Live: 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race

Hotdogger, the Ross 930 raced by Nigel Bish and Sinisa “Sin” Grujicic, crosses the Leg 4 finish line. They record an elapsed time of 3 days 1 hour 22 seconds and a corrected time of 2 days 6 hours 57 minutes 12 seconds. The result makes them the first Division 4 finisher and, provisionally, the PHRF winner for the division.

With Pipi, Ragnar, and Niksen now all having completed the race and their corrected times recorded, it appears that Motorboat III leads the overall PHRF standings for Leg 4. Congratulations to Damon Jolliffe and Josh Tucker onboard Motorboat III.

Two Division 3 entries follow in second and third, Ragnar and Niksen, respectively.

The Dehler 30OD Niksen, co skippered by Logan Fraser and Marc Michel, crossed the Leg 4 finish line tenth overall with an elapsed time of 2 days 15 hours 41 minutes 55 seconds.

On corrected time Niksen, racing in Division 3, recorded 2 days 4 hours 29 minutes 16 seconds, placing them second on PHRF in their division.

In terms of overall PHRF, that corrected time leaves Niksen 44 minutes 11 seconds behind the corrected time set by Motorboat III.

At this stage Motorboat III leads the overall PHRF standings for Leg 4.

We note that L’Avanti has also retired from the race, leaving half the fleet still competing.

The spitfire Ragnar, a Sunfast 3300 co skippered by Brett Elliott and James Glidden, crossed the Leg 4 finish line eighth overall with an elapsed time of 2 days 15 hours 26 minutes 33 seconds.

On corrected time Ragnar, racing in Division 3, recorded 2 days 4 hours 5 minutes 11 seconds, placing them first on PHRF in their division.

In terms of overall PHRF, that corrected time leaves Ragnar 20 minutes 6 seconds behind the time set by Motorboat III.

Pipi has crossed the finish line fifth overall with an elapsed time of 2 days 13 hours 49 minutes 23 seconds. On corrected time the Pogo 36 recorded 2 days 4 hours 40 minutes 24 seconds, placing Pipi first on PHRF in Division 2.

In terms of overall PHRF, Pipi finished 55 minutes 19 seconds behind the corrected time set by Motorboat III.

Vixen Racing crosses the finish line in fourth with an elapsed time of 2 days 12 hours 21 minutes 36 seconds and a corrected time of 2 days 7 hours 57 minutes 13 seconds placing them in second on PHRF for Division 1. Sharon Ferris-Choat, the first female skipper across the finish line. Together with Taylor Edwards, the first mixed crew across the finish line.

Focus has crossed the finish line at the Auckland Harbour Bridge with an elapsed time of 2 days 8 hours 7 minutes 46 seconds, finishing third across the line and third on overall line honours, while taking first on line honours in Division 2.

On corrected time, Focus posted 2 days 5 hours 3 minutes 39 seconds, placing the boat 1 hour 17 minutes 34 seconds behind the corrected time set by Motorboat III.

At this stage Focus sits provisionally first in Division 2 on PHRF, though with several boats still on the water the final standings will continue to evolve as the fleet reaches the finish.

Much of the fleet has now passed through Colville Channel, exiting the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula and entering the wider Hauraki Gulf. With Explore Racing and Motorboat III already over the finish line, the next two boats expected home in this long race are Division 1’s Vixen Racing and Division 2’s Focus.

Their approach to the finish shows two different tactical choices. Vixen Racing has elected to pass west of Waiheke Island, while Focus has taken the route west of Rangitoto. It sets up an intriguing final stretch as the two boats close in on Auckland.

Focus currently looks well placed to become the first Division 2 boat to cross the finish line on elapsed time.

Further back, Division 2’s Pipi, the Pogo 36, continues to lead the chasing pack. On the corrected time standings Pipi appears strongly positioned and could yet become the first Division 2 boat to secure the win on handicap.

Motorboat III has crossed the Leg 4 finish line with a corrected time of 2 days 3 hours 45 minutes 5 seconds and an elapsed time of 2 days 8 hours 7 minutes 46 seconds.

That result places Damon Jolliffe and Josh Tucker second on line honours for the leg and provisionally first in Division 1 on PHRF.

The bigger question now is where that puts them in the overall PHRF standings.

At present, Motorboat III sits fourth overall, a little more than 1 hour 28 minutes behind Ragnar on corrected time. But the race for the overall handicap podium remains wide open. Ragnar still has 28 nautical miles to sail before reaching the finish off the Auckland Harbour Bridge, estimated to be around 2:15am tomorrow. Between them, Niksen has 30 nautical miles remaining and Pipi has 22 nautical miles still to run.

So the picture is not settled yet. With three key boats still on the course, the final overall PHRF result will be decided by the last miles into Auckland. Quite literally, time and nautical miles will tell.

As Motorboat III closes in on the finish line, they have chosen to pass between Waiheke Island and Motutapu Island rather than follow the Rangitoto route taken by Explore Racing.

Behind them, the front of the chasing pack has now passed through Colville Channel. The first three boats, Vixen Racing which has started to pull away from Focus after a lengthy two-way brawl down the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. With them, Pipi. The three have taken a line that trends more to the south rather than the westerly route sailed by Explore Racing and Motorboat III. Perfect Storm has now also cleared the Channel.

The current PHRF standings see Ragnar in the lead after sailing a consistently strong PHRF race while also finishing high on line honours. Behind Ragnar sit Niksen and Pipi, with Motorboat III close behind.

Explore Racing cross the finish line just near the Auckland Harbour Bridge (adjacent with Westhaven Marina) in an elasped time of 2 days 5 hours 45 minutes and 21 seconds. Four 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race line honours wins from four starts. Congratulations to William Goodfellow and Jesse Turner on an excellent race.

Ragnar now leads on overall PHRF, just 12 seconds ahead of Pipi. Niksen sits about 18 minutes behind, with Motorboat III roughly 25 minutes off the lead on corrected time.

As the fleet enters the Hauraki Gulf the breeze is expected to strengthen. That should keep the pressure on and could still shuffle the PHRF leaderboard before the leg is complete.

Explore Racing and Motorboat III have both chosen the high route, sailing up toward Tiritiri Matangi Island before turning south through the gap between Rangitoto Island and the North Shore.

Explore Racing now has around 20 nautical miles to the finish. Motorboat III has roughly eight nautical miles more to sail. If conditions hold, we should see the line honours winner cross the finish line this evening.

Explore Racing and Motorboat III have both rounded the top of the Coromandel Peninsula and are now through Colville Channel. Less than twenty minutes separates the two as they push into the final run toward the finish.

Around three and a half hours behind, Focus and Vixen Racing appear locked in a head to head battle as they approach the channel. Focus holds a narrow advantage, leading by less than half a minute.

On overall PHRF corrected time the fight is even tighter. Pipi, Ragnar, and Motorboat III currently sit first through third, with just under seven minutes separating the trio. It is exceptionally close racing and could come down to the final miles, or even the final minute.

Explore Racing has located the Colville Channel ahead of Motorboat III and now leads the pack into the final stretch toward the finish.

It is a glorious day along the eastern Coromandel Peninsula, with light onshore breeze and bright sunshine. I have tried, unsuccessfully so far, to catch a glimpse of the fleet from shore at Whangamatā and Whitianga. My timing appears to be off, or the boats are simply too far offshore to pick out clearly. Most likely it is a bit of both.

Goodfellow and Tucker on Explore Racing are now giving Joliffe and Tucker on Motorboat III a run for its money. Out in front is Motorboat III hoping to keep that required margin ahead of 2+1 points ahead of Ragnar to achieve overall PHRF honours. Further offshore General Lee and Vixen Racing are in their own battle.

A new day dawns and it could be the final day of this four leg race for much of the fleet. Furthest offshore are Vixen Racing and General Lee. Motorboat III appears to be leading closer inshore on elapsed time. But the boat to watch right now is Explore Racing, which has quietly sat within the pack until now. They may have found a clear lane and could be positioning themselves for a move into the lead.

As the fleet comes around East Cape and into the Bay of Plenty the majority are choosing the wider offshore path, to provide direct route to the top of the Coromandel Peninsula and the notorious Colville Channel.

Motorboat III are in the overall line lead followed by Focus and third lies General Lee. On overall PHRF Start Me Up are leading ahead of Hotdogger and then Ragnar.

Motorboat III, Vixen Racing and Pipi all look to be heading further offshore to get the stronger predicted winds, while there is very little difference in the predicted swell patterns.

Motorboat III look to be in the lead and have headed further offshore.

A Facebook update from Kick: “If you notice we slowed down around midday today this is due to loosing half of our rudder, we are managing with reduced sail area and coming into flatter waters which hopefully help us start getting back upto speed a bit. We are still racing and plan to finish the race if the rudder stays together. Everyone cross your fingers.”

A change in leadership? Motorboat III, High 5, and Vixen Racing have all caught up with General Lee.

High 5 have retired from the race, with the message “Heading to Auckland.”

