The leading yachts in the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic have now crossed the finish line in Russell, while much of the fleet continues to make its way up the Northland coast in light and variable conditions. The 119 nautical mile race, organised by the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club (NZMYC), has again delivered a tactical test of skill and patience, as crews worked through calm patches, shifting winds, and long hours overnight.
The race began on Friday morning under clear skies and a gentle south-westerly breeze of about eight knots. From the 10.00 a.m. start, Lucky, the 27 metre Juan Kouyoumdjian designed maxi owned and skippered by Bryon Ehrhart, quickly emerged as the boat to beat. By early afternoon, she was sailing off Kawau Island at around 10 knots, and by nightfall had established a comfortable lead off Bream Head.
Conditions softened into the evening, with much of the fleet slowing to 3–5 knots along the coast. At 1.00 a.m., Lucky was still approaching Cape Brett in almost glassy conditions. Then, as forecast, a light southerly filled in just after 2.00 a.m. She was the first to find it, accelerating to over 10 knots and rounding the Cape soon after before making for the finish.
At 3.22 a.m. on Saturday, Lucky crossed the line in Russell to claim early line honours, completing the course in 17 hours, 22 minutes, and 55 seconds. Behind her, Callisto, Jim Murray’s Pac52, was also in the new breeze and finished at 6.13 a.m., followed by Mayhem, the 15.8 metre TP52 co-skippered by Harry Dodson and Tony Bosnyak, at 6.33 a.m.
At 7.23 a.m., Wired, Rob Bassett and Brett Russell’s Bakewell White TP52, crossed in fourth, followed closely by Sassinate, Mikayla Plaw’s 12 metre Melges 40, in fifth and first in Division 1B. Plaw and her crew delivered a standout performance, keeping pace with some of the fleet’s fastest yachts throughout the race.
Further back, much of the fleet remains at sea, enjoying a modest but steady breeze as they make their way north. Early morning arrivals have included Explore Racing (William Goodfellow’s Elliott 50 SS), Clockwork (Steve Mair’s Shaw 12), Alegre (Vaughn Clarke’s Soto 40), Blue Dude (Chris Hornell’s Shaw 9), CAT+ION (Graham Catley’s Roger Hill 18.5 metre catamaran), Rehab (Mike Sanderson’s Shaw 35), Wild Card, and Ultraviolet (Laurent Lhermitte’s Blade Runner).
While the frontrunners were clear, with Lucky, Callisto, and Mayhem securing the top three spots, several of the following line honours and handicap positions were decided in tight finishes. For much of the fleet, the light and shifting winds turned the race into a long and tactical contest, demanding patience and precision rather than outright speed. Though the weather gods offered little help, the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic has once again proven why it remains one of New Zealand’s most rewarding and beautifully run offshore challenges.
