One of New Zealand’s most iconic offshore sailing events is back—and it’s shaping up to be a cracker. Entries are now officially open for the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic, and if early signs are anything to go by, this year’s edition could be one of the most exciting yet.
From the Boating New Zealand September 2025 edition
Entries open for the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic Yacht RaceEntries are now officially open for the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic, New Zealand’s biggest and most iconic coastal yacht race. With many sailors overseas in Barcelona for the America’s Cup and some tricky spring conditions in 2024, anticipation is high for a big turnout this October Labour weekend. And the fleet could have an extra spark of star power this year – with Wild Thing, the legendary Australian super maxi, tipped to take the start line. At 30m (98 feet), Wild Thing is a serious contender with an impressive track record in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Her appearance in the PIC Coastal Classic would be a showstopping moment, bringing trans-Tasman prestige and a new level of speed and spectacle to the race. - Advertisement, article continues below -
The PIC Coastal Classic will take place on Friday, 24 October 2025, with boats departing from Devonport Wharf and racing up the East Coast to Russell in the Bay of Islands. From multihulls to monohulls, from club crews to offshore veterans – the stage is set for an unforgettable race. |
Run every Labour Weekend, the PIC Coastal Classic charts a 119-nautical-mile course from Devonport Wharf in Auckland to Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands, and draws one of the most diverse fleets on the Kiwi sailing calendar—from family cruisers to grand prix racers and everything in between.
But what’s already turning heads for 2025 is the rumoured appearance of a trans-Tasman legend: Wild Thing. The 30-metre (98-foot) Australian super maxi has made a name for herself in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and would add serious firepower to the local lineup. Her participation promises not just speed but a serious spectacle—especially for those watching from the start line or tracking the race online.
WILD THING 100, Sail n: AUS1001, OWNER/SKIPPER: Grant Wharington & Adrian Seiffert, STATE: QLD, DESIGN: 100 Footer, LOA: 100, “30, 5”, CLASS: IRC, YEAR BUILT: 2023 / Facebook; Rolex | Carlo Borlenghi
“This year, with the Cup behind us and a bit of FOMO in the air, we’re expecting a strong showing across all divisions,” says Adrian Percival, Commodore of the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club. “There’s a real buzz about being back on the start line.”
The 2024 race saw 67 boats take on the course, with standout performances from multihull Romanza, who crossed the line at 01:46 after a commanding night run, and Fez, a beautifully restored Warwick 50 from Kerikeri, which claimed overall PHRF honours for monohulls. Despite trying weather and a lighter fleet due to America’s Cup commitments in Barcelona, the race still delivered everything fans have come to expect—tight battles, heartbreak (including early retirements like Fat Freddy and Highline), and moments of sheer perseverance.
This year, organisers are shaking things up to bring more sailors into the fold. One big change? A flat entry fee across all divisions, designed to simplify logistics and encourage participation from first-timers through to seasoned racers.
“Everyone sails the same distance, and this change just levels the playing field a little more while helping us cover the growing costs of running the event,” says Percival. “We want to make it easier for everyone to enter, whether they’re in a rally cruising boat or a top-flight racing yacht.”
The race’s reputation is well earned. Aside from being a logistical and tactical challenge for crews, the Coastal Classic is also a celebration of New Zealand’s deep connection to the sea. And while it’s a competitive event, the camaraderie and shared passion for sailing are what keep people coming back year after year.
Expect multihulls, monohulls, cutting-edge designs and historic vessels to share the start line once again on Friday 24 October 2025, as the cannon fires and sails fill in the shadow of Rangitoto Island.
From there, the fleet will thread its way past iconic waypoints like Sail Rock and Cape Brett, racing north toward the warm welcome of Russell, where the town and its anchorage transform into a festival of sails, stories and hard-earned toasts.
Whether you’re a boat owner contemplating your first shot at the course, a seasoned racer keen to line up with the best, or a fan watching from the shoreline, the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic is not to be missed.
Entries are now open at coastalclassic.co.nz.