Oh I missed that earlier… Motorboat III have also made their move. Currently just under 17 minutes on elepsed time separate line honours leader, General Lee, and Motorboat III.

On overall PHRF, Start Me Up stays in the lead with Pipi in second; 17 seconds separate the two on corrected time. Will we see a change in the PHRF lead?

General Lee has passed High 5 at the front of the fleet with just over six minutes in it on elapsed time, and first on Division 1 PHRF; fifth on overal PHRF.

On overall PHRF, Start Me Up is back in the lead with Pipi in second; four minutes separate the two on corrected time. Exciting! But a long way to go yet. So much can happen in this time.

General Lee are passing High 5 at the front of the fleet. General Lee have made their move.

On the line honours leaderboard, High 5 hold a small one and a half minute lead over General Lee. On overall PHRF, Pipi are now ahead of Start Me Up by over 20 minutes.

Who came around to the top of East Cape first?

On the line honours leaderboard, High 5 holds a lead of just under an hour over General Lee. On overall PHRF, Start Me Up leads Pipi by a similar margin.

Soon the leaders will reach East Cape Lighthouse, the easternmost point of New Zealand, before beginning the northwestward run of this leg. The choices made earlier will soon be tested. Boats that stood further offshore will soon learn whether the extra distance pays off, while those hugging the coast will hope the flatter water and shifts work in their favour. There is also a middle option, and Motorboat III appears to have found good pace there.

It is becoming a game of chess played with the weather as the other opponent.

On Line Honours, High 5 currently leads General Lee by around half an hour on elapsed time, with Perfect Storm next.

On overall PHRF, Pipi leads Focus by just over 10 minutes on corrected time, followed by Start Me Up a further seven minutes back.

In Division 1, General Lee leads Perfect Storm by 25 minutes on corrected time, with High 5 third. All three have committed to the coastal route.

In Division 2, Pipi leads Focus by about 11 minutes on corrected time, with Kayimai third. Like the Division 1 leaders, they have also chosen the coastal track rather than heading wider offshore.

Division 3 is led by Ragnar, followed by Kick and Niksen. Ragnar holds a commanding lead of around three hours on corrected time and is clearly having a strong race. All three boats have favoured the middle to offshore option rather than moving closer to the coast.

In Division 4, Start Me Up leads, followed by L’Avanti 15 minutes later on corrected time, with Hotdogger further back. Start Me Up and Hotdogger have stayed on the middle line, while L’Avanti has sailed the more inshore route.

The fleet is now spread wide along the East Coast, stretching from Whangara in the south to East Cape Lighthouse further north.

Highline sits furthest south, around 64 nautical miles south east of East Cape Lighthouse. At the other extreme, Explore Racing is the most northerly and easterly boat, about 37 nautical miles south east of the lighthouse.

Closest to the land is General Lee, sailing just three nautical miles off Frog Rock near Waipiro Bay.

The fleet has spent the run north off Gisborne trading direction changes, working the breeze up the coast. Explore Racing, now about 56 nautical miles north east of Gisborne, has finally turned north and begun edging back towards the coastline.

Explore Racing, with Vixen Racing close by, and Focus and Ragnar continue to hold the easterly route. Much of the fleet follows, although a growing number are now favouring a flatter, more direct line along the coast.

Leg 4 of the 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race has started off the Port of Napier. The choice ahead is to go out wide or to stick to a more coastal route. Stronger winds versus a shorter route.

Whichway and General Lee have also committed to the inshore option, edging closer to the coast rather than following the wider offshore track.

While most of the fleet continues on the wider, more easterly track, Motorboat III and High 5 break away and tack closer in toward the coastline.

The fleet continues to round Mahia Peninsula. Explore Racing holds the lead on line honours, with Whichway and Vixen Racing close behind. The leading trio are taking a wider track, staying well clear of the coastline.

Explore Racing is first to begin the rounding of Mahia Peninsula, with Focus and Vixen Racing leading the chase as the rest of the fleet closes in.

Explore Racing is the head into the Mahia Peninsula, with Focus next, followed closely by Vixen Racing.

All boats are now standing east with Mahia Peninsula just to the north. As the fleet rounds the peninsula they will move into more exposed water, with winds expected to build a few knots and the sea state rising with it.

Another move north from Highline, Ragnar, Motorboat II, Higher Ground, and General Lee, all tacking to climb further up the course.

Niksen remains the most northerly boat in the fleet, while Explore Racing continues to hold the eastern extreme.

Niksen now holds the lead on the water, sitting furthest north of the fleet.

Behind them, the rest of the boats are standing further east, stretching away from the coast. Explore Racing, High 5, and Whichway are the furthest offshore, pushing the eastern edge of the fleet.

C U Later has now turned north, joining Physical Favours and Pipi on the more northerly track.

The rest of the fleet continue to stand out to the east, stretching away from the coast. General Lee leads on the water, sailing east but still the most northerly of that group, alongside Perfect Storm. Furthest east of the fleet are Explore Racing and Whichway, both pressing harder offshore.

Physical Favours has now come about and turned north, leaving C U Later as the final boat from the east leaning group still holding that line.

On the northerly coastal track, Explore Racing is leading on the water, with General Lee and Whichway close behind.

Further east again, Hotdogger, Ragnar, Motorboat III, Start Me Up, Motorboat II, and Vixen Racing are all edging away from the northerly line, stretching the fleet wider across the course.

All but Physical Favours and C U Later from the least east leaning group have now come about and turned north, committing to the same more northerly track. The question now is whether that earlier push to the east has paid off.

General Lee and Kayimai have followed Motorboat III’s move, peeling away from the east leaning group and committing to a more northerly track.

Motorboat III has peeled away from the east-leaning pack, turning north-east and pushing on a higher, more northerly line.

The 25 boat fleet split early, almost evenly divided between boats pushing further east and those choosing a more northerly line.

Leg 4 of the 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race has started off the Port of Napier. The choice ahead is to go out wide or to stick to a more coastal route. Stronger winds versus a shorter route.

Leg 4 of the 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race will begin off the Port of Napier under relatively moderate conditions before the weather gradually strengthens further north along the coast.

During the late morning build up to the 1pm start, crews can expect a north easterly breeze building from around 8 knots to roughly 12 knots, with gusts reaching up to 18 knots. Conditions will remain cloudy but warm, with temperatures climbing from 18°C toward 22°C. Sea state is relatively manageable, with an easterly swell around 0.6 metres at a nine second period.

The fleet will start near slack tide just before the outgoing tide begins. Early on the boats will be sailing slightly against the prevailing wind direction as they clear the Port area, though the breeze is expected to shift later in the evening.

Along the Hawke Bay coast, through Friday evening the breeze is expected to ease, dropping to around 6 knots overnight before turning northerly at 3 to 7 knots. Swell remains modest but builds further offshore. As the fleet approaches Mahia Peninsula, conditions change noticeably, with northerlies increasing toward 14 knots before easing again ahead of a significant wind shift.

By Saturday morning the breeze is forecast to swing south and strengthen considerably. Southerlies between 11 and 24 knots with gusts up to 27 knots will likely accelerate the fleet as boats turn north toward East Cape.

This leg from Mahia Peninsula to Hicks Bay will be one of the longest uninterrupted sections of the race, roughly twice the distance of the Napier to Mahia stretch.

From Saturday afternoon through Sunday the southerly strengthens further, with sustained winds rising toward 20 knots and gusts pushing past 30 knots at times. Seas build to around 2.4 to 2.5 metres, with squally showers possible overnight near East Cape.

For the front of the fleet this could produce a fast and demanding reach up the coast. Once around Hicks Bay, we’ll take another look at the weather forecast.

In short, the start of Leg 4 is shaping up to be gentle before turning into a powerful downwind push north. For crews chasing the leaderboard, it may provide one final opportunity to make significant gains before the race finishes in Auckland.

The race committee have announced the time for the start of Leg 4. The fleet will be starting from Napier at 1pm tomorrow.

After finishing Leg 3 into Napier, crews now prepare for the final stretch of the 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race.

Leg 4 is the longest remaining leg of the race at 367 nautical miles. It begins just outside Napier Harbour and sends the fleet north along the east coast of the North Island before turning west toward the finish line off Westhaven Marina in Auckland.

The early stages of the leg will take the fleet past Portland Island and Bull Rock as crews settle into the long coastal run toward East Cape. From there the boats round the easternmost point of the North Island before turning slightly west to pass Cape Runaway and enter the Bay of Plenty.

Once inside the Bay, the course continues northwest across open water toward the Hauraki Gulf. Crews will need to decide how aggressively to position themselves for the final approach into Auckland, navigating through Colville Channel and past Channel Island before making the final tactical decision of the race.

From there the route offers two finishing options into the Waitematā Harbour. Boats may choose to enter via the Motuihe Channel or the Rangitoto Channel before pushing toward the finish line off Westhaven.

With the finish now in sight, this final leg often becomes the most tactical of the race. Crews must decide whether to stay inshore hunting for shifts and current, or push offshore looking for steadier breeze. At this stage every decision matters, and every mile still counts.

