The 2025–26 Doyle Sails Gold Cup Series is off to a flying start. Two spring races: the Marine Deals Spring Regatta on 20 September and the Roy McDell Memorial on 4 October, gave Auckland’s keelboat fleet a solid platform before New Zealand’s long-haul event, the PIC Coastal Classic, which ran on 24 October. The Gold Cup’s early legs traditionally double as the perfect tune-up for the Coastal, and that pattern held true again this year.
Race 1: Marine Deals Spring Regatta
Richmond Yacht Club hosted the opener in lively 15- to 20-knot south-westerlies, a proper shake-down after winter. On PHS corrected time, Vaughn Clark’s Alegre (a 2012 Soto 40) took a commanding win in 5 hours 32 minutes 36 seconds, about 5 minutes ahead of Quintin Fowler’s Rum Bucket (a 2018 More 55) and Nigel Hendy’s Nirvana (a 2012 Dufour 45e).
Graham Matthews’ Equilibrium (a 2011 Botin Carkeek 55) claimed line honours, posting the fastest elapsed time of 5 hours 35 minutes and 24 seconds but slipped to fifth on handicap. Smaller boats such as Rowan Smith’s Carpe Diem (an Elliott 1060) and Peter Cunningham’s Ticketty Boo (a J 112e) impressed early, proving that smart crew work can still humble raw waterline length.
Among the multihulls, Coen Ursam’s Freedom 8.5 led home Steve Dunlop’s 2006 Attitude, continuing the duel that dominated last season’s division M.
Race 2 – Roy McDell Memorial
The second race, hosted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, tightened the pack. Equilibrium backed up its strong start with another podium, sharing the top of the line-honours standings with Alegre, the two heavyweights trading seconds at every mark.
On handicap, Nirvana now leads the PHRF Division after scoring a first and a fifth, narrowly ahead of Carpe Diem and Equilibrium. Liquid Luck (E-30, David Wade) has moved into genuine contention with back-to-back top-five finishes.
With two races sailed, the tone is clear: the season will be defined by consistency. Crews that stay off the “Did Not Compete” list will reap the rewards once the series drops its worst score.
PIC Coastal Classic crossover
Just this past weekend (24 October start), many of these same names appeared in the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic results, proof of the Doyle Sails Gold Cup’s value as preparation.
Matt Krogstad’s Starmaker (a 1986 Farr 1020) from Bucklands Beach Yacht Club stormed to an overall corrected-time win in 19 hours 26 minutes 46 seconds. The top ten on corrected time also included Gold Cup regulars Luke Judge’s Wasted Away (a 1992 Ross 930, 5th), and Simon Manning’s Kaizen (a 2003 Farr 36 OD, 10th).
Mike Elley’s 1993 Nosaka arrived on 31st. Three places after, Nigel Hendy’s Nirvana (2012 Dufour 45e) arrived on PHRF corrected time in 34th, followed by Bob Still’s Mustang Sally on 35th, with Matthew Cashmore’s Love A Luck coming in 42nd on PHRF corrected.
The surprise was the retirement of Graham Matthews’ Equilibrium, which withdrew part-way north despite strong early speed. Matthews’ team has historically bounced back quickly; few doubt they’ll be gunning for redemption in November’s Bean Rock Race.
Patterns emerging from 2024–2025
Looking back at last season provides useful context. Equilibrium dominated line honours throughout 2024–2025, while Kaizen edged Alegre on countback for the PHRF title. Multihull honours went to Craig Haslip’s Hooters, now expected to re-join mid-series.
The early 2025–26 results suggest a near replay of those battles, though with a few new plotlines. Liquid Luck and Carpe Diem have stepped up their game, Nirvana continues to thrive on handicap consistency, and Freedom 8.5 may again face pressure from returning champion Hooters.
Next up – Bean Rock Race
The next event, the Bean Rock Race on 1 November, will see fleets start and finish off Ōrākei Wharf, looping around Rangitoto Beacon, Mahurangi’s Saddle Island and Whangaparāoa’s Eastern Navy Buoy. Crews face up to 48 nautical miles of tactical Gulf sailing before the midnight time limit. Typical Gulf conditions at this time of year suggest a light to moderate north-easterlies potentially leading to plenty of tactical gybing; a genuine offshore test that rewards patience and sharp navigation.
Momentum building
As October draws to a close, the Doyle Sails Gold Cup Series has already showcased why it remains the benchmark for Auckland’s offshore-minded keelboats. Big boats like Equilibrium bring pace and professionalism; mid-sized performers like Alegre, Nirvana and Carpe Diem bring fierce competition and club-spirit energy.
For crews returning from the PIC Coastal Classic, the Doyle Sails Gold Cup now shifts from warm-up to main event. With three races to come: Bean Rock in November, Percy Jones Memorial in December and the Balokovic Cup overnighter in February, the battle for the series lead is wide open.
Whatever happens next, the early signs suggest another season defined by close margins, smart seamanship and the kind of competition that keeps Auckland’s keelboat scene thriving.
