Two dozen-plus boats, four divisions, and a course stretching 1,200 nautical miles around New Zealand's North Island. The 2026 Doyle Sails Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race has drawn one of the most varied offshore fleets in recent memory, blending purpose-built shorthanded machines with well-prepared cruising designs and the crews who know how to push them. Twenty-six teams will tackle the lap. Seven are returning with scores to settle. Others are lining up for the very first time.
What all of them share needs no elaborate explanation. Commitment. Preparation. A readiness to face whatever conditions the North Island cares to send their way.
Here is a look at the full fleet.
With SSANZ Media.
DIVISION 1
Ken Ormandy is no newcomer to discomfort, and his return for a third lap of the North Island confirms it. Aboard Perfect Storm, a Thompson 38 carrying SHB 0.900, he is joined by his wife Lori. The pair have spent the past three years working through upgrades, refining systems, and building miles together through SSANZ racing, the Northern Triangle, and longer offshore passages. Better resourced and better prepared than before, and hoping for a less upwind-dominated race than the last edition, they are ready to find out what this RNI has in store.
Cam Thorpe and Tim Holgate are familiar faces on the SSANZ circuit, and the two reunite for another offshore campaign aboard General Lee Racing, a Bakewell-White 37 with SHB 0.912. The boat itself needs little introduction. Formerly known as Clockwork, she won the 2020 Round North Island. The entry came in late, and time to build familiarity with the boat has been limited, but both sailors know that experience carries weight in a race like this, and the adventure alone is reason enough to be here.
By their own reckoning, Damon Jolliffe and Josh Tucker probably know better. Nine RNIs between them and a long track record of offshore misadventure, yet here they are again, back aboard Motorboat III, a Thompson 1150 rated at SHB 0.922. Equal parts seasoned campaigners and practitioners of questionable decision-making, they bring serious sea miles, a well-earned reputation, and what they describe as a highly optimised, fine-tuned campaign to the start line.
Sharon Ferris-Choat brings a sailing résumé that covers Olympic campaigns, the Volvo Ocean Race, offshore records, and senior roles at the highest level of professional sailing, alongside a long-term commitment to developing women in the sport. Her Vixen Racing Academy has built a programme around real offshore racing, responsibility, and leadership at sea. On the Verdier Class 40 Vixen Racing, rated SHB 0.927, she sails alongside Taylor Edwards, a Yachtmaster Cruising Instructor and commercially endorsed skipper whose background spans boatbuilding, rigging, and engineering. Edwards has accumulated miles across the South Pacific, Mediterranean, Chilean and New Zealand fiords, and has a winter Tasman crossing to his name, bringing calm execution and a strong coaching mindset to the campaign.
Bernie Hyde and his son Thomas line up together aboard High 5, a Farr 47 carrying SHB 0.940. The pair sailed High 5 home to New Zealand from Italy after competing in the 2022 Rolex Middle Sea Race. Thomas grew up racing out of Murrays Bay Sailing Club, and with plenty of offshore miles now shared between them, the father-and-son duo are keen to see what a full lap of the North Island offers.
William Goodfellow and Jesse Turner return to the RNI with complementary offshore backgrounds and careers built around life on the water. Goodfellow lines up for his third RNI aboard the Elliott 50 Explore Racing, rated SHB 1.051, while Turner brings a lifetime of sailing on a classic yacht to his first RNI. The boat has been a satisfying project to get race-ready, and the pair are genuinely looking forward to whatever the course delivers.
DIVISION 2
What began as a family cruising boat has taken on a second life as a two-handed race platform. Nick Roberts and Max Livingstone first crossed paths during a delivery of Ākonga in the Pacific in 2022, and the Dehler 41, rated SHB 0.840, has since become the centre of a competitive campaign. The pair raced the Northern Triangle in 2025 and won the Two-Handed Division of the RNZYS Three Kings Race in 2024. They arrive at the RNI start fired up and ready for the biggest challenge yet.
Steve Newcombe is no stranger to the Round North Island, returning for his fourth edition, his third on a different boat. This time he is aboard the Pogo 36 Pipi, rated SHB 0.851, alongside Craig Parker, who grew up racing and cruising on his father's trimaran before spending the past 15 years campaigning his own boats. After an eventful SSANZ Northern Triangle last year, the pair are keen to step things up and take on the full lap.
Alan Quere and Vincent Trinquet come from different sailing worlds but have found a natural rhythm in double-handed racing together. Quere brings years of ocean racing to the Elliott 10.5 Motorboat II, rated SHB 0.859, while Trinquet has made the transition from an extensive inshore background into the short-handed offshore arena. In the 2023 RNI, they finished 8th on PHRF overall and 9th on line honours overall. They are back for the atmosphere, the challenge, and, importantly, to complete a proper lap of the North Island rather than a repeat of the Waikawa and back windward bash.
Geoff Thorn and Katie Mathison first raced the RNI together in 2020, then purchased Catnip, a Beneteau First 45 rated SHB 0.867, in Australia and sailed her home across the Tasman, quickly discovering the full extent of what needed fixing. With Cook Strait racing and Tasman crossings among their shared offshore miles, the pair know exactly what a race like this demands. They are returning for another crack at it in 2026.
Karen Selway and Kevin Smith bring decades of racing, cruising, and offshore sailing to the Azuree 46 Kayimai, rated SHB 0.867. Bought in Australia in 2023 and sailed home across the Tasman, the boat marks a move toward longer two-handed adventures without abandoning the performance side of sailing. Drawn by the challenge and the prospect of sharing the experience together, the pair are ready for a full lap of the North Island.