The race committee is expected to make a call today on the start timing for Leg 4. PredictWind shows the pressure system moving south from the Cook Islands, likely bringing cleaner air around Napier, Gisborne, and the Coromandel by Friday.

PHRF results

Leg 3 of the Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race produced strikingly tight corrected time results across the fleet, with several positions decided by minutes rather than hours after roughly 240 nautical miles of racing.

At the very front, the dramatic Division 1 duel between Motorboat III and Vixen Racing proved decisive. The Thompson 1150 Motorboat III, raced by Damon Joliffe and Josh Tucker, secured the corrected time victory by just 9 minutes 35 seconds over Sharon Ferris Choat and Taylor Edwards aboard the Verdier 40 Vixen Racing. Their on water battle through the final hours translated directly into the corrected standings.

The tightest gap anywhere in the fleet occurred much deeper in the results. Physical Favours, the Division 3 Ross 9.1 sailed by Ryan McCready and Andrew Child, finished only 19 seconds ahead of Focus, the Division 2 Elliott 1350 Tourer raced by Craig Fraser and Rob Croft, on corrected time. After more than a day of racing and roughly 240 nautical miles sailed, that margin represents one of the smallest separations seen in the race so far.

Looking further across the fleet highlights how tight the standings remained. By 10th place overall, the Ross 930 Hotdogger was only 2 hours 32 minutes 03 seconds behind the corrected winner. By 20th place, the Dehler 41 Äkonga was 4 hours 38 minutes 31 seconds behind the leader.

The divisional battles were equally close.

In Division 1, Explore Racing finishing 35 minutes 17 seconds behind the winner despite taking line honours.

Division 2 delivered the tightest divisional finish. The Davidson 52 Whichway defeated the Elliott 10.50 Motorboat 2 by just 2 minutes 41 seconds on corrected time after more than 24 hours of racing.

In Division 3, the Sunfast 3300 Ragnar secured the win, with the Elliott 1050 Kick 30 minutes 46 seconds behind and the Dehler 30OD Niksen another 37 minutes 07 seconds back.

Division 4 also produced close racing behind the winner. The Ross 930 Hotdogger beat the Elliott 10.66 Carpe Diem by 29 minutes 19 seconds, with the Farr 1020 L’Avanti a further 33 minutes behind.

Across divisions, Leg 3 again showed how narrow the margins can be in offshore racing; this leg more a sprint rather than a marathon as seen in the second leg.

Scroll sideways to view the full table.

Line honours

Line honours for Leg 3 reveals a fleet that stretched across Hawke Bay but still produced several tight battles, particularly among the front runners and through the middle of the fleet.

At the front, Explore Racing, the Elliott 50 sailed by William Goodfellow and Jesse Turner, secured line honours in 21h 57m 36s, finishing comfortably ahead of the chasing pack. Behind them, however, the race tightened considerably.

The duel between Motorboat III (Thompson 1150) and Vixen Racing (Verdier 40) produced the closest contest among the leading boats. Motorboat III crossed the line in 1d 0h 23m 41s, while Vixen Racing followed just 2 minutes 27 seconds later in 1d 0h 26m 08s. After more than 220 nautical miles, the pair were still separated by barely the time it takes to hoist or drop a sail.

Further down the order, several clusters formed where boats finished within minutes of each other. One of the tightest came between Focus (Elliott 1350 Tourer) and Motorboat 2 (Elliott 10.50). The two boats finished only 4 minutes 03 seconds apart, while Perfect Storm sat just 35 minutes ahead of them.

Another compressed group occurred around the middle of the fleet. Ragnar (Sunfast 3300) and Kick (Elliott 1050) finished only 5 minutes 33 seconds apart, a remarkably small margin considering the distance sailed.

The standout performance among the smaller boats came from C U Later, the Ross 8 sailed by Shaun Stinton and Shaun Grigg. At just eight metres in length, C U Later was the smallest boat in the entire fleet, yet completed the leg in 1d 15h 49m 59s after sailing 249 nautical miles, one of the longest distances recorded. Finishing 24th overall, the compact Ross 8 held its own against boats several metres longer and significantly faster on paper.

That result highlights one of the defining qualities of offshore racing: while design and size matter, determination, seamanship, and smart navigation can keep even the smallest boat competitive over hundreds of miles.

Highline, the Dufour 455 Grand Large raced by Andrew Mackmurdie and Jennifer Haliday, cross the finish line after 1 day 17 hours 39 minutes 52 seconds to be twenty-fifth with line honours, and 1 day 8 hours 59 minutes 54 to be twenty-fifth on PHRF. Highline is the final boat to finish Leg 3.

An excellent race by all the teams. Now teams take a well-earned rest as organisers confirm the start of Leg 4.

Hotdogger, the Ross 930 skippered by Nigel Bish and Sinisa ‘Sin’ Grujicic, cross the finish line after 1 day 8 hours 47 minutes 58 seconds in twentieth with line honours, and 1 day 1 hours 1 minutes 34 seconds on corrected ensuring a Division 4 win on PHRF, and tenth overall on PHRF.

Ragnar, the Sunfast 33 skippered by Brett Elliott and James Glidden, cross the finish line after 1 day 5 hours 2 minutes 17 seconds in ninth with line honours, and 23 hours 50 minutes 25 seconds on corrected ensuring a Division 3 win on PHRF, and fourth overall on PHRF.

Whichway, the Davidson 52 skippered by Bruce Gault and Craig McMillan, cross the finish line after 1 day 3 hours 56 minutes 55 seconds in fifth with line honours, and 1 day 44 minutes 4 seconds on corrected ensuring a Division 2 win on PHRF, and seventh overall on PHRF.

A mere two and a half minutes behind Motorboat III, the Verdier 40 Vixen Racing raced by Sharon Ferris-Choat and Taylor Edwards, cross the finish line in a time of 1 day 26 minutes 41 seconds. Third on line honours and second in Division 1 on PHRF.

Just ahead of Vixen Racing, Motorboat III, the Thompson 1150 raced by Damon Jolliffe and Josh Tucker, cross the finish line in a time of 1 day 23 minutes 41 seconds. The epic battle continued almost to the finish line. In fact you can see Vixen Racing almost directly behind as they, themselves, head towards the finish line. Motorboat III look at this moment in time to have taken PHRF Overall but we need to wait for the remainder of the fleet to confirm. If they have this is the second leg that they have taken PHRF Overall; Leg 1 from Waitematā Harbour to Mangōnui being the first leg (with Kick taking Leg 2.)

We can confirm that Motorboat III has taken Division 1 with PHRF handicap.

Congratulations to Damon and Josh.

Explore Racing, the Elliott 50 raced by William Goodfellow and Jesse Turner, cross the finish line just off the Port of Napier, 21 hours 57 minutes 36 seconds after Leg 3 of the 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race started.

Congratulations to William and Jesse on another standout sail. Three line honours wins out of three starts in this 2026 event. And third in Division 1 on PHRF.

Behind lie Vixen Racing and Motorboat III, about two hours behind, match-racing out for second and third on the line honours leaderboard; an epic battle that began as they started up the east coast of the lower North Island, making compelling watching on the tracker.

Explore Racing can be on the horizon seen out in the Bay. A black sail set against the unusually grey cloudy Hawke Bay morning sky. The sea state is flat as seen from the shoreline. The finish line is just off the Port of Napier. We’ve been working out the best aspect to take a photo from early this morning. We have been asked by a number of locals and Napier visitors what is going on, is it a race, is it a famous boat, why are there so many boats tracking up the coast?

Explore Racing looks to have just angled west to start its Hawke Bay journey. Behind Vixen Racing is only 1 nautical mile ahead of Motorboat III on line honours, but remains behind on the PHRF leaderboard.

The PHRF leaderboard remains the same except in Division 4, where Care Diem has taken the lead from L’Avanti.

Explore Racing is just shy of Cape Kidnappers and, as the fleet moves into lighter winds across Hawke Bay, speeds are expected to ease. The leader is now predicted to complete Leg 3 at 10:27am.

Behind them, the tight duel between Vixen Racing and Motorboat III continues. Vixen Racing still holds the advantage but is currently expected to cross the finish line only one minute ahead of Motorboat III, both will finish around 12:30 this afternoon.

The current PHRF leaderboard remains the same.

Explore Racing continues to lead as she nears Cape Kidnappers, described as a dramatic, sheer-sided sandstone headland named by Captain James Cook in 1769 following an attempted abduction of his crew member. William Goodfellow and Jesse Turner are expected to cross the finish line which lies just off the Port of Napier at 10:21 this morning.

Just under two hours and twenty minutes later, Vixen Racing and Motorboat III are set for a final sprint to the finish. The pair sit bow to bow on the tracker, with Motorboat III expected to finish only three minutes behind Vixen Racing. It is shaping up as a battle worth watching.

