Wraith II, the MOD 70 helmed by Sean Vernon, delivered a statement performance in the 2026 Balokovic Cup, the last event in the 2025-2026 Doyle Sails Gold Cup series, storming around the 89 nautical mile Gulf course in 5 hours 44 minutes 22 seconds, just under nine minutes behind the course record. With the corrected time for multihull division also updated.
This article has been updated upon confirmation of course records from the race organisers. The current course record continues to stand with TeamVodafoneSailing. In 2016, TeamVodafoneSailing was the first multihull home in just over 5 hours 35 minutes, while the Volvo 70 Giacomo, skippered by Jim Delegat, was the leading monohull in 8 hours 10 minutes.
In a strong south westerly breeze that built through Friday, 20 February 2026, the late entry multihull turned the classic overnighter into a high speed showcase, underlining the scale and pedigree of the former Snowflake and Beau Geste campaign.
Wraith II: The MOD70, from Beau Geste to record-breaking victory at the Balokovic Cup
Pace in a classic Gulf test
The Balokovic Cup started off the Orakei Wharf area, with a Friday evening (20 February 2026) 18:25 warning signal for the two multihulls, Wraith II and Oceans Tribute, and 18:30 for the remainder of the fleet.
Conditions were near perfect for an offshore sprint. A strong southwesterly breeze produced pressure and chop through the Gulf, rewarding early commitment and punishing hesitation.
Wraith II stopped the clock at 00:14:22 Saturday, 21 February 2026. Her elapsed time of 5 hours 44 minutes 22 seconds secured multihull line honours.
However, this is where the story changes. On corrected time Ocean’s Tribute won the multihull division in 10 hours 19 minutes 14 seconds, coming in just under two hours ahead. Congratulations to Guy Chester and Ocean’s Tribute.
Ocean’s Tribute: circumnavigator Guy Chester brings sustainability to the PIC Coastal Classic
Monohull line honours: Equilibrium leads home
While Wraith II almost rewrote the record, the monohull fleet delivered its own tightly fought contest across nine starters.
Two boats, Liquid Luck and Motorboat, retired during the race, leaving seven to complete the course in demanding overnight conditions.
First monohull home was Equilibrium, the Botin Carkeek 55 skippered by Graham Matthews of SSANZ. Equilibrium finished at an elapsed time of 9 hours 16 minutes 30 seconds, securing monohull line honours in convincing fashion.
The time gap to second placed Carrera 3, helmed by John Meadowcroft of RNZYS, was 2 hours 29 minutes 07 seconds. Carrera 3 finished with an elapsed time of 11 hours 45:37.
Third across the line was Indis, the Sun Fast 3300 sailed by Andrew Benton of RYC, finished just 8 minutes 24 seconds behind Carrera 3 but 2 hours 37 minutes 31 seconds adrift of Equilibrium.
Nigel Hendy’s Dufour 45e Nirvana crossed 24 minutes 58 seconds behind Indis. Chris Beaumont’s Young 11 Flying Boat followed 15 minutes 48 seconds later.
Marcel Vroege’s Ross 35 Apparition arrived another 10 minutes 18 seconds back. Ross Bannan’s Whiting 1/4 Tonner Magic Bus completed the course 5 hours 51 minutes 19 seconds behind Equilibrium.
From first to last monohull, the elapsed spread was just under six hours across the 89 mile course.
Indis claims monohull handicap honours
On PHRF corrected time, the battle tightened considerably.
Indis took the handicap win with a corrected time of 9 hours 38 minutes 21 seconds. Equilibrium, despite dominating on elapsed time, placed second on corrected time, just 11 minutes behind Indis once ratings were applied.
Carrera 3 secured third on corrected time to complete the podium.
The 11 minute gap between Indis and Equilibrium under handicap illustrates how effectively Benton and his crew sailed to their rating, particularly through the transitional breeze overnight. Behind them, the corrected time margins through the mid fleet remained competitive, reflecting the strength of the 36 to 45 foot core that has defined this Doyle Sails Gold Cup Series.
BlueWater Championship and season finale
The Balokovic Cup forms part of the Royal Akarana Yacht Club BlueWater Championship series for 2025–2026, alongside the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic, 2026 Doyle Sails Cavalli Islands Race and the upcoming 2026 Route 66.
The Marsden Cove Marina Route 66 is a 66 nautical mile coastal race from Auckland to Marsden Cove in Whangarei, organised by Richmond Yacht Club and raced under Category 4 plus safety requirements. It will close out the BlueWater Championship and provide one final offshore test for crews.
The fleet will celebrate its season achievements at the Gold Cup Prizegiving on 12 March at Royal Akarana Yacht Club, held in conjunction with the BlueWater Championships finale.
