The 2025 edition introduces a sharpened 14-nautical-mile sprint course, designed to test both strategy and speed. But this event is more than just a race—it’s a full-blown sailing festival. A vibrant social programme is in place, drawing in both competitors and spectators alike, with the ultimate goal of securing international prestige. Auckland’s unparalleled sailing conditions and deep maritime culture provide fertile ground for this regatta to flourish, yet its success hinges on more than just favourable winds. Strong marketing, solid sponsorships, and a growing pool of global competitors are the real engines that will drive the Classic to international acclaim.
But the waters aren’t without their challenges. The PIC Harbour Classic faces stiff competition, particularly as it shares a weekend with Australia’s Sydney Harbour Regatta—one of the biggest fixtures in the Southern Hemisphere. This year’s race is a defining test of its ability to establish itself as an unmissable event for sailors far and wide.
Who’s in the race?
As of now, 48 boats have thrown their hats in the ring across both Division and PHF Handicap categories. While the numbers are promising, they raise an intriguing question: will participation continue to grow? The 2023 debut saw 37 boats take to the water, and 2024 saw a slight bump to 57. However, a wider trend has emerged—yacht racing across the board has been experiencing lower-than-expected entry numbers over the past year.
With the clock ticking down, it remains to be seen how the final fleet will shape up, but one thing is certain: the Battle of the Clubs is on. Teams of five boats will be competing for “ultimate bragging rights,” adding a layer of fierce club rivalry to the mix.
For now, all eyes are on the heart of Auckland, where many of this year’s entries are based. Whether the PIC Harbour Classic can continue its steady rise or faces an uphill battle remains to be seen—but one thing is certain: the stakes have never been higher, and the race is on.
RNZYS brings strength in numbers
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) is making a formidable statement at this year’s PIC Harbour Classic, fielding a fleet of at least 10 entries across two teams. With a mix of high-performance racers, seasoned offshore veterans, and competitive one-designs, the RNZYS contingent is primed to leave its mark on the event.
The contenders
Aeolian – A 2000 Wright 12m skippered by Melissa Logan. Named after the Greek word for ‘of the wind,’ Aeolian is a testament to Logan’s sailing prowess. A nominee for the Bay of Islands Sailing Week (BOISW) SheSails NZ Trophy, she continues to champion women’s competitive sailing.
Cliff Hanger – A 1989 7.6-metre Magic 25, skippered by Cliff Gordon. A thrilling high-speed machine with three crew members on trapezes and a helmsperson, Cliff Hanger secured a place in the BOISW Open Division Sports Boats.
Follow – A 2012 Beneteau Oceanis 48 (14.6m) skippered by Richard Cosmann. Designed for performance cruising, Follow brings a balance of speed and comfort to the race.
High 5 – This 14.33m Cookson 47, skippered by Berhard, is expected to be a strong contender in its division.
Kotuku – A 2017 Elan E4 (10.4m) under the command of Tim Gorton, blending modern performance with offshore capability.
Krakatoa II – A 2006 Pogo 40 (12m) built in France to the Class 40 rule, Krakatoa II is water-ballasted and optimised for short-handed ocean racing. Skippered by Matt Flynn, it represents the evolution of cost-effective offshore racing.
Mayhem – A 2008 TP52 (15.8m) skippered by Harry Dodson. The 2023 BOISW A Division winner, Mayhem is one of the most formidable yachts in the fleet and a favourite for top honours.
Pretty Woman – A 1981 Elliott 1050, skippered by Brad Aspin. This yacht has undergone significant modifications, including an upgraded T keel, fin rudder, and prod design, ensuring it’s race-ready.
Rum Bucket – A More 55 helmed by Quintin Fowler. Built in Croatia in 2018, this yacht has an incredible journey behind it, having raced across the Atlantic and through the Panama Canal before arriving in New Zealand in 2021.
Team Sex – A 7.6-metre Magic 25 skippered by Anne Hirst. Hirst and her crew finished an impressive third in the BOISW Magic 25 division, a testament to their competitive skill in this high-stakes fleet.
War Machine – A 1987 Young 88 skippered by Leyland. This yacht secured third place in Line Honours for the Open Division Young 88 at the 2025 BOISW, reinforcing the strength of its class and its syndicated ownership model.
Sham Pain – A 2003 MG Whitbread skippered by John Kensington, representing RNZYS, NZMYC, and RYC. Sham Pain secured second place in Line Honours for the 2025 BOISW Island Racing Division B, proving its offshore credentials.
V5 – A 2001 Alan Andrews TP52 (15.9m) skippered by Brian Petersen. Originally designed for the Transpac Race, V5 has undergone modifications for a canting keel. It took overall line honours in the 2022 Coastal Classic and remains a major force in RNZYS’s competitive lineup.
A Club Poised for Dominance
With this impressive lineup, RNZYS is set to be a powerhouse in the PIC Harbour Classic. The mix of high-performance racers, offshore veterans, and experienced crews ensures the club’s presence will be felt throughout the event.
Richmond Yacht Club: A force to be reckoned with
Nestled near the heart of Auckland’s Westhaven Marina, Richmond Yacht Club (RYC) has a proud history of producing competitive and spirited sailors. This year, the club fields a fleet of five formidable entries, each bringing a unique legacy and skill set to the PIC Harbour Classic.