On overall PHRF, Motorboat III is in the lead with Vixen Racing just four minutes behind on corrected time.  Currently Explore Racing is expected to be third in Division 1 PHRF.

In Division 2 Whichway is a little under four hours ahead of Motorboat 2 on PHRF.

In Division 3, Ragnar is ahead. In the last half hour, Nicksen had lain in second but has just been passed by Kick. The close battle between Kick and Nicksen makes this Division PHRF results worth a closer look: on current corrected time there is a little over one minute separating the two.

L’Avanti is currently leading Carpe Diem in Division 4; half an hour ago there was less than a minute between the two on corrected time, but that gap has now stretched out to just under three minutes on corrected time.

Napier has departed from its usual crisp blue skies today, with cloud rolling in and locals expecting rain. Out in front, Explore Racing is predicted to experience about 13 knots of wind, 1.8-metre swells at 7.8-second intervals. These conditions will remain reasonably constant throughout the morning.

Explore Racing leads on line by a long shot, having recently rounded the southwest of the North Island and is now heading in a northerly direction towards the Wairarapa coast. Behind on line are three heavy-weights: Motorboat III, Vixen Racing, and Whichway. Not too far behind in fifth is General Lee, the Bakewell-White 37 sailed by Cameron Thorpe and Tim Holgate.

The boats are close. 157 nautical miles to the finish line for Explore Racing. 164 nautical miles for Motorboat III and Vixen Racing. 165 nautical miles for Whichway. Motorboat III, Vixen Racing, and Whichway are locked in a tight contest. Soon they too will be pointing northwards.

Explore Racing continues to be well in the lead with Motorboat III still in second place on line with Vixen Racing coming in third. Again this may well prove to be a close leg.

The overall PHRF leaders is now L’Avanti, followed by Indis and Ragnar. In this race if you give an inch, you might lose a mile.

Explore Racing continues to be well in the lead with Motorboat III having again taken second place on line with Vixen Racing coming in third.

The overall PHRF leaders remain Division 3, Ragnar and Indis, followed by Division 4 L’Avanti. All divisions leaderboard remain the same as we last looked.

This is our first look at the PHRF leaderboard. The overall PHRF leaders are Division 3, Ragnar and Indis, followed by Division 4 L’Avanti (I am feeling a sense of deja vu).

Division 1 PHRF leaders are Motorboat III followed by Vixen Racing.

Division 2 PHRF leaders are Whichway followed by the Dehler 41 Akonga skippered by Nick Roberts and Max Livingstone.

Division 3 PHRF leaders are the two Sunfast 3300’s Ragnar, skippered by Brett Elliott and James Glidden, and Indis, skippered by Andrew Benton and Andrew Hall. The Elliott 1050 Leg 2 PHRF leader, Kick, skippered by Brendan Sands and Andy Roff, is further back, currently in fourth.

Division 4 PHRF leaders are the Farr 1020 L’Avanti skippered by John and Richard Power, and the Elliott 10.66 Carpe Diem skippered by Rowan Smith and Lydia Boyd. The ever dangerous Motorboat 2, the Elliott 10.50 skippered by Alan Quere and Vincent Trinquet is further back than expected.

Explore Racing is well in the lead with Vixen Racing now in second dragging it out with Motorboat III, both still further towards the coastline than Explore Racing who has chosen to stay wider.

Explore Racing stays in the lead parallel to the entrance to Wellington Harbour. Motorboat III now lies in second place, further inwards towards the coastline. Vixen Racing is hot on on their tail in third, also further in towards the coastline. High 5 and Whichway make up the top five.

Explore Racing continues to lead after turning northeast to run along the Wellington coast, with Whichway following in second and Vixen Racing now in third. The ever dangerous Motorboat III sits close behind in fourth but closely matched by High 5, the Division 1 Cookson 47 skippered by Bernie and Thomas Hyde.

Explore Racing is now in the lead, with Whichway a little further back followed by Motorboat III. Vixen Racing, having gone out wider earlier is now catching up fast on the outside.

An hour into the race, Whichway holds a narrow lead, edging ahead of Explore Racing and Motorboat III.

Vixen Racing bears away to the east and is quickly followed by a tightly packed group: the Division 2 Azuree 46 Kayimai skippered by Karen Selway and Kevin Smith; the Division 2 Beneteau First 45 Catnip skippered by Geoff Thorn and Katie Mathison; the Division 3 Dehler 30OD Niksen skippered by Logan Fraser and Marc Michel; and the Division 2 Pogo 36 Pipi skippered by Steve Newcombe and Craig Parker.

They are joined by another Division 2 contender, Higher Ground, the Ross 1066 skippered by John Seely and Matthew Wilson; Division 4 entry Hotdogger, also a Ross 1066, skippered by Nigel Bish and Sinisa “Sin” Grujicic; and the Division 4 Ross 8 C U Later, skippered by Shaun Stinton and Shaun Grigg.

The fleet quickly splits into two distinct groups: one tracking lower and further east, the other holding closer to the Wellington coast.

10 minutes into the race and three Division 1 boats and two Divison 2 boats are in the lead. The Division 1 Elliott 50 helmed by William Goodfellow and Jesse Turner, Explore Racing, possibly a notch out in front, with Division 2 Whichway, the Davidson 52 with Bruce Gault and Craig McMillan, alongside, just slightly back. Out to starboard lies the Division 1 Verdier 40 Vixen Racing, skippered by Sharon Ferris-Choat and Taylor Edwards, furthest out of the top four, with Division 1 Motorboat III, the Thompson 1150 with Damon Jolliffe and Josh Tucker, lying in between Whichway and Vixen Racing. Division 2’s Focus, Elliott 1350 Tourer with Craig Fraser and Rob Croft, a little further back is bringing up the rear.

Leg 3 starts with a mass, full 26 fleet, start. Shortly afterwards, Kokomea, the First 40.7 skippered by Geoff Faulkner and Stu Morgan has retires from the Leg 3 race. The only note given by the crew is “Withdrawn”. Kokomea remains in Waikawa.

Yesterday the crews took a day’s rest after the completion of Leg 2: Mangōnui to Queen Charlotte Sound.

The third leg of the race is 220 nautical miles, slightly less than half that of Leg 2, and longer than Leg 1. It starts at 1pm this afternoon. The race will start just outside Tory Channel, taking the crews back across the Cook Strait, this time aiming for Napier.

Once crews complete the crossing, they will have to deal with what the organisers describe as “the notorious Wellington South Coast” where crews can choose to sail closer inshore with the tidal rips, or go wide to avoid the rips. The crews will point their bows towards Turakirae Head, from which they will pass windy Palliser Bay, and Ngawi to Cape Palliser. After this they head up the Wairarapa Coast passing Castle Point—which was recently featured in Boating New Zealand—and Cape Turnagain.

Outta the creek—Castlepoint, Wairarapa: A challenge

Finally, crews will race around Cape Kidnappers into Hawke Bay to finish off at Napier Harbour. There are plenty of eateries right there, where they will tie up.

The fleet starting from Charlotte Sound at 1pm today will face a lively opening stretch before conditions gradually ease as the race progresses north toward Napier.

At the start, crews can expect southeast winds around 19 knots, building to around 24 knots with gusts reaching 30 knots. The air temperature sits around 15°C under cloudy skies. Seas in the Sound remain relatively short and steep, running 0.7 to 1.4 metres at a short four second period, which may produce a choppy start as boats clear the Marlborough Sounds and enter Cook Strait waters. The tide will be near high water at 1:02pm, which should help boats exiting the Sound.

Once clear of Cook Strait and pushing up along the southwestern corner of the North Island during the late afternoon and evening, the fleet will encounter southerly winds between 17 and 21 knots, gusting into the mid twenties. Sea state increases here, with southerly swell building to around 2.3 metres at seven seconds. This section may prove demanding for smaller or slower boats, particularly if they encounter the steeper wave trains often found off the Taranaki Bight and the approaches toward Cape Egmont.

Through the overnight hours, conditions gradually moderate. Winds ease slightly to southerlies around 14 to 18 knots, with gusts up to around 22 knots. Seas remain around 2.2 metres but lengthen slightly to an eight second period, which should provide a steadier rhythm for the fleet settling into the long offshore leg.

By early tomorrow morning along the Wairarapa Coast, the weather pattern shifts. Winds swing west at 13 to 19 knots, with gusts into the low twenties. Seas drop to around 1.4 metres from the southwest, and skies clear for a time with some sunshine. This transition could produce a noticeable change in sailing angles as boats begin turning more toward the east coast of the North Island.

Later in the morning and early afternoon, the breeze backs further southwest around 11 to 17 knots, with moderate seas near 1.3 metres at nine seconds. This period may offer some of the most manageable conditions of the race, particularly for the faster boats expected to be pushing toward Hawke Bay during this window.

Through the afternoon approaching Napier, the breeze freshens again from the south, increasing to around 20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots, accompanied by 1.4 to 1.8 metre seas. Boats arriving during this time may find a firmer finish with pressure building along the coast.

