Classic yachts brought a distinctly different rhythm to the water during the afternoon racing. With timber hulls, long overhangs, and no modern sailing aids, the fleet offered spectators a rare and evocative connection to Auckland’s sailing heritage.
Leading the classics home on handicap was Rainbow, the 1898 Arch Logan masterpiece that remains one of the most significant yachts ever built in New Zealand. Rainbow completed the course in an elapsed time of 2 hours 11 minutes 06 seconds, securing victory on corrected time with 1 hour 47 minutes 07 seconds. More than a century after her launch, Rainbow once again demonstrated why she is regarded as a benchmark of elegance, balance, and outright performance.
Close behind was Aramoana, built in 1938 to an Arch Logan design and constructed by Bill Couldrey in Northcote. Often described as dainty yet deceptively quick, Aramoana crossed the line second on handicap after an elapsed time of 2 hours 21 minutes 37 seconds, finishing just over two minutes behind the winner on corrected time. Still actively raced with the Classic Yacht Association, Aramoana continues to reward careful handling and clean sailing.
Third on handicap was Ariki, the powerful 1904 Logan Bros cruiser racer. At 54 feet overall and carrying a formidable sail plan, Ariki recorded an elapsed time of 2 hours 09 minutes 19 seconds, highlighting her enduring speed despite her age and displacement.
Fourth went to Rawhiti, another iconic Logan Bros A Class yacht launched in 1905. Fresh from her mid 2000s restoration, Rawhiti showed her pedigree with a strong performance, finishing fourth on handicap and first with an elapsed time of 2 hours 8 minutes 34 seconds on line honours.
Completing the fleet was Tawera, the immaculately restored 1935 Arch Logan A Class keeler, whose presence alone under sail remains a reminder of the craftsmanship and ambition that defined New Zealand yacht design in the early twentieth century.
Together, the classic fleet added depth, texture, and history to the day’s racing, reminding onlookers that Auckland’s harbour remains very much alive with its past.
| Boat | Handicap place | Corrected time | Line honours place | Elapsed time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow | 1 | 1:47:07 | 3 | 2:11:06 |
| Aramoana | 2 | 1:49:37 | 5 | 2:21:37 |
| Ariki | 3 | 1:51:59 | 2 | 2:09:19 |
| Rawhiti | 4 | 1:54:02 | 1 | 2:08:34 |
| Tawera | 5 | 1:55:13 | 4 | 2:12:53 |
