Crews racing in Leg 2 of the 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race are now approaching the Taranaki coast, where the next major strategic decision awaits as the fleet prepares to round Cape Egmont.
By Wednesday evening the leading boats were positioned just north of New Plymouth, with the race entering its fourth day in markedly calmer conditions after the demanding start to the leg.
Earlier in the race sailors described the opening 24 to 36 hours as physically punishing. Marc Michel from the Dehler 30D Niksen summed it up bluntly, calling it “tough both with conditions in first 24–36 hours, wet and tough physically”. Now the contest has shifted to strategy.
“It’s very much high stakes poker with weather and tactics now as we play snakes and ladders with the leading pack as we approach Taranaki.”
The fleet remains widely spread across the Tasman Sea. Ragnar, the Sunfast 3300 sailed by Brett Elliott and James Glidden sits furthest west, sailing about 100 nautical miles northwest of New Plymouth in 8 to 9 knots of breeze. The northernmost boat is C U Later, the little Ross 8 with Ben Sinton and Shaun Grigg at the helm, roughly 180 nautical miles north northwest of the city. Closer to shore, L’Avanti the Farr 1020 sailed by John Power and Richard Power lies about 13 nautical miles west of Manukau Harbour in stronger coastal breeze.
Out in front, the Elliott 50 Explore Racing, skippered by William Goodfellow and Jesse Turner, continues to lead on line honours. The boat is about 53 nautical miles north of New Plymouth and holding a lead of a little over three hours on elapsed time ahead of the Thompson 1150 Motorboat III skippered by Damon Jolliffe and Josh Tucker. The Elliott 1350 Focus skippered by Craig Fraser and Rob Croft currently holds third on the water.
Motorboat III and the call of the Round North Island Yacht Race
As the fleet approaches Cape Egmont, routing decisions will become critical. Boats hugging the coastline face far more variable winds of between 3 and 11 knots with 1.3 metre swells. Further offshore the breeze is steadier at around 8 to 10 knots, although seas are slightly larger at around 1.5 metres. Crews must also remain clear of the oil rigs located off the Taranaki coast.
On handicap the battle remains tight. Division 3 boats currently dominate the overall PHRF standings with Kick the Elliott 1050 skippered by Brendan Sands and Ben Roff leading, followed closely by Ragnar, the Sunfast 3300 crewed by Brett Elliott and James Glidden, and Niksen. Just two minutes separate the latter two on estimated corrected time.
Within Division 1, Motorboat III continues to lead on PHRF ahead of Perfect Storm, the Stomp 38 sailed by Ken and Lori Ormandy, and High 5 the Cookson 47 with Bernie Hyde and Thomas Hyde. Division 2 sees Äkonga, the Dehler 41 skippered by Nick Roberts and Max Livingstone, in front, while Focus, the Elliott 1350 Tourer with Craig Fraser and Rob Croft, and Pipi the Pogo 36 helmed by Steve Newcombe and Craig Parker remain locked in a close fight behind.
In Division 4, Carpe Diem the Elliott 10.66 helmed by Rowan Smith and Lydia Boyd, leads with C U Later second and L’Avanti third.
With Cook Strait still ahead, the race remains wide open. Tactical choices made around Taranaki could yet reshape the leaderboard before the fleet reaches Queen Charlotte Sound.