About Time – Skippered by Mike Matthews, this sleek 11.4-metre 2017 Hanse 385 embodies modern cruising performance with an edge of racing prowess.
Apparition – A seasoned 1985 Ross 35, helmed by Marcel Vroege, Apparition is a testament to timeless yacht design and competitive resilience.
Chain Reaction – At 10.5 metres, the Elliott 1050, skippered by Graeme Lucas, is fresh from competing at the Bay of Islands Sailing Week, ready to make waves in the Classic.
Flashwave – A compact yet potent contender, Andrew Macdonald’s 1987 10.2-metre Farr 1020, proves that size is no limitation when skill and determination come into play.
Perchanse – The powerhouse of the Richmond fleet, David Hennessy’s 2007 Hanse 430e, measuring 13.10 metres, brings both elegance and muscle to the competition.
Adding to RYC’s strength is Scarlet Fever, a 1982 Ross 930 under the command of Simon Devoy. A familiar sight on the Waitematā, this well-raced yacht entered a new era in 2022 after three decades with its previous owner. Scarlet Fever wasted no time in proving its pedigree, seizing Line Honours in Division 3 of the 2025 Keelboat Harbour Classic on Auckland Anniversary Day.
With a blend of seasoned veterans and fresh challengers, Richmond Yacht Club’s presence in the PIC Harbour Classic is one to watch. Can they claim bragging rights this year? The race will tell the tale.
New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club: A legacy of speed and innovation
From its base at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron on the Westhaven breakwater, the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club (NZMYC) has long been at the forefront of high-performance sailing. Originally founded in 1972 as the Auckland Multihull Sailing Association, the club continues to push boundaries, delivering some of the fastest, most exciting racing on the Waitematā.
This year, NZMYC entries are as diverse as they are competitive, each boat a testament to the club’s passion for speed and innovation.
Citrus Tart, a 14-metre Schionning Wilderness launched in 2010, sees skipper Miles Crellin take on the Classic, bringing a mix of offshore pedigree and racecourse agility.
Then there’s the powerhouse—Frank Racing, a 10-metre GC32 skippered by Simon Hull. Few boats command attention like Frank Racing, which stamped its authority on the 2019 PIC Coastal Classic, reinforcing its dominance in the multihull division. In the second edition of the PIC Harbour Classic, it was Frank Racing that delivered a masterclass in speed, completing the course in under an hour and proving that when conditions align, multihulls set the benchmark.
Adding to the lineup is Freedom, a 1977 8.5-metre GBE helmed by Coen Ursem. A classic design that continues to defy time, Freedom is proof that well-sailed multihulls remain a force to be reckoned with.
Hooters, an Open 8.5 built in 2011, sees Craig Haslip at the helm. Haslip’s pedigree speaks for itself—having steered Babe to third handicap honours in the 2025 BOISW Open Division Young 88, he brings a wealth of tactical skill to this fleet.
Another Open 8.5 from 2011, Lucifer, lines up under the command of Ed Ayre. With its sleek, lightweight build, Lucifer is a potent competitor, ready to make its mark.
Andrew Turnbull takes charge of Selah, a 2008 11.7-metre Spirited 380 multihull known for its balance of speed and handling—a boat that could well thrive in the often-unpredictable conditions of the Waitematā.
And then, there’s Sham Pain, representing NZMYC, RNZYS, and RYC in a true display of collaborative racing spirit, Sham Pain has already proven its credentials, securing second-line honours in the BOISW’s Island Racing Division B.
With a history of thrilling performances, NZMYC’s fleet promises to once again redefine what’s possible in the PIC Harbour Classic. These are boats built for speed, crews built for competition, and a race built for the bold. The question is—who will seize the moment?
A lone warrior: SSANZ’s solo challenger
In a fleet of teams and crews, some races are fought alone. Representing the Shorthanded Sailing Association of New Zealand (SSANZ) in this year’s PIC Harbour Classic is a single, determined entry—a boat that embodies the essence of resilience, skill, and shorthanded grit.
Wasted Away, a 1992 Ross 930, takes on the challenge under the command of Luke Judge. A design well-known for its balance of performance and agility, the Ross 930 is a favourite among those who relish the thrill of shorthanded racing. But in a fleet dominated by fully crewed boats, Judge faces an uphill battle—every manoeuvre, every sail change, every tactical decision will rest solely in his hands.
SSANZ sailors are a different breed. They don’t rely on numbers; they rely on instincts, endurance, and a deep understanding of their boats. Wasted Away will have no luxury of a full crew, no extra hands to trim sails or call tactics—just one skipper, one yacht, and a relentless pursuit of the perfect race.
Some might see a lone entry as a disadvantage. But in the world of shorthanded sailing, being alone isn’t a weakness—it’s a statement. Judge and Wasted Away aren’t just here to participate; they’re here to prove that in a sport where teamwork is everything, sometimes, one sailor is enough.
Will Wasted Away carve its path through the fleet and upset the odds? One thing’s for certain—this isn’t just another boat on the start line. This is a test of skill, determination, and the unwavering spirit of shorthanded sailing.
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Wait for our second installment where we round out the remaining entries next week.
