The Whanganui River played host to a packed weekend of powerboat racing on 10–11 January, as the 2026 King of the River Regatta delivered North Island titles across several classes and produced a new King of the River.
Simon "Bricky" Watkins was the standout name by the time Sunday's programme wrapped up. Watkins had already claimed the Redhead Trophy aboard Typhoon before taking victory in the feature King of the River race, holding off Total Chaos in second and Midnight in third to claim the 2026 crown.
The Series 3000 North Island Title proved one of the more compelling contests of the weekend, with Valhalla emerging as the class performer after two consistent days on the water. Ambush finished second and Vigilante third. Valhalla carried that form into Sunday's Rivercity 3000, winning again ahead of Vigilante and Ambush, a reversal of the minor placings from the title race.
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Pro Com honours went to Bold Move, which put together a strong all-round regatta to win the North Island Title, with Hells Bells runner-up and Midnight third. Bold Move doubled up by securing the Fred Robinson Memorial, finishing ahead of Midnight and Sundance Kid.
The Hard Luck Trophy was presented for the first time since 2013, with Blair Gaudin in Hells Bells receiving the award after a challenging weekend on the river.
Full fields, multiple titles settled, and a Hard Luck Trophy presentation not seen in over a decade, the 2026 King of the River Regatta reaffirmed its place as one of the essential fixtures on the New Zealand powerboat racing calendar.
