Racing, cruising, and celebration combine when the PIC Harbour Classic returns to Auckland’s waterfront on 20–22 March 2026.
A harbour regatta for everyone
The PIC Harbour Classic returns to Auckland from 20 to 22 March 2026, bringing sailors, cruising enthusiasts, and families together for one of the city’s most distinctive sailing events.
Inspired by the world famous Barcolana regatta in Trieste, the Harbour Classic blends competitive racing with a relaxed social atmosphere. The concept is simple. Put every boat on the same start line and send them racing across the harbour together.
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Expert racers, weekend cruisers, seasoned offshore sailors, and family crews all take part in the same event. Boats of different sizes compete within divisions based on overall length, but they share the same spectacular start.
The result is a rare sight on the Waitematā Harbour. A large fleet charging away together under sail, creating a dramatic moment both on the water and along Auckland’s waterfront.
Built on Coastal Classic heritage
The PIC Harbour Classic is organised by the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club (NZMYC), the same club behind one of the country’s most famous offshore races, the Coastal Classic.
The Coastal Classic began in 1982 with just twelve boats racing from Auckland to Russell. Today it attracts a large fleet and remains one of the biggest yacht races in New Zealand.
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That heritage of event organisation and offshore sailing experience sits behind the Harbour Classic. The NZMYC community includes sailors, designers, boatbuilders, and innovators who share a passion for advancing sailing across New Zealand.
Their aim with the Harbour Classic is to create an event that welcomes both competitive racers and sailors who simply want to be part of something special on the water.
Racing the harbour
One of the defining features of the PIC Harbour Classic is its mass start format. Every boat begins the race at the same time, creating a dramatic fleet start off Auckland’s harbour entrance.
To accommodate changing wind and tide conditions, organisers have developed a range of possible course options. The final course will be confirmed in the official sailing instructions shortly before the race.
Depending on conditions, boats may finish either near North Head or inside the harbour near Jellicoe Wharf and North Wharf.
This flexibility allows race organisers to ensure the fleet enjoys the best possible sailing conditions on the day.
A weekend on the waterfront
The Harbour Classic is as much about the social side of sailing as it is about the racing itself.
The fleet will gather at Jellicoe Harbour and North Wharf, where boats will moor throughout the weekend. Wynyard Quarter becomes the event village, hosting registration, briefings, the prizegiving ceremony, and the post race celebrations.
The programme begins on Friday evening with registration, a race briefing, and a welcome gathering at Wynyard Pavilion.
Saturday brings the main event. The race starts at 12 noon, with the final boats expected across the finish line later in the afternoon. Prizegiving follows at 5.30 pm, before crews continue the celebrations onboard their own boats across the marina.
By Sunday midday, the fleet will gradually depart, leaving the waterfront after a weekend that combines sailing spectacle with the social side of the boating community.
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A growing fleet
Interest in the Harbour Classic continues to build. At present 49 boats are entered, representing a wide range of yacht designs and sailing styles.
The fleet includes everything from performance racing boats such as the Soto 40 Alegre, Pogo 40 Krakatoa II, and the GC32 Frank Racing, through to well known cruising designs including Beneteau Oceanis, Bavaria, Hanse, and Fountaine Pajot multihulls.
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Classic New Zealand designs also feature strongly, with boats such as Young 88, Ross 930, Farr 1020, and Stewart 34 adding to the mix.
That diversity is part of the Harbour Classic’s appeal. Fast race boats, cruising yachts, and multihulls all share the same harbour and the same starting gun.
For sailors and spectators alike, it promises a spectacular weekend on Auckland’s water.
