The 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race brings together one of the most diverse and experienced offshore fleets seen in recent editions. From purpose built short handed weapons to well prepared cruising designs, this year’s entry list reflects the depth of talent and ambition within the SSANZ community.Across four divisions, 26 teams will tackle the 1,200 nautical mile lap of the North Island. Seven return with unfinished business. Others are stepping up for the first time.
What unites them is simple. Commitment. Preparation. And the willingness to point the bow into whatever the North Island delivers.
Meet the teams. With SSANZ Media.
Division 1
Perfect Storm
Thompson 38 | SHB 0.900 | Ken Ormandy & Lori Ormandy
No stranger to discomfort, Ken Ormandy returns for his third lap of the North Island aboard Perfect Storm, bringing years of shorthanded offshore racing and previous RNIs with him. Joined by wife Lori, the pair have spent the past three years upgrading, refining, and learning the boat together, building miles through SSANZ racing, the Northern Triangle, and longer offshore tests. Better prepared, better equipped, and keen for a very different experience than the last upwind-heavy edition, they’re lining up ready to see what this RNI delivers.
General Lee Racing
Bakewell-White 37 | SHB 0.912 | Cameron Thorpe & Tim Holgate
Regular SSANZ competitors Cam Thorpe and Tim Holgate reunite for another offshore adventure. Sailing the ex-Clockwork, winner of the 2020 Round North Island, they entered late. Armed with a great boat but limited time to get to know her, they know the favourites are well-prepared, yet experience counts, and it’s sure to be an adventure.
Motorboat III
Thompson 1150 | SHB 0.922 | Damon Jolliffe & Josh Tucker
On paper, Damon Jolliffe and Josh Tucker probably know better. With nine RNIs between them already and a long history of offshore misadventure, they line up again aboard Motorboat III, fully aware of what the race entails. Equal parts experience and questionable decision-making, the pair bring serious sea miles, a well-earned reputation, and a highly optimised, fine-tuned campaign.
Motorboat III and the call of the Round North Island Yacht Race
Vixen Racing
Verdier Class 40 | SHB 0.927 | Sharon Ferris-Choat & Taylor Edwards
Sharon Ferris-Choat brings a depth of experience that spans Olympic campaigns, the Volvo Ocean Race, offshore records, and leadership at the very top of professional sailing, alongside a long-standing commitment to developing women in the sport. Through the Vixen Racing Academy, she has helped build a programme focused on real offshore racing, responsibility, and leadership at sea. Sailing with her is Taylor Edwards, a Yachtmaster Cruising Instructor and commercially endorsed skipper with a hands-on background in boatbuilding, rigging, and engineering. With miles logged across the South Pacific, Mediterranean, Chilean and New Zealand fiords, and a winter Tasman crossing under his belt, Edwards adds practical offshore experience, calm execution, and a strong coaching mindset as the pair take on the challenge together on this impressive Verdier.
Vixen Racing sails with Globe 40 fleet before turning for New Zealand
High 5
Farr 47 | SHB 0.940 | Bernie Hyde & Thomas Hyde
Racing father-and-son duo Bernie and Thomas Hyde line up together aboard High 5, a boat they sailed home to New Zealand from Italy after competing in the 2022 Rolex Middle Sea Race. With Thomas Hyde having grown up sailing and racing out of Murrays Bay Sailing Club and plenty of offshore miles now behind them, the pair are keen to take on a full lap of the North Island and see what the RNI has to offer.
Explore Racing
Elliott 50 | SHB 1.051 | William Goodfellow & Jesse Turner
With careers built around life on the water, William Goodfellow and Jesse Turner share a passion for offshore and short-handed racing. Returning for a third RNI, Goodfellow is joined by Turner, who grew up sailing on a classic yacht and now brings that lifelong experience to his first RNI. Sailing a relatively new boat that’s been a fun project to get race-ready, the pair are looking forward to seeing what the RNI delivers.
Division 2
Ākonga
Dehler 41 | SHB 0.840 | Nick Roberts & Max Livingstone
What started as a family cruising boat has since been adapted to include a two-handed race programme, with Nick Roberts teaming up with Max Livingstone after delivering Ākonga in the Pacific in 2022. Since then, the pair have taken up short-handed racing together, competing in the Northern Triangle in 2025 and winning the Two-Handed Division of the RNZYS Three Kings Race in 2024. They are now returning fired up, ready to take on the RNI.
Pipi
Pogo 36 | SHB 0.851 | Steve Newcombe & Craig Parker
Steve Newcombe returns for his fourth Round North Island on Pogo 36 Pipi, his third RNI on a different boat, continuing a long-standing commitment to SSANZ racing and two-handed sailing. Sailing alongside Craig Parker, who grew up racing and cruising on his father’s trimaran before owning and campaigning his own boats over the past 15 years, the pair bring a mix of experience, enthusiasm, and genuine love for offshore racing. After an epic time during the SSANZ Northern Triangle last year, they’re keen to step things up again and take on the full lap, ready to see what RNI 2026 delivers.
