wind is between 9 and 15 knots, gusts stay below 22, cloud coverage is decent, temperatures hold between 17 and 23, the course isn’t windward/leeward… and our thermos isn’t empty.”
Adding to the mix is Kristo, a 2008 Beneteau 51, skippered by Deb Smith. While the crew admits they could break records, they’ve got different priorities:
“Kristo is the fastest yacht heading north this year—but we’re too lazy to hoist the kite… actually, we don’t even have one! So instead, we’ll set a record for rum, beer, and red wine consumed.”
Rounding out BBYC’s fleet is Perfect Alibi, a 1986 Young 88 helmed by Malcolm Scott, bringing a classic racer-cruiser to the mix.
With a blend of serious racers and good-humoured crews, BBYC is sure to add some colour—and possibly a few empty rum bottles—to this year’s PIC Harbour Classic.
Milford Cruising Club brings competitive spirit and community to the PIC Harbour Classic
Tucked away on the Wairau Estuary on Auckland’s North Shore, Milford Cruising Club (MCC) is a lively, family-friendly community that blends competitive sailing with a great social scene. Known for its active keelboat racing programme, MCC offers everything from round-the-buoys racing to relaxed weekend cruising races, making it a favourite among both seasoned sailors and newcomers.
This year, MCC is bringing eight mostly-1980s built boats to the PIC Harbour Classic, adding even more depth to the fleet.
Into the mix are three Pied Pipers. A Pied Piper is a small, 22-foot plywood sailboat designed by Des Townson, popular in New Zealand, known for its high-performance racing capabilities and reputation for a fun, social sailing culture among young sailors; essentially a “Pied Piper” class yacht that is often considered a rite of passage for young Kiwi sailors due to its accessible nature and competitive racing scene. The first will be raced by Richard Barnett is Arihia, a classic 1975 Pied Piper, the second Panic Mouse, will be in the thick of the action with Brad Brown calling the shots, and the third, Danger Mouse, is set to make an impact with Colin Anderson steering.
Entered in the competition are two of the popular Alan Wright designed 8.4-metre Maruauder yachts: the 1985 Blue Sapphire, with Melanie Adriaansen at the helm, and the 1986 Pinball Wizard, led by David Wood.
Rounding out the MCC squad is Best Intentions, a 1983 Young 88 skippered by Phil Evans, which is taking on the course with a modified keel and bulb, and ready to mix it up with the competition is Regan Hall, skippering Muritai, a 1995 Townson 10.5, bringing classic New Zealand design to the fleet.
With a strong lineup, experienced sailors, and a vibrant club culture, MCC is bringing plenty of energy and camaraderie to this year’s PIC Harbour Classic. Whether they’re racing for the podium or just out there to enjoy the thrill of the event, one thing is certain—the MCC crew will make their presence felt on the water.
Weiti Boating Club brings a small but mighty fleet to the PIC Harbour Classic
Tucked away up the Weiti River in Arkles Bay, Weiti Boating Club (WBC) is one of the Hauraki Gulf’s best-kept secrets. What started in 1968 with just a caravan and a shed has grown into a thriving boating community, complete with 167 moorings, a hardstand, maintenance sheds, and a picturesque clubhouse overlooking the river. From here, members are just a short row to their yachts and only minutes away from one of the world’s finest sailing playgrounds—the Hauraki Gulf.
WBC has a strong sailing programme, offering everything from single- and double-handed racing to the club’s renowned Barrier Race in summer and fully-crewed winter series.
This year, WBC is bringing a small but competitive fleet to the PIC Harbour Classic, with three entries ready to take on the challenge.
Among them is Exodus, a 10-metre Ron Given Sports yacht, skippered by Ed Crook. Expect to see Exodus making waves, as she’s an experienced racer with regular Wednesday night racing and distance events out of Auckland.
Then there’s Strider, a 1972 Sandy Jones 28 skippered by Amanda Drumm. This boat has a storied racing history, previously owned and raced successfully for WBC by Mike Long and later helmed by Lindsay Wright in New Plymouth. In 2010, Carl Harmer skippered Strider in the Fitzroy Yachts Solo Tasman Challenge, completing the grueling race in just over 11 days.
Rounding out the fleet is Hijinx, a 2015 Bakewell-White Z39, skippered by Mark Halliday. This 12-metre racer is a sleek, modern yacht designed for speed and precision, and will be a strong contender in this year’s race.
With a mix of offshore pedigree, high-performance design, and experienced crews, Weiti Boating Club may be small in numbers, but they’ll be bringing big energy to the PIC Harbour Classic.
Gulf Harbour Yacht Club’s lone entry in the PIC Harbour Classic
At Gulf Harbour Yacht Club (GHYC), it’s all about good company, great food, and plenty of boating talk—about anything that floats! Located north of Auckland in Whangaparaoa, GHYC is a social club with a passion for sailing.
GHYC are also hosting the up-coming and not-to-be-missed Evolution Sails NZ Women on Water Weekend which is coming up in two weekends time (7th to 9th of March 7.)
This year, GHYC has just one entry in the PIC Harbour Classic—C McQuire, a 1992 Lidgard 35 with a cedar core, skippered by Wayne Mills. Formerly known as Ailey’s Comet, the yacht underwent a major refit in 2018, including a mast overhaul, upgraded rigging, new navigation gear, and keel maintenance. Now race-ready, C McQuire regularly competes with GHYC and Weiti Boating Club.
Hikurere joins the PIC Harbour Classic after a perfect regatta run
A recent addition to the PIC Harbour Classic lineup is Hikurere, fresh from competing in the Pacific Class of the 2025 NZ Millennium Cup Superyacht Regatta. In a commanding performance, Hikurere dominated the final race, not only crossing the finish line first on corrected time but also securing a flawless regatta record—four wins from four races.
This stunning 23-metre sloop, designed by Alan Warwick and built by TCCY in Taiwan, is as elegant as she is competitive. With a winning streak behind her, Hikurere is one to watch as she takes on the PIC Harbour Classic fleet.
A long journey to the PIC Harbour Classic
Bienvenue à Water Music
One of the most remarkable entries in this year’s PIC Harbour Classic has come from as far as Réunion Island, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean. While its name might suggest a location in France, Réunion is actually part of the Mascarene Islands, situated 679km east of Madagascar and 175km southwest of Mauritius. Known for its rich maritime heritage, the island is home to the Base Nautique des Mascareignes, a sailing school based in Le Port, in the island’s northwest corner.
Representing the club in the Classic is Water Music, a 2010 16-metre Bruce Roberts Spray Marsaudon Mrs B catamaran, skippered by Morgan Lagravière. This long-distance entry adds an exciting international dimension to the race, showcasing the global appeal of the PIC Harbour Classic.
For more on Water Music’s journey, visit: footnotesfromwatermusic.wordpress.com.
A family affair: Denim joins the PIC Harbour Classic
Travelling the second-longest distance to compete in this year’s PIC Harbour Classic is Denim, an Elliott 11.5 Tourer, skippered by Robert Cross. Unlike many of the high-performance entries, Denim is a pure cruising boat, designed for comfort rather than speed.
Equipped with a Dacron mainsail and a self-tacking headsail, Denim keeps things simple—there are no extra sails to manage, and only one winch to handle the rig. The crew? Robert’s children, making this a true family day out on the water. Built to MNZ Survey standards, the smallest of the Elliott Tourer series is heavy, stable, and designed for relaxed sailing rather than racing glory.
While Denim may not be among the fastest boats in the fleet, it embodies the spirit of adventure and participation—proving that the PIC Harbour Classic is just as much about enjoying the journey as it is about the competition.
