Points are tight after Featherston as teams arrive at Whanganui with little margin for error ahead of Round 2.
Round 1 of the 2025–2026 New Zealand Jet Sprint Championship has done its job. The points are on the board, the margins are clear, and the championship now heads to Whanganui with little room for error across all four senior classes.
Featherston rewarded clean runs and consistency. As Round 2 approaches at Shelter View on December 27, the early hierarchy is established but far from settled.
Southern Jet Superboats: nothing between the leaders
Sam Newdick and Shama Putaranui leave Featherston leading the Southern Jet Superboats standings on 30 points after converting pace into a Round 1 win. It is a familiar position, but the buffer is minimal.
Reuben Hoeksema and Suzi Katavich sit just one point back on 29, while Rob Coley and Toby Edmonds are close again on 28. David Simmons and Pip Thompson hold fourth on 26 points, with Mike Hessell and Shaun White fifth on 25.
Only eight points cover the entire Superboats field, making Whanganui a potential turning point if conditions or execution shift.
Group A: early pressure for the champions
Group A arrives at Whanganui with one of the tightest points spreads in the championship. Matt Hareb and Hayden George lead on 30 points, but the gap behind them is razor thin.
Defending champions Ollie Silverton and Amanda Kittow sit second on 29 points, with Kris Rasmussen and Holly Sutherland third on 28. Bryce and Kylie Baron follow on 26, while Ross Travers and Jackie Hawker round out the top five on 25.
Six points separate first from sixth, ensuring Group A remains wide open heading into Round 2.
MTW LS Class: depth already telling
The MTW LS Class shows both a clear leader and remarkable depth. John Verry and Grace Alder sit atop the standings on 30 points, but Tim and Debbie Edhouse are right behind on 29.
Jackson Hopkins and Dana Doyle hold third on 28 points, followed by Connor Nairn and James Tuckey on 26, and Matt Nairn and Tayla May Sutherland on 25. Patrick and Jay Haden sit sixth on 24.
From first to fourteenth, fewer than 16 points separate the field, underlining how quickly positions can change with one strong or costly run.
MTW Group B: momentum up for grabs
Hamish Clarke and Lisa Seator lead MTW Group B on 30 points after a decisive opening round. Gemma Johnson and Richard Currie follow on 29, with Greg and Katie Wilson third on 28.
Andrew Craig and Scott Gouman sit fourth on 26 points, while Andy Darling and Kane Hatchard complete the top five on 25. Five points cover the leading group, keeping the class finely balanced.
Whanganui next
With points now shaping the season, Shelter View Jetsprint Track will test accuracy as much as speed. After Featherston, the championship is already tight.
Round 2 at Whanganui on 27 December will tell us far more, and might bring a few surprises.