Closer to Napier itself, conditions ease markedly. Winds drop to southeast 7 to 12 knots during the afternoon, decreasing further through the evening to around 6 to 9 knots with relatively calm seas around 0.5 metres. Boats finishing later into the evening or overnight will encounter increasingly light and variable breezes.

By Tuesday night and into Wednesday, winds become light and variable across Hawke Bay, generally between 2 and 9 knots, with calm seas and mild temperatures. Boats still racing at this stage may experience slower progress in the lighter conditions.

Overall, the race presents a strong opening phase with fresh southerlies and moderate swell, followed by gradually easing winds and seas along the east coast. The fastest boats are likely to benefit from the stronger early breeze, while slower competitors may encounter lighter and more tactical conditions closer to Napier.

Highline, the Dufour 455 Grand Large with Andrew Mackmurdie and Jennifer Haliday arrives in as the 25th crew to pass the finish line near Motuara Island in the Charlotte Sound. They completed the 480 nautical mile haul south from Doubtless Bay in 5 days 3 hours 33 minutes 12 seconds, a smidgen over 1 day and 22 hours after Explore Racing crossed the finish line.

Leg 2 has been a hugely watchable stretch of the race. Crews had an early strategic call to make once they reached the top of the North Island: push further west offshore, or turn immediately south and hug the coast.

The first night quickly tested those decisions. Crews faced strong winds pushing past 30 knots, with gusts reaching 37 knots. The sea state followed suit, with what sailors described as lumpy, bumpy swells climbing beyond three metres. It was a demanding night for a two handed fleet.

From there the conditions eased. The breeze settled and the leg shifted from survival mode into a fast run toward the finish, with crews looking for every puff of wind to squeeze out a few more tenths of a knot.

Given the weather thrown at them, the fact there has been only one retirement on this leg says a great deal about the resilience of the entire fleet. Every crew out there deserves a round of applause.

And once they tie up, probably a well earned drink or two as well.

Carpe Diem, the Elliott 10.66 skippered by Rowan Smith and Lydia Boyd, has crossed the finish line. Three days 1 hours 11 minutes 55 seconds on corrected time, and provisionally first in Division 4 PHRF results.

Pipi, the Pogo 36 skippered by Steve Newcombe and Craig Parker, has crossed the finish line. Two days 22 hours 54 minutes 5 seconds on corrected time, and provisionally first in Division 2 PHRF results.

Kick, the Elliott 1050 skippered by Brendan Sands and Ben Roff, has crossed the finish line. Two days 19 hours 6 minutes 46 seconds on corrected time, and provisionally first on overall PHRF results and first in Division 3 PHRF results. Congratulations!

High 5, the Cookson 47 skippered by Bernie Hyde and Thomas Hyde, has crossed the finish line for the second leg of the 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race. Three days 7 hours 39 minutes 10 seconds on elapsed time; and 3 days 2 hours 52 minutes 25 seconds on corrected time, and provisionally fourth in Division 1 PHRF results.

Motorboat III, the Thompson 1150 skippered by Damon Jolliffe and Josh Tucker, has crossed the finish line for the second leg of the 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race. A mere 10 minutes behind Explore Racing. Second place on line honours. Congratulations Motorboat III. Three days 5 hours 41 minutes 33 seconds on elapsed time; and 2 days 23 hours 37 minutes 57 seconds on corrected time, and provisionally first in Division 1 PHRF results.

At the time of writing, High 5, has 15 nautical miles before finish and is likely to finish in just over four hours time.

Explore Racing, Elliott 50 raced by William Goodfellow and Jesse Turner, has crossed the finish line for the second leg of the 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race. Congratulations Explore Racing. Three days 5 hours 11 minutes and 32 seconds on elapsed time; 3 days 9 hours 28 minutes 66 seconds on corrected time, and provisionally in fifth place on Division 1 PHRF results.

At the time of writing, Motorboat III, has 2 nautical miles before they finish the leg.

Taking a quick break from the 2026 Auckland Boat Show — which is looking fantastic this year and well worth a visit — I’ve checked in on the 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race.

The line honours battle is shaping into a real sprint to the finish.

Explore Racing is expected to reach the finish near Motuara Island with around 23 nautical miles remaining, likely crossing the line just after 4pm today.

Right behind them is Motorboat III, only one nautical mile further back at 25 nautical miles from the finish, and projected to arrive just over sixteen minutes later if the current pace holds. (That has slipped a little since before noon.)

On handicap, Kick continues to lead the PHRF standings, with Ragnar in second and Motorboat III sitting third. Motorboat III will be pushing hard in the final miles, hunting for every patch of pressure and any wind funnel that might shave seconds off the run to the line.

This finish is shaping into a very watchable finale.

What a difference the past nine hours has made. The fleet is more widespread and the lead boats are well-passed New Plymouth and Cape Egmont. By today’s end two or more boats will have finished Leg 2, from Mangonui to Motuara Island in Charlotte Sound, the longest leg of the course.

The tiny Ross 8, C U Later, skippered by Ben Stinton and Shaun Grigg remains furthest north and second in Division 4 PHRF. Highline, the Dufour 455 Grand Large with Andrew Mackmurdie and Jennifer Haliday furthest west and the closest neighbours (nearly 35 nauthical miles) to C U Later. L’Avanti, the Farr 1020 with John Power and Richard Power are furthest east, cruising along about 15 nautical miles off the Raglan coast and sitting third in Division 3.

Explore Racing, the Elliott 50 lies in furthest south. William Goodfellow and Jesse Turner have maintained the lead line honours position over night and are currently slightly south of the small inland Manawatu town of Marton. Explore Racing is aroud 226 nautical miles from the finish line at Motuara Island and are estimated to finish at about 04.30pm this afternoon.

Motorboat III, the Thompson 1150 skippered by Damon Jolliffe and Josh Tucker lies in second, followed by High 5, the Cookson 47 skippered by Bernie Hyde and Thomas Hyde. Motorboat III is likely to finish Leg 2 today, High 5 are close to the midnight finish line so it will be interesting to track.

On PHRF overall, Kick, the Elliott 1050 skippered by Brendan Sands and Ben Roff lies in first, Motorboat III in second, although there is only an hour and a half in it. Again another matchup to watch. Jolliffe and Tucker will want to win this leg on PHRF so will be pushing Motorboat III as much as possible.

Division 1 is lead by Motorboat III, followed by Perfect Storm, the Stomp 38 skippered by Ken and Lori Ormandy, and High 5, the Cookson 47 crewed by Bernie and Thomas Hyde. The real Division 1 battle lies between Explore Racing, currently fourth in Division 1 PHRF, and Vixen Racing the Verdier 40, skippered by Sharon Sharon Ferris-Choat and Taylor Edwards, with currently just over half an hour on corrected elapsed time.

In Division 2, there have been changes. Äkonga now lies in third place while Focus has moed into first. Pipi continues in second place. Just six minutes between the three crews. Exciting racing ahead for Division 2.

On corrected time, Division 3 leaders remain unchanged. Kick followed by Ragnar and then Niksen. Just nine or so minutes separate Ragnar and Niksen on estimated corrected time.

Division 4 remains. Carpe Diem remains in the lead. C U Later is now second with L’Avanti third. They are reasonably spread in time at the moment.

This is going to be an interesting day on the water. Will three crews cross the finish line before midnight? And how will the places change throughout today as the wind circles around the course.

The crews must now decide how far offshore to sail as they pass New Plymouth. As they round Cape Egmont, they will need to keep clear of the oil rigs while carefully reading the weather patterns shaping the leg ahead.

Closer to the coast the wind becomes far more variable, ranging from 3 to 11 knots, with 1.3 metre swells at 13 second intervals. Further offshore the breeze strengthens to around 8 to 10 knots, with slightly larger 1.5 metre swells running at the same 13 second period.

Only three hours until the race rolls into the fourth day of racing. The lead crews are slightly north of New Plymouth.

The western most boat is Ragnar sliding along at 7.2 knots in 8 to 9 knots of wind about 100 nautical miles northwest of New Plymouth. The northern most boat is C U Later, gliding at 5 knots about 180 nautical miles north-northwest of New Plymouth. L’Avanti is the eastern most boat, at 6 knots in 10 to13 knot winds she currently lies around 13 nautical miles west of Manukau Harbour and around 115 nautical miles north-northwest of New Plymouth. Out in front, the southern most entry is Explore Racing at 8.3 knots, around 53 nautical miles from New Plymouth.

Conditions are fair. Quite a different set of conditions to the last couple of days where crews, as Marc Michel from Niksen put it were “tough both with conditions in first 24-36 hours (wet and tough physically)” and now a “very much high stakes poker with weather and tactics now as we play snakes and ladders with the leading pack as we approach Taranaki.”

On line honours, Explore Racing remains in the lead, still further east than she was previously. Currently a little over three hours (reduced by two since this morning) ahead on elapsed time from Motorboat III. Both much further ahead than now third-placed Division 2 entry Focus, the Elliott 1350 Tourer co-skippered by Craig Fraser and Rob Croft.

