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Russell was buzzing on Saturday evening as crews, families, and supporters gathered under the big marquee for the 2025 PIC Coastal Classic prizegiving.
After one of the calmest races in years, sailors swapped stories of drifting off Kawau, glassy seas off Whangārei, and faint puffs of breeze near Cape Brett that made all the difference.
Adrian Percival, Commodore of the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club, thanked competitors and volunteers for keeping the 43-year tradition strong. The 119-nautical-mile race from Devonport to Russell began on Friday morning in bright spring conditions but soon became a test of concentration rather than endurance.
Lucky, the 27-metre maxi skippered by Bryon Ehrhart, mastered the light airs to take line honours in 17 hours, 22 minutes, and 55 seconds. The Chicago-based yacht collected the Duke of Marlborough Cup as the first boat to finish, along with trophies for the first monohull and first overseas entry.
US-flagged Lucky took line honours in 17 hours, 22 minutes, and 55 seconds. Photo / PIC Coastal Classic
Lucky led from the start, holding off Callisto and Mayhem in fluctuating winds up the Northland coast. Callisto, skippered by Jim Murray, finished second after 20 hours and 13 minutes, while Mayhem, co-skippered by Harry Dodson and Tony Bosnyak, crossed 19 minutes later to take third after a close duel with Wired.
Among the monohulls, Matt Krogstad’s Starmaker claimed the overall PHRF handicap across all divisions, also securing the SSANZ two-handed trophy after sailing for more than 26 hours. Savante topped the IRC standings, while Innismara took first in the classic division.
Matt Krogstad's Starmaker claimed the overall PHRF handicap across all divisions. Photo / PIC Coastal Classic
In the multihull fleet, Cat+Ion was first across the line and Aventador finished first on handicap.
The Te Hau Ai Wairaka Trophy, traditionally awarded to an all-women crew, this year recognised the first female skipper to cross the line on handicap and was taken out by Justine Bellingham on Fez.
The smaller multihulls also impressed, with Hooters leading Division 7 and taking Open 8.5 honours.
Craig Haslip’s Hooters again embodied the spirit of the PIC Coastal Classic. Racing in Division 7, the sleek Open 8.5 crossed the line around 10.48am Saturday after nearly 25 hours at sea.
"It's been the goal since I bought her," Haslip said. "To finish before night-time on Friday." The 2025 race made that goal difficult, with light winds testing patience more than performance.
"We never fully stopped," Haslip said. "At worst, we were doing half a knot. But at one point you looked around and there were 50 boats all parked up, lights everywhere."
Despite the calm, Hooters held her pace. "Even between cats and tris, the boats are very even," he explained. "Had there been any wind, we could've done it."
Division handicap winners included Another Duchess in Division 1A, Blue Dude in 1B, Niksen in Division 2, Legacy in Division 3, and Paddy Wagon in Division 5.
Sassinate took out line honours in Division 1B, with Force Eleven (Division 2), Wasted Away (Division 4), and T-Rex (Division 5) doing the same in their respective categories.
Other notable achievements went to Young Mischief, which received the Russell Trophy, and ExMachina, the smallest boat to finish, which collected the Cockleshell Trophy.
Justine Bellingham was the first female skipper, aboard Fez, earning the Te Hau Ai Wairaka Trophy. Photo / PIC Coastal Classic
Youth sailors also made their mark, with Kick among the standout crews. Skippered by Brendan Sands and sailing under the SSANZ banner, the team combined experienced hands with young sailors from Manly Sailing Club's WASZP programme. The teenagers showed skill and composure through light winds and long night watches, trimming sails and taking turns on the helm as the breeze returned along the coast.
Fifteen-year-old Harry Jameson described the experience as a major learning opportunity after a night of sail changes and minimal sleep. Plans are already forming for a youth-led quarter tonner project in 2026, with other young sailors - including those on Wild Thing - keen to follow.
Full final results and standings here.
