2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island two-handed race: Meet the fleet

With just hours to go until the start of the 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island two-handed race (RNI) on Saturday, excitement is building as 26 teams prepare to tackle this iconic event. 

For many sailors, the RNI is a lifetime goal and a bucket-list achievement. The last race, held in 2023, saw the Shorthanded Sailing Association of New Zealand (SSANZ) expertly navigate last-minute rerouting due to Cyclone Gabrielle, ensuring the event's success.

That year, Andrew Duff and Chris Bassett aboard Wired claimed victory, finishing in 6 days, 19 hours, 36 minutes, and 38 seconds, also winning on PHRF by less than an hour from second-place Whichway (Bruce Gault and David Brooke). While Wired won't be competing this year, Whichway is back, with Gault now joined by Craig McMillan, aiming for another tilt at the title.

With four challenging legs - spanning 1,210 nautical miles from Auckland to Mangonui, Waikawa, Napier, and back to Auckland - the fleet has clocked countless hours in preparation. 

Here's a look at the 26 teams set to take on the 2026 challenge:

C U LATER

Ben Sinton and Shaun Grigg line up for the 2026 Round North Island Race aboard Ross 8C U Later. Both experienced offshore sailors, they bring a steady, competitive approach to the 1,200-mile lap of the North Island. They may be in a small boat, but they'll be ones to watch around the course.

PIPI 

Steve Newcombe returns for his fourth Round North Island on Pogo 36 Pipi, his third RNI on a different boat, continuing a long-standing commitment to SSANZ racing and two-handed sailing. Sailing alongside Craig Parker, who grew up racing and cruising on his father's trimaran before owning and campaigning his own boats over the past 15 years, the pair bring a mix of experience, enthusiasm, and genuine love for offshore racing. After an epic time during the SSANZ Northern Triangle last year, they're keen to step things up again and take on the full lap, ready to see what RNI 2026 delivers.

WHICHWAY

Bruce Gault has owned Whichway, a Davidson 52, since 2020, carrying out a major refit before competing in the 2023 RNI. Since then, she's spent extended winters cruising the Pacific, and Gault is back again, hoping this is the year he completes the full lap around the North Island. Joining him is Craig McMillan, a long-time racer and cruiser of the upper North Island, with offshore experience that includes a Sydney-Hobart, Middle Sea Race, an Atlantic crossing, and a Panama transit. Together they're aiming for a solid, enjoyable run around the course.

VIXEN RACING

Sharon Ferris-Choat brings a depth of experience that spans Olympic campaigns, the Volvo Ocean Race, offshore records, and leadership at the very top of professional sailing, alongside a long-standing commitment to developing women in the sport. Through the Vixen Racing Academy, she has helped build a programme focused on real offshore racing, responsibility, and leadership at sea. Sailing with her is Taylor Edwards, a Yachtmaster Cruising Instructor and commercially endorsed skipper with a hands-on background in boatbuilding, rigging, and engineering. With miles logged across the South Pacific, Mediterranean, Chilean and New Zealand fiords, and a winter Tasman crossing under his belt, Edwards adds practical offshore experience, calm execution, and a strong coaching mindset as the pair take on the challenge together on this impressive Verdier.

START ME UP

Harri Wren grew up sailing dinghies in Auckland before finding her niche on keelboats through the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's youth training programme (YTP) and is now known for sharp sail changes and strong planning. She sails regularly on the Ker 40 Minerva in Sydney and returns with Peron Pearse for her second RNI, aiming for a smoother full lap this time. Pearse grew up dinghy sailing in Western Australia before moving to New Zealand for the YTP. Twelve years on, he’s still here. Since his move across the ditch, he’s built a solid mix of inshore and offshore miles, including a highlight of the Groupama Race on Clockwork, and now balances sailing with a career flying helicopters.

CARPE DIEM

Having raced keelboats in Auckland and along the Australian coast, Rowan Smith brings a solid background in two-handed sailing to Carpe Diem, an Elliott 10.66 he’s campaigned for several years. He’s joined by Lydia Boyd, who completed the Northern Triangle aboard the boat last year and returns for her first RNI. After plenty of miles in the past couple of years, the pair are looking forward to taking on the next challenge around the North Island.