On overall handicap, three Division 3 entries are leading. Kick followed by Ragnar and then Niksen. Just two minutes separate Ragnar and Niksen on estimated corrected time.

In Division 1 PHRF, Motorboat III maintains its lead. High 5 and Perfect Storm have swapped places since this morning with Perfect Storm now second, and High 5 in third. The spread between the three is between three and four hours each.

Similarly, Äkonga is first in Division 2, with second and third places swapping. Focus now leads Pipi, but only by 3 minutes on estimated corrected time.

Division 4 changes as well. Carpe Diem remains in the lead. C U Later is now second with L’Avanti third. Eleven minutes on estimated corrected time separates C U Later and L’Avanti.

Poker, chess. It’s all about strategy and tactics, trying to outguess your opponents, and not giving anything away.

Good morning! This is the third day of Leg 2, where the 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race started on Monday Mar 2 at 9am and will end at the top of the South Island, possibly the earliest by tomorrow.

Temperatures are cool ranging from 15 to 17 degrees. Winds are 5 to 6 knots further west, where Niksen, Pipi, and Äkonga are sailing; yet they have turned in an easterly direction to pickup the faster winds. Twelve to fourteen knots closer to the coast. Furthest west is Niksen,  around 160 nautical miles from the coast. Closest to shore is Higher Ground at around 21 nautical miles from the coast. There is 134 nautical miles lying between Niksen and Higher Ground, although Higher Ground is parallel with the greater Auckland, and Niksen is further south parallel with Raglan/Kawhia.

Wave action is at 1.6-metres every 10.3 seconds further out west where Niksen is racing, and 1.5-metres every 8 seconds further towards the coast with Higher Ground.

Some boats are cruising along at 1.x knots, Explore Racing is for example at 1.3 knots an hour, and Motorboat III has found the most speed at 6.4 knots.

On line honours, Explore Racing is in the lead, having almost come right across to the port side of the course after hanging out much further west on Day 2. Currently a little over 5 hours ahead on elapsed time from Motorboat III, and a further 3 or so hours ahead of Vixen Racing which is currently in third.

On overall handicap, Division 3’s Kick is leading Division 4’s Carpe Diem, both ahead of Division 2’s Indis. There is all but six minutes separating Carpe Diem and Indis at the moment.

In Division 1 PHRF, Motorboat III maintains its lead. High 5 is now second, followed by Perfect Storm in third. They are separated by three hours (give or take) each on estimated time. The spread between the three is significant.

Äkonga is first in Division 2, followed by Pipi and Focus, with just over an hour difference on estimated corrected time between Pipi and Focus.

In Division 3, Kick leads ahead of Indis and Ragnar, with almost an hour between Indis and Ragnar.

Division 4 changes as well. Carpe Diem has taken the lead, L’Avanti has moved into second while C U Later is third. The gaps between the three boats on estimated elapsed time are good.

This tactical game of offshore chess will continue throughout today.

Five hours until the end of the day 2 of the second leg. Crews must be exhausted by now. So far this leg has proven to be wild, windy—”lumpy” and “bumpy” is the words most crews have described it so far.

Explore Racing has chosen to come closer to the west coast rather than out further west. Although winds are stronger further west, 15 to 16 knots versus 14 to 15 knots closer to shore. There’s not much in the wave action either: 2.4-metres at 8 second intervals (much better than the overnight conditions) further west. 2.3-metres at just under 8 second intervals closer to the coast.

Higher Ground 35 nautical miles from the coast, the closest of the fleet. While Catnip is 131 nautical miles out to sea, the furthest west. The rest of the fleet has chosen a path somewhere in the middle. The majority around 119 nautical miles off the coast.

The First 40.7, Kokomea, co-skipped by Geoff Faulkner and Stu Morgan has retired with 305 nautical miles off the finish line. They’re currently making their way to New Plymouth with a note to say “All well onboard.”

Explore Racing has retaken the elapsed time lead from Motorboat III, but only just. There is five nautical miles in it. Vixen Racing lies in third, another eight nautical miles back. This game of chess will continue until the finish line.

On overall handicap, Division 3 Niksen is on top, followed by another two Division 3 entries, Ragnar and Indis. The gaps are close, a difference of four nautical minutes (estimated) between Niksen and Ragnar. They top the Division 3 PHRF leaderboard as well. Motorboat III is fourth on overall handicap, followed by Motorboat 2.

In Division 1 PHRF, Motorboat III maintains its lead. Vixen Racing is second, followed by Perfect Storm in third. They are separated by three hours (give or take) each on estimated time.

Another change in Division 2. Motorboat 2 has retaken the lead on PHRF during today. Äkonga lies in second about half an hour ahead of Whichway estimated time.

Division 4 changes as well. Start Me Up is ahead of Hotdogger, but only by four minutes (estimated), and they are both followed by L’Avanti, less than an estimated half an hour behind.

This has been a hard leg to date. PredictWind tells me the crews are still experiencing good winds: 8 to 25 knots but expected to decrease to 17 knots after 9pm, with gusts continuing between to 30 and 31 knots. As they sail south conditions will improve—and that can only bring less lumps and bumps, and more sleep.

They’re all doing amazingly well. And soon that finish line will be in sight… just not quite yet.

Good morning. It’s a cool 11-degree morning here over in the Coromandel. Over on the west of New Zealand where the fleet continues its race south, temperatures are closer to 20 degrees. The further west the lighter the winds; both the Elliott 10.66, Carpe Diem, co-skippered by Rowan Smith and Lydia Boyd and the Ross 1066, Higher Ground, co-skippered by John Seely and Matthew Wilson have adjusted their line further east towards the coast where winds are up to 21 knots instead of the 14 knots further west where Explore Racing is positioned. Currently their positioned in 11th and 23rd, respectively, on corrected time. Let’s see if their change in line helps them pick up pace.

The bulk of the fleet have gone wider west than I had originally anticipated. Motorboat III remains in the lead on elapsed time. On the visual Explore Racing looks to be in the front of the fleet, but Motorboat III has hugged the line more closely and therefore are closer to the finish line overall. Explore Racing, in second on elapsed time, are 13 nautical miles distant from the finish line. Vixen Racing, Ragnar and Whichway have all equally 15 nautical miles distant from the finish line; only 2 nautical miles difference, and then Niksen and Indis another 2 nautical miles behind, followed by Perfect Storm. The rest of the fleet is separated by one, two or three nautical miles apart. Brilliant overnight racing to stay in the race.

On Handicap, Motorboat III has improved by three places on PHRF overall and now sits in fourth place on corrected time, behind Ragnar, Indis, and Niksen.

In Division 1 PHRF, Motorboat III maintains its lead, as does second-placed Perfect Storm.

Another change in Division 2. Whichway has taken the lead on PHRF overnight, followed by Äkonga and Pipi. Motorboat 2 has lost a little ground and now sits in fourth on PHRF.

Division 3 changes. Ragnar is now leading, followed by Indis and then Niksen. Division 4 changes. Hotdogger is back in the lead, followed by Start Me Up, and Carpe Diem.

An update from Perfect Storm.

The entire fleet is angling further west into the Tasman Sea. Motorboat III still remains closest to the coastline. They are getting minimally more wind speed than boats further west. Explore Racing may be getting the least amount of wind: at Wind-100 metres on YB, Motorboat III is getting 25.1 knots while Explore Racing, the furthest West is getting 23.7 knots.

Motorboat III‘s remains in the lead on elapsed time, with Explore Racing in second and Whichway — now ahead of Vixen Racing — in third. coastline path has not hurt their position. Motorboat III currently appear significantly ahead, four-plus hours which they will need if they want to improve their PHRF leaderboard position. Currently in seventh on the over PHRF standings, Motorboat III must improve their corrected time to move ahead of L’Avanti, Hotdogger, Start Me Up, Carpe Diem, Indis, and C U Later, as measured from the start of the leg.

In Division 1 PHRF, Motorboat III maintains its lead, as does second-placed Perfect Storm.

Another change in Division 2. While Äkonga continues to lead on PHRF, and Motorboat 2 remains in second place and Whichway now lies in third. Whichway must have only just passed Pipi on corrected time as there is just over 20 seconds difference between both.

Division 3 changes. Indis stays ahead on corrected time but Niksen has slid into second ahead of Ragnar with barely four minutes difference on corrected time. Division 4 remains the same with L’Avanti followed by Hotdogger and then Start Me Up, but those time gaps are widening.

Visually the fleet is separated into four groups — if you can call an individual boat a group? — Motorboat III by itself closer to the west coast of the North Island, Explore Racing further out to the Tasman Sea, then a group of three boats — High 5, Whichway and Vixen Racing — and then a little further back the remainder of the fleet, a little more bunched together.

So far, Motorboat III‘s coastline path has not hurt their position. They remain ahead on elapsed time and about seven nautical miles ahead than Explore Racing. The wind is fluctuating but Motorboat III are in the stronger wind position, 20.8 knots versus 19.8 knots for Explore Racing. It could be argued there’s nothing in it. But yet…

Vixen Racing has taken back third on elapsed time. Whichway is fourth and Indis fallen back to fifth.