Motorboat II
Elliott 10.5 | SHB 0.859 | Alan Quere & Vincent Trinquet | RNI 2023: 8th PHRF Overall & 9th Line Honours Overall
Drawn from very different sailing backgrounds, Alan Quere and Vincent Trinquet have found a shared groove in double-handed racing aboard Motorboat II. With Quere’s years of ocean racing and Trinquet stepping into the short-handed world after an extensive inshore career, the RNI represents both a return and a step up. They’re back for the challenge, the atmosphere, and to make sure this time the lap of the North Island is properly completed, not the Waikawa and back windward bash.
Catnip
Beneteau First 45 | SHB 0.867 | Geoff Thorn & Katie Mathison
Returning for their second RNI, Geoff Thorn and Katie Mathison first took on the race in 2020 before purchasing Catnip in Australia. After sailing her home across the Tasman, they quickly discovered everything that needed repairing. With plenty of offshore miles between them, from Cook Strait racing to Tasman crossings, they know the RNI is a challenge regardless of experience, and one they’re both keen to take on again in 2026.
Kayimai
Azuree 46 | SHB 0.867 | Karen Selway & Kevin Smith
With decades of racing, cruising, and offshore miles behind them, Karen Selway and Kevin Smith bring a broad mix of experience to their RNI campaign aboard Kayimai. Purchased in Australia in 2023 and sailed across the Tasman, the Azuree 46 marks a shift toward longer two-handed adventures while still enjoying the performance side of sailing. Drawn by the challenge and the shared experience, they’re lining up to see what a full lap of the North Island delivers.
Higher Ground
Ross 10.6 | SHB 0.877 | John Seely & Matthew Wilson
With years of two-handed and offshore racing behind him, John Seely brings experience from both Australia and New Zealand to the team. In 2025, he and long-time friend Matthew Wilson purchased Higher Ground with a clear goal of lining up for the 2026 RNI. With Wilson adding Pacific cruising miles to the mix, the pair are looking forward to taking on what they know will be a proper offshore challenge.
Whichway
Davidson 52 | SHB 0.885 | Bruce Gault & Craig McMillan | RNI 2023 (Bruce Gault & David Brooke): 2nd PHRF Overall & 2nd Line Honours Overall
Bruce Gault has owned Whichway, a Davidson 52, since 2020, carrying out a major refit before competing in the 2023 RNI. Since then, she’s spent extended winters cruising the Pacific, and Gault is back again, hoping this is the year he completes the full lap around the North Island. Joining him is Craig McMillan, a long-time racer and cruiser of the upper North Island, with offshore experience that includes a Sydney-Hobart, Middle Sea Race, an Atlantic crossing, and a Panama transit. Together they’re aiming for a solid, enjoyable run around the course.
Focus
Elliott 1350 | SHB 0.887 | Craig Fraser & Rob Croft | 2023 RNI: 10th PHRF Overall, 7th Line Elapsed Time Overall
Lured out of retirement to defend a hard-earned record, Craig Fraser and Rob Croft return to the RNI with a clear goal of protecting Croft’s tally for the most RNIs and RNZs completed. With decades of offshore racing and cruising between them, Fraser is lining up for his third RNI. For Croft’s sixth lap of the North Island, he’s opting for a more comfortable ride this time around over his trusty Farr 38 Coppelia. The pair know the challenge well and are back to prove that experience still counts, even if recovery now takes a little longer.
Division 3
Indis
Sun Fast 3300 | SHB 0.811 | Andrew Benton & Andrew Hall
Drawn to shorthanded sailing from an early age, Andrew Benton brings decades of experience from racing in Cook Strait and beyond to the Sun Fast 3300 Indis. Purpose-built for shorthanded sailing, the boat is teamed with the technical expertise of sail designer and co-skipper Andrew Hall, whose focus on performance and efficiency suits the demands of short-handed offshore racing. Together, they’re looking forward to putting boat, preparation, and experience to the test around the North Island.
Physical Favours
Ross 9.1 | SHB 0.818 | Ryan McCready & Andrew Child | Sailing with a new B&G system via Advance Trident.
Ryan McCready lines up on Physical Favours with a reputation for confidence, optimism, and a willingness to trust the plan, whatever that happens to be at the time. Sailing alongside Andrew Child, the pair combine McCready’s enthusiasm with Child’s calm, experienced approach offshore. Together, they bring a balance of competitiveness and good humour to the race, backed by solid seamanship and a shared commitment to getting the boat around the island. Ready for the challenge, they’re looking forward to seeing what the RNI throws at them next.
Ragnar
Sun Fast 3300 | SHB 0.819 | Brett Elliott & James Glidden
Brett Elliott returns for his fourth RNI, this time aboard a Sun Fast 3300, looking forward to a smoother ride after his recent races on Waka. Elliott now specialises in short-handed racing across the SSANZ calendar. He’s joined by James Glidden, making his RNI debut. The pair, both with roots in the youth training pathway, have campaigned together in the past. After qualifying last week, they’re eager to take on the race, with special thanks to owner Derek for lending them the boat.
