By PIC Coastal Classic
Entries are now open for the 2026 PIC Coastal Classic, one of New Zealand’s most iconic offshore passage races.
For more than 40 years, sailors have lined up off Auckland and pointed their bows north toward the Bay of Islands, knowing the race will always deliver something different – a fast reach, a tactical grind, or something in between.
It’s a race defined not just by competition, but by the passage itself. Leaving the city behind, settling into the rhythm of the boat, and making your way up one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in the country.
Whether you’re chasing silverware, aiming for a personal best, or simply looking forward to a rewarding sail north with your mates, the Coastal Classic delivers a uniquely New Zealand offshore experience.
The PIC Coastal Classic attracts a wide mix of boats – from high-performance campaigners to cruising crews. Photos / Live Sail Die
Commodore Adrian Percival of the NZ Multihull Yacht Club, which organises the PIC Coastal Classic, says the race has become a fixture of the sailing calendar because of its variety and character.
“The Coastal Classic continues to reel sailors in because it offers something for everyone – every year is different, and the feeling of making landfall in Russell after the run north never changes,” he said.
The race attracts a wide mix of boats, from high-performance campaigners through to cruising crews taking on their first Coastal Classic, all sharing the same coastline and destination.
“Crew have more influence than they think. If you’re keen to do the PIC Coastal Classic, now might be the time to start reminding the skipper. Sometimes that’s all it takes,” says Percival.
The 2026 PIC Coastal Classic starts on 23 October, with entries now open to both racing and cruising yachts.
For more information or to enter, click here.
Originally published by Yachting New Zealand.