PHRF overall the leaderboard has remained unchanged since the last update. L’Avanti, Hotdogger and Start Me Up, measured from the start.

In Division 1 PHRF, Motorboat III continues to lead second-placed Perfect Storm.

Another change in Division 2. Akonga still leads on PHRF, but Motorboat 2 has resumed second place while Pipi now lies in third. There is three minutes of corrected time between Motorboat 2 and Pipi.

Division 3, Indis is remains ahead of Ragnar on corrected time and the gap remains similar to the 45 minute gap from an hour ago. At the moment, Division 4 still stands at L’Avanti followed by Hotdogger and then Start Me Up.

Motorboat III continues its course west but still remains at the head of the overall leaderboard on elapsed time. Explore Racing has taken the much wider, more-west route and consequently has picked up speed: right now they’re racing along at 12.4 knots versus Motorboat III’s 8.0 knots.

Indis remains in third on elapsed time. Division 3, Niksen, the Dehler 30OD co-skippered by Logan Dixon and Marc Michel has picked up pace and has passed Ragnar on line to be in fourth position.

PHRF overall the leaderboard has remained unchanged since the last update. L’Avanti, Hotdogger and Start Me Up, measured from the start.

In Division 1 PHRF, Motorboat III still leads second-placed Perfect Storm.

Another change in Division 2. Akonga has taken the PHRF lead. Pipi now lies in second with Motorboat 2 in third. There is a five minute corrected time between Pipi and Motorboat 2.

Division 3, Indis is remains ahead of Ragnar on corrected time and the gap remains similar to the 45 minute gap from an hour ago. At the moment, Division 4 continues to be the matchup to watch for now. L’Avanti followed by Hotdogger and then Start Me Up.

Motorboat III are now changing course to also head further west off the coast. The initial southward drive may have paid off as Motorboat III are currently in the lead on line honours. They’ve sailed the less than Explore Racing and have less nautical miles until the finish. But the change of line might form a different outcome in an hour or two. How far west will they go?

Indis has replaced Vixen Racing to now lie in third. Explore Racing lies in second. Three of the first four boats are from Division 1, only Indis from Division 3 breaks the streak.

PHRF overall the leaderboard has reshaped significantly. Motorboat III is no longer in the lead. At the top the Farr 1020, L’Avanti, is ahead of the two Ross 930s, Hotdogger and Start Me Up. All three are Division 4 entries. The conditions suiting the smaller, lighter boats well.

In Division 1 PHRF, Motorboat III lead second-placed Perfect Storm—replacing Vixen Racing, which has fallen further back. The corrected time gap is quite wide between Motorboat III and Perfect Storm.

And an upset too in Division 2. Motorboat 2 has been replaced as overall PHRF leader by Pipi. Currently there is only a half hour gap between the two.

Division 3, Indis is now ahead of Ragnar on corrected time and the gap has increased since an hour ago. At the moment, Division 4 seems to be the most intriguing matchup. L’Avanti has replaced Hotdogger to lead Division 4 on corrected time, but half an hour back lies Hotdogger and half an hour further back is Start Me Up.

Interesting all the fleet, bar Motorboat III, has choosen to head wider west rather than to turn south to hug in closer to the coastline. Motorboat III has chosen the coastline route. Crews are choosing their lines very carefully. There is a long night ahead.

No changes to the line honours leaderboard. None of the three leading crews, Explore Racing, Motorboat III, or Vixen Racing, seem to have gained or lost time. The gaps have remained constant.

PHRF overall leaderboard is Motorboat III, followed by Ragnar, then Indis. No changes since our last update.

In Division 1 PHRF, Motorboat III still lead second-placed Vixen Racing, but still that half hour corrected time gap remains. Motorboat 2 continues as PHRF leader in Division 2. Pipi still follows. ,

Division 3, Ragnar and Indis, are still close racing; that earlier three minutes corrected time gap is still there. Hotdogger remains in front in Division 4.

My earlier question is now beginning to be answered. It looks for the moment that there will be a split route. Some, like Explore Racing, opting to head out further west; others, like Motorboat III, who seem to be turning south earlier. Time will tell which is the best option.

Explore Racing and Motorboat III continue to lead the rest of the pack on elapsed time. Vixen Racing is putting a gap between their third position and the remainder of the fleet.  Vixen Racing seems, at this moment, to be following Explore Racing for cleaner air.

PHRF overall leaderboard is Motorboat III, followed by Ragnar, then Indis.

In Division 1 PHRF, Motorboat III still lead second-placed Vixen Racing, but there seems to be half an hour in it on corrected time. Motorboat 2 continues as PHRF leader in Division 2, still followed by  Pipi. Read the story of Steve Newcombe and Pipi.

Division 3, Ragnar and Indis, are still close racing; that earlier three minutes corrected time gap remains. Hotdogger remains in front in Division 4.

Explore Racing looks to have reached the north-west corner at the top of the North Island. Will they continue west or will they turn south? This is the question most crews will be asking themselves. They’ll be looking at a southerly of about 15–20 knots with gusts up to 26 knots.

Very little change in the positioning in terms of division leaders.

In Division 1 PHRF, Motorboat III still lead with Vixen Racing now sitting in second. The earlier Division 2 leader, Motorboat 2 continues but now with Pipi, the Pogo 36 co-skippered by Steve Newcombe and Craig Parker, moving into second on corrected time. You can read the story of Steve Newcombe and Pipi on Boating New Zealand.

Division 3, Ragnar and Indis, are close racing. Ragnar significantly in front on line, Indis only three minutes behind on corrected time. Hotdogger remains in front in Division 4.

Pogo 36

Most of the fleet is now sailing along the top most point of the North Island. The Farr 1020, L’Avanti, skippered by John Power and Richard Power, and the Dufour 455 Grand Large, Highline, co-skippered by Andrew Mackmurdie and Jennifer Haliday, are following up the rear of the main group, both still to turn west.

Explore Racing continues to lead. Followed by Motorboat III. The Vixen Racing.

At the moment PHRF overall is Hotdogger, followed by Ragnar, then Motorboat III. Division 1 leader on PHRF is Motorboat III with Explore Racing close behind. Division 2 leader on PHRF is Motorboat 2 with Focus , the Elliot 1350 Tourer co-skippered by Craig Fraser and Rob Croft. This is close racing.

Ragnar, Brett Elliott and James Glidden’s Sunfast 3300, is showing her Magic and is currently leading Division 3 on PHRF and is currently expected to lead Division 3 at the finish line. Hotdogger, Nigel Bish and Sinisa ‘Sin’ Grujicic’ Ross 930, currently has a healthy estimated finish time ahead of Start Me Up, Harri Wren and Peron Pearse’s Ross 930.

Explore Racing continues to lead. At 1.00pm they have rounded North Cape and now race west along the Takapaukura / Tom Bowling Bay. Motorboat III is just over 1 nautical mile further behind. This is close racing. They’re experiencing 18 to 22 knot winds with a 1.8-metre swell at 2.3 seconds.

General Lee lies west of North Cape and has decisively taken third position, around 5 nautical miles behind Explore Racing. Vixen Racing under 1 nautical mile behind General Lee. General Lee has taken the wider line, further east. Both taking 18 to 21 knots of wind with 1.8-metre swells at 1.3 seconds. It’ll be a little rough out there.

Explore Racing leads just south of North Cape with Motorboat III a little further behind. The remainder of the fleet are starting to spread, yet that race for third position remains close. Perfect Storm has fallen a little further back and Motorboat 2 has increased its pace. General Lee, Motorboat 2 (the Elliot 1050 raced by Alan Quere and Vincent Trinquet), and Vixen Racing are all vying for that third position.

Explore Racing continues to lead with Motorboat III lying in second position. Both clear of the remainder of the fleet. Third place looks to be a tight battle between the Verdier 40 co-skippered by Sharon Ferris-Choat and Taylor Edwards in Vixen Racing (@VixenRacing), Perfect Storm, and General Lee (@MightyGeneralLee) the Bakewell-White 37 co-skippered by Cameron Thorpe and Tim Holgate.

One hour into Leg 2 of the 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race, William Goodfellow and Jesse Turner lead in the Elliott 50, Explore Racing — progressing at 8.8 knots. Leg 1 corrected time leaderboard champion, Motorboat III, a Thompson 1150 sailed by Damon Jolliffe and Josh Tucker lies in second at 8.3 knots. Third is Perfect Storm, the Stomp 38 co-skippered by Ken and Lori Ormandy, sailing along at 7.9 knots.

The wind is between 15 to 18 knots SSW, and wave action is 1.2 metres SSW every 3 seconds. Fair weather for racing.