Kokomea
Beneteau First 40.7 | SHB 0.821 | Geoff Faulkner & Stu Morgan
Keen cruisers with plenty of offshore miles between them, Geoff Faulkner and Stu Morgan team up aboard Kokomea, looking for a solid lap of the North Island. With decades of sailing experience, including long-distance cruising, offshore racing, and a recent two-handed win in the Central Triangle, they know what the challenge demands. After unfinished attempts in past editions, they are determined to get to the finish this time.
Niksen
Dehler 30 One Design | SHB 0.824 | Logan Fraser & Marc Michel | 2023 RNI: 16th PHRF Overall, 17th Line Elapsed Time Overall
With a strong background in youth, match, and offshore racing, Logan Fraser returns aboard Niksen looking to add another lap of the North Island to his sailing miles. Having completed the previous two editions of the RNI along with Tasman crossings and a two-handed Sydney-Hobart, he’s joined by co-owner Marc Michel, whose extensive blue-water experience spans oceans, classics, and double-handed offshore racing. Well practised together and no strangers to the demands of short-handed sailing, the pair are lining up ready for another full lap.
Kick
Elliott 1050 | SHB 0.836 | Brendan Sands & Ben Roff | 2023 RNI (Brendan Sands & Josh Tucker): 16th PHRF Overall, 14th Line Elapsed Time Overall
Lining up for his third lap of the North Island, Brendan Sands returns aboard Kick, an Elliott 1050 he’s spent the past eight years tuning and refining. This time, he’s joined by Ben Roff, coming off a recent Northern Triangle campaign and stepping into his first RNI after building experience through coastal and offshore racing. With experience on one side and a first RNI on the other, the pair are hoping this edition delivers a full lap and a little less west coast punishment.
Division 4
L’Avanti
Farr 1020 | SHB 0.735 | John Power & Richard Power
Brothers John and Richard Power bring more than 50 years of sailing together to their RNI campaign aboard L’Avanti. Based out of the Bay of Islands, the pair have raced extensively two-handed, including multiple Coastal Classics and the 2025 SSANZ Northern Triangle. Stepping up to their biggest challenge yet, the brothers are using the RNI as the next natural progression in a long history of sailing and racing together.
Start Me Up
Ross 930 | SHB 0.748 | Harri Wren & Peron Pearse | 2023 RNI: 19th PHRF Overall, 24th Line Elapsed Time Overall
Harri Wren grew up sailing dinghies in Auckland before finding her niche on keelboats through the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron’s youth training programme and is now known for sharp sail changes and strong planning. She sails regularly on the Ker 40 Minerva in Sydney and returns with Peron Pearse for her second RNI, aiming for a smoother full lap this time. Pearse grew up dinghy sailing in Western Australia before moving to New Zealand for the youth programme. Twelve years on, he’s still here. Since his move across the ditch, he’s built a solid mix of inshore and offshore miles, including a highlight of the Groupama Race on Clockwork, and now balances sailing with a career flying helicopters.
Hotdogger
Ross 930 | SHB 0.763 | Nigel Bish & Sin Grujicic
After trading high-powered motorcycles for high-energy yacht racing, Nigel Bish teams up with Sin Grujicic to take on the RNI aboard the ever-competitive Ross 930 Hotdogger. With plenty of miles logged together in preparation and the race long sitting on Grujicic’s bucket list, the pair know a lap of the North Island will be fast, demanding, and anything but sedate, and they’re more than ready for the challenge.
C U Later
Ross 8 | SHB 0.780 | Ben Sinton & Shaun Grigg | 2023 RNI (Ben Stinton & Chris Skinner): 23rd PHRF Overall, 26th Line Elapsed Time Overall
Ben Sinton and Shaun Grigg line up for the 2026 Round North Island Race aboard Ross 8 C U Later. Both experienced offshore sailors, they bring a steady, competitive approach to the 1,200 mile lap of the North Island. They may be in a smaller boat, but they will be ones to watch around the course.
Carpe Diem
Elliott 10.66 | SHB 0.782 | Rowan Smith & Lydia Boyd
Having raced keelboats in Auckland and along the Australian coast, Rowan Smith brings a solid background in two-handed sailing to Carpe Diem, an Elliott 10.66 he’s campaigned for several years. He’s joined by Lydia Boyd, who completed the Northern Triangle aboard the boat last year and returns for her first RNI. After plenty of miles in the past couple of years, the pair are looking forward to taking on the next challenge around the North Island.
Highline
Dufour 455 Grand Large | SHB 0.792 | Andrew MacMurdie & Jennifer Haliday
A regular on the SSANZ circuit, Andrew MacMurdie returns for his third RNI and second with Jennifer Haliday, bringing decades of offshore and short-handed experience across multiple boats and campaigns. Sailing the cruising-focused Highline, the pair are no strangers to longer races, having tackled everything from SSANZ Enduros and Northern Triangles to Coastal Classics and a previous RNI together. Comfortable, capable, and well practised, they’re lining up once again for the challenge of a lap of the North Island.