PHYSICAL FAVOURS

Ryan McCready lines up on Physical Favours with a reputation for confidence, optimism, and a willingness to trust the plan, whatever that happens to be at the time. Sailing alongside Andrew Child, the pair combine McCready's enthusiasm with Child’s calm, experienced approach offshore. Together, they bring a balance of competitiveness and good humour to the race, backed by solid seamanship and a shared commitment to getting the boat around the island. Ready for the challenge, they’re looking forward to seeing what the RNI throws at them next.

PERFECT STORM

No stranger to discomfort, Ken Ormandy returns for his third lap of the North Island aboard Perfect Storm, bringing years of shorthanded offshore racing and previous RNIs with him. Joined by wife Lori, the pair have spent the past three years upgrading, refining, and learning the boat together, building miles through SSANZ racing, the Northern Triangle, and longer offshore tests. Better prepared, better equipped, and keen for a very different experience than the last upwind-heavy edition, they’re lining up ready to see what this RNI delivers.

NIKSEN

With a strong background in youth, match, and offshore racing, Logan Fraser returns aboard Niksen looking to add another lap of the North Island to his sailing miles. Having completed the previous two editions of the RNI along with Tasman crossings and a two-handed Sydney-Hobart, he’s joined by co-owner Marc Michel, whose extensive blue-water experience spans oceans, classics, and double-handed offshore racing. Well-practised together and no strangers to the demands of short-handed sailing, the pair are lining up ready for another full lap.

MOTORBOAT III

On paper, Damon Jolliffe and Josh Tucker probably know better. With nine RNIs between them already and a long history of offshore misadventure, they line up again aboard Motorboat III, fully aware of what the race entails. Equal parts experience and questionable decision-making, the pair bring serious sea miles, a well-earned reputation, and a highly optimised, fine-tuned campaign.

KICK

Lining up for his third lap of the North Island, Brendan Sands returns aboard Kick, an Elliott 1050 he’s spent the past eight years tuning and refining. This time, he’s joined by Ben Roff, coming off a recent Northern Triangle campaign and stepping into his first RNI after building experience through coastal and offshore racing. With experience on one side and a first RNI on the other, the pair are hoping this edition delivers a full lap and a little less west coast punishment.

KAYIMAI

With decades of racing, cruising, and offshore miles behind them, Karen Selway and Kevin Smith bring a broad mix of experience to their RNI campaign aboard Kayimai. Purchased in Australia in 2023 and sailed across the Tasman, the Azuree 46 marks a shift toward longer two-handed adventures while still enjoying the performance side of sailing. Drawn by the challenge and the shared experience, they’re lining up to see what a full lap of the North Island delivers.

MOTORBOAT II

Drawn from very different sailing backgrounds, Alan Quere and Vincent Trinquet have found a shared groove in double-handed racing aboard Motorboat II. With Quere’s years of ocean racing and Trinquet stepping into the short-handed world after an extensive inshore career, the RNI represents both a return and a step up. They’re back for the challenge, the atmosphere, and to make sure this time the lap of the North Island is properly completed, not the Waikawa and back windward bash.

L'AVANTI

Brothers John and Richard Power bring more than 50 years of sailing together to their RNI campaign aboard L’Avanti. Based out of the Bay of Islands, the pair have raced extensively two-handed, including multiple Coastal Classics and the 2025 SSANZ Northern Triangle. Stepping up to their biggest challenge yet, the brothers are using the RNI as the next natural progression in a long history of sailing and racing together.

KOKOMEA

Keen cruisers with plenty of offshore miles between them, Geoff Faulkner and Stu Morgan team up aboard Kokomea, looking for a solid lap of the North Island. With decades of sailing experience, including long-distance cruising, offshore racing, and a recent two-handed win in the Central Triangle, they know what the challenge demands. After unfinished attempts in past editions, they are determined to get to the finish this time!