You don’t often come across Stomp 38s, so I thought I’d take a look to see what Perfect Storm is capable of. You can see the crew racing along in the race below. @PerfectStorm

Designed by TBoats which is based out of the Hauraki Gulf, TBoats describe the Stomp 38 as a lightweight 11.58m offshore racer capable of matching many 40 footers upwind while delivering powerful downwind speed. Displacing just 1,740 kg, with nearly 100 sqm upwind and 227 sqm downwind sail area, it offers strong pointing ability and genuine planing performance. A deep keel with optional trim tab enhances lift to windward, while the articulating carbon prod drives fast asymmetric running. Built for IRC and PHRF racing, it suits full crews or short handed offshore campaigns.

Leg 2, starting from Mangōnui, Doubtless Sound, and ending in Queen Charlotte Sound. All 26 crews are back on the line, with Äkonga having rejoined the fleet in time for the start.

Leg 2 of the 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race is said to start on Monday 2 March at 9.00am. This leg is where the tone shifts. This is the long 480 nautical mile haul south. 212% longer the Leg 1. That’s a whole lot more exposure, strategising and fatigue.

But will the leg reshape the leaderboard?

In 2023, Wired crewed by Andrew Duff and Chris Bassett, flipped the switch and took the Leg 2 overall line honours and overall handicap lead from Equilibrium.

In 2020, Wired crewed by Angus and Chris Bassett maintained their Leg 1 win on overall line honours in Leg 2, but Clockwork lost its overall Leg 1 handicap leadership to Mr Kite, a Cape 40 canting keel carbon fibre racing yacht, co-skippered by Nathan Williams and Craig Satterthwaite — but only by a little under one-and-a-half minutes.

After regrouping in Mangōnui overnight, the fleet will start off the harbour entrance and clear Doubtless Bay before turning toward North Cape. From there, they round both North Cape and Cape Reinga, the northern tip of Aotearoa, before making a key decision around Pandora Bank. Inside or outside. It is rarely straightforward, and tidal flow can make or break that call.

Once past the top, the fleet commits to the Tasman Sea and heads south past Cape Egmont towards the top of Cook Strait before entering Queen Charlotte Sound, and finishing in the outer sound near Motuara Island. From there they cruise a further 18 nautical miles to Waikawa where they will have a chance to sleep and relax.

For readers tracking the race, this leg is rich in tactical layers. Pandora Bank routing, the tidal gates at the top, positioning off Cape Egmont, and Cook Strait timing will all influence corrected time outcomes. Small decisions mean alot over 480 miles.

The first part of Leg 2 does not look like it will be a pleasant ride for the crews.

Leg 2 opens under mostly fine skies with light southerlies overnight in Mangōnui, 5 to 13 knots and slight 0.5m seas. Conditions build steadily through the morning. Off Cape Reinga, expect southerlies rising to 19 knots with gusts to 25 knots and a 1.8m south west swell. By afternoon down the west coast, winds strengthen further to 20 to 28 knots, gusting above 30 knots near Poutū Peninsula, with seas pushing past 3 metres. Into the evening near Manukau, strong southerlies persist at 23 to 29 knots with gusts to 37 knots and a solid 3 metre sea running. How wide will the crews need to or even want to sail?

We also expect Äkonga to have rejoined the fleet after completing repairs at Marsden Cove. Their return adds another dimension to the contest as the race stretches into true offshore mode.

This is where the Round North Island race will start to feel very real.

After a hard-fought leg, the crews will enjoy an evening dinner and prizegiving hosted by the Mangōnui Cruising Club.

After retiring during Leg 1, Äkonga has “smashed out repairs” overnight, and is currently making haste to Mangōnui to rejoin the fleet and take on Leg 2.

Line Honours

Highline crosses the finish line to complete Leg 1 of the 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht race. 8 hours and 51 mintues behind the first crew over the line, Explore Racing.

Explore Racing fastest to Mangōnui as Motorboat III claims handicap honours in Leg 1 of the 2026 Doyle Sails RNI Race

With just one entry, Highline, to complete Leg 1 of the 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht race, we thought we’d take a look forwards to the start of Leg 2.

Leg 2, a 476 nautical mile race from Mangōnui to Waikawa (found at the top of the South Island), will be a mass start but only at the discretion of the Race Officer, a 24 hours minimum after 60% of the yachts have finished. Hotdogger being the 16th boat to reach Mangonui as my guide; they arrived at 06.56am Sunday Mar 1 which suggests the race will start no earlier than Monday Mar 2 at 06.57am.

6 hours 8 minutes 39 seconds after Explore Racing completed Leg 1, Hotdogger, the Ross 930 co-skippered by Nigel Bish and Sinisa ‘Sin’ Grujicic, finished the race. Although 16th on overall line honours, they finished first in Division 4. Their corrected time of 15 hours 38 minutes 33 seconds puts them only 29 minutes and 27 seconds ahead of Harri Wren and Peron Pearse’s Ross 930, Start Me Up. This too will be an intriguing battle to watch.

16 hours 11 minutes 42 seconds after the race started in Waitematā Harbour, Motorboat 2 the Elliott 10.50 co-skippered by Alan Quere and Vincent Trinquet provisionally cross the Mangōnui finish line on corrected time. This places them first on line honours and corrected time in Division 2.

In Division 3, Ragnar the Sunfast 3300 co-skippered by Brett Elliott and James Glidden is showing what she’s got out on the race course. Coming in fifth on line overall in Leg 1, 3 hours 44 minutes behind Explore Racing, Ragnar is pushing those in higher divisions — it’s a pleasure to track!

She sits only 17 minutes 45 seconds behind the PHRF overall leader, Motorboat III, though that margin offers little comfort. Indis, the second Sunfast 3300 in the fleet, co skippered by Andrew Benton and Andrew Hall and also racing in Division 3, is just 5 minutes 40 seconds adrift of Ragnar on corrected time.

This will be an gripping contest to follow across the next three legs.

Although Damon Jolliffe and Josh Tucker’s Thompson 1150, Motorboat III, complete the Waitematā-Mangōnui leg 1 hour and 20 minutes after Explore Racing blistering run, they take Leg 1 honours on handicap. On PHRF they finish Leg 1 to Mangōnui first overall and first in Division 1, posting a provisional corrected time of 14 hours 52 minutes 24 seconds. This is just 59 seconds shy of the 14 hours 51 minutes 25 second time set by Motorboat 2 in the 2019 Round New Zealand race.

On provisional elapsed time they stopped the clock at 16 hours 17 minutes 54 seconds. A cracking time in itself.

This is definitely a crew to watch as they tackle the second leg of the race.

Explore Racing, the Elliot 50 co-skippered by William Goodfellow and Jesse Turner, are first to cross the finish time at Mangōnui at a provisional elapsed time of 14 hours 47 minutes and 38 seconds. A result faster than the preceeding three RNIs and one worth checking against the record books. This result places them first on line honours overall and in Division 1.

Explore Racing will cross the Mangōnui finish line in 15 nautical miles estimated to be a little after 11:45pm this evening; with a VMG of 11.4 knots their estimated elapsed time is 13 hours 47 minutes 56 seconds. At this stage in the race it looks like Explore Racing will beat the 2023, 2020 and 2019 (Round New Zealand) leg 1 elapsed times.Motorboat III is nine nautical miles further behind with Vixen Racing another five nautical miles behind. Ragnar and General Lee continue to race neck-and-neck, both looking to arrive just after 2.00am. At this moment it looks as though Ragnar will be slightly in ahead. But this is close racing.

Around thirty minutes back, Indis, Motorboat 2, and High 5 are locked in a tight battle of their own.

On handicap Ragnar is in the lead and will finish with a corrected time estimated at the moment to be 13 hours 10 minutes and 1 second—over an hour ahead of Motorboat II‘s corrected time in 2019 (Round New Zealand)—followed by Motorboat III, and Indis. Vixen Racing and Motorboat 2 is over a little more than half a minute apart on corrected time.

Nine hours into the race, on line honours the top 12 boats have crossed half the distance to Mangōnui Harbour. The top three: Explore Racing, Motorboat III, and Vixen Racing with very close racing between the later two. They are making good time, with Explore Racing currently expected (YB forecasted) to cross the Mangōnui finish line just after 11pm this evening after racing just over 13 hours.On line fifth, sixth and seventh, High 5, General Lee, and Indis are racing neck-to-neck.

On handicap Ragnar is in the lead, followed by Motorboat III, and Indis.

Looking back to the 2023 race, Equilibrium finished the first leg in 25 hours 05 minutes 17 seconds (on line), and 26 hours 10 minutes 01 seconds (on honours).

In 2020, Wired finished the first leg in 16 hours 14 minutes 34 seconds (on line), with Clockwork (now General Lee but with different co-skippers) ahead on handicap with a corrected time of 16 hours 18 minutes 39 seconds.

In the 2019 Round New Zealand Race, Motorboat II completed the leg on an elapsed time of 17 hours 14 minutes 07 seconds and a corrected time of 14 hours 51 minutes 25 seconds.

Boats are gathering around the 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race start line, settling into the conditions and sizing up the competition.