INDIS

Drawn to shorthanded sailing from an early age, Andrew Benton brings decades of experience from racing in Cook Strait and beyond to the Sun Fast 3300 Indis. Purpose-built for shorthanded sailing, the boat is teamed with the technical expertise of sail designer and co-skipper Andrew Hall, whose focus on performance and efficiency suits the demands of short-handed offshore racing. Together, they’re looking forward to putting boat, preparation, and experience to the test around the North Island.

HOTDOGGER

After trading high-powered motorcycles for high-energy yacht racing, Nigel Bish teams up with Sin Grujicic to take on the RNI aboard the ever-competitive Ross 930 Hotdogger. With plenty of miles logged together in preparation and the race long sitting on Grujicic’s bucket list, the pair know a lap of the North Island will be fast, demanding, and anything but sedate, and they’re more than ready for the challenge.

HIGHLINE

A regular on the SSANZ circuit, Andrew MacMurdie returns for his third RNI and second with Jen Haliday, bringing decades of offshore and short-handed experience across multiple boats and campaigns. Sailing the cruising-focused Highline, the pair are no strangers to longer races, having tackled everything from SSANZ Enduros and Northern Triangles to Coastal Classics and a previous RNI together. Comfortable, capable, and well-practised, they’re lining up once again for the challenge of a lap of the North Island.

HIGHER GROUND

With years of two-handed and offshore racing behind him, John Seely brings experience from both Australia and New Zealand to the team. In 2025, he and long-time friend Matthew Wilson purchased Higher Ground with a clear goal of lining up for the 2026 RNI. With Wilson adding Pacific cruising miles to the mix, the pair are looking forward to taking on what they know will be a proper offshore challenge.

HIGH 5 

Racing father-and-son duo Bernie and Thomas Hyde line up together aboard High 5, a boat they sailed home to New Zealand from Italy after competing in the 2022 Rolex Middle Sea Race. With Thomas Hyde having grown up sailing and racing out of Murrays Bay Sailing Club and plenty of offshore miles now behind them, the pair are keen to take on a full lap of the North Island and see what the RNI has to offer.

GENERAL LEE RACING

Regular SSANZ competitors Cam Thorpe and Tim Holgate reunite for another offshore adventure. Sailing the ex-Clockwork, winner of the 2020 Round North Island, they entered late after one too many rums. Armed with a great boat but limited time to get to know her, they know the favourites are well-prepared, yet experience counts, and it’s sure to be an adventure.

FOCUS 

Lured out of retirement to defend a hard-earned record, Craig Fraser and Rob Croft return to the RNI with a clear goal of protecting Croft’s tally for the most RNIs and RNZs completed. With decades of offshore racing and cruising between them, Fraser is lining up for his third RNI. For Croft’s sixth lap of the North Island, he’s opting for a more comfortable ride this time around over his trusty Farr 38 Coppelia. The pair know the challenge well and are back to prove that experience still counts, even if recovery now takes a little longer.

EXPLORE RACING

With careers built around life on the water, William Goodfellow and Jesse Turner share a passion for offshore and short-handed racing. Returning for a third RNI, Goodfellow is joined by Turner, who grew up sailing on a classic yacht and now brings that lifelong experience to his first RNI. Sailing a relatively new boat that’s been a fun project to get race-ready, the pair are looking forward to seeing what the RNI delivers.

CATNIP

Returning for their second RNI, Geoff Thorn and Katie Mathison first took on the race in 2020 before purchasing Catnip in Australia. After sailing her home across the Tasman, they quickly discovered everything that needed repairing. With plenty of offshore miles between them, from Cook Strait racing to Tasman crossings, they know the RNI is a challenge regardless of experience, and one they’re both keen to take on again in 2026.

ĀKONGA

What started as a family cruising boat has since been adapted to include a two-handed race programme, with Nick Roberts teaming up with Max Livingstone after delivering Ākonga in the Pacific in 2022. Since then, the pair have taken up short-handed racing together, competing in the Northern Triangle in 2025 and winning the Two-Handed Division of the RNZYS Three Kings Race in 2024. They are now returning fired up, ready to take on the RNI. - with SSANZ