John Seely draws on years of two-handed and offshore racing across both Australia and New Zealand, and in 2025 he and long-time friend Matthew Wilson purchased the Ross 10.6 Higher Ground, rated SHB 0.877, with a singular goal in mind: lining up for the 2026 RNI. Wilson adds Pacific cruising miles to the partnership, and between them the pair know this will be a genuine offshore test. They are looking forward to it.
Bruce Gault has owned the Davidson 52 Whichway, rated SHB 0.885, since 2020. A major refit preceded her 2023 RNI campaign, where Gault and then-crewmate David Brooke finished 2nd on PHRF overall and 2nd on line honours overall. Since then, Whichway has spent extended winters cruising the Pacific, and Gault is back, hoping this is finally the edition in which he completes the full lap. Craig McMillan joins as crew, bringing offshore experience that includes a Sydney-Hobart, the Middle Sea Race, an Atlantic crossing, and a Panama transit. Between them, the aim is a solid, enjoyable run around the course.
Craig Fraser describes himself as lured out of retirement, returning to defend a record that matters. He and Rob Croft are back aboard the Elliott 1350 Focus, rated SHB 0.887, with a clear goal of protecting Croft's tally as the sailor with the most RNIs and RNZs completed. The 2023 RNI saw them finish 10th on PHRF overall and 7th on line elapsed time overall. Fraser lines up for his third RNI, while Croft is taking on his sixth lap of the North Island, choosing the comfort of Focus over his trusty Farr 38 Coppelia this time around. Experience counts, they say, even if recovery takes a little longer these days.
DIVISION 3
Andrew Benton's pull toward shorthanded sailing goes back a long way, and he brings decades of experience from Cook Strait racing and beyond to the Sun Fast 3300 Indis, rated SHB 0.811. The boat is purpose-built for shorthanded campaigns, and alongside Benton is sail designer and co-skipper Andrew Hall, whose focus on performance and efficiency is well matched to the demands of short-handed offshore racing. Together, they are looking forward to putting preparation, design, and experience to the test on a full lap of the North Island.
Ryan McCready has a reputation for confidence, optimism, and backing the plan, whatever that plan turns out to be. Aboard the Ross 9.1 Physical Favours, rated SHB 0.818 and sailing with a new B&G system via Advance Trident, he is joined by Andrew Child, who brings a calm and experienced approach to offshore sailing. The pairing balances McCready's enthusiasm with Child's steadiness, underpinned by solid seamanship and a shared commitment to getting the boat around the island.
Brett Elliott is back for his fourth RNI, this time aboard the Sun Fast 3300 Ragnar, rated SHB 0.819, and expecting a smoother ride after his recent races on Waka. Elliott has made shorthanded racing across the SSANZ calendar something of a speciality. James Glidden joins him for his first RNI, the pair having campaigned together previously, both with roots in the youth training pathway. Having qualified just last week, they are eager to get underway, with thanks to owner Derek for making the boat available.
Geoff Faulkner and Stu Morgan are keen cruisers with long offshore records between them, and they bring that accumulated experience to the Beneteau First 40.7 Kokomea, rated SHB 0.821. Decades of sailing, long-distance cruising, offshore racing, and a recent two-handed win in the Central Triangle all feature in their shared history. Previous RNI editions have left unfinished business, and this time the pair are determined to reach the finish line.
Logan Fraser has completed the previous two editions of the RNI, added Tasman crossings and a two-handed Sydney-Hobart to his record, and returns once more aboard the Dehler 30 One Design Niksen, rated SHB 0.824. In 2023, he finished 16th on PHRF overall and 17th on line elapsed time overall. Co-owner Marc Michel joins him, bringing wide blue-water experience across oceans, classic events, and double-handed offshore racing. Well practised together and comfortable with the demands of short-handed sailing, the pair need no convincing of what lies ahead.
Brendan Sands is returning for his third lap of the North Island aboard the Elliott 1050 Kick, rated SHB 0.836, a boat he has spent the past eight years refining. His 2023 campaign with Josh Tucker produced a finish of 16th on PHRF overall and 14th on line elapsed time overall. This time Ben Roff is in the other seat, stepping into his first RNI after building miles through coastal and offshore racing, including a recent Northern Triangle campaign. One experienced RNI hand alongside one first-timer, and a shared hope that this edition delivers a complete lap with rather less west coast punishment than past editions have served up.
DIVISION 4
Brothers John and Richard Power have sailed together for more than 50 years, and the Farr 1020 L'Avanti, rated SHB 0.735, provides the platform for their biggest challenge yet. Based out of the Bay of Islands, they have raced extensively two-handed, racking up multiple Coastal Classics and the 2025 SSANZ Northern Triangle. The RNI is the logical next step in a partnership defined by a lifetime on the water.
Harri Wren grew up sailing dinghies in Auckland before keelboats became her focus through the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's youth training programme. Now known for sharp sail changes and strong race planning, she also sails regularly on the Ker 40 Minerva in Sydney. She returns alongside Peron Pearse for her second RNI aboard the Ross 930 Start Me Up, rated SHB 0.748, the pair having finished 19th on PHRF overall and 24th on line elapsed time overall in 2023. Pearse grew up dinghy sailing in Western Australia before crossing to New Zealand for the youth programme, and twelve years later he is still here. His offshore highlights include racing on Clockwork in the Groupama Race, and he now balances his sailing with a career flying helicopters.
Nigel Bish arrived at yacht racing having previously traded high-powered motorcycles for high-energy offshore sailing, and he teams up with Sin Grujicic for the RNI aboard the Ross 930 Hotdogger, rated SHB 0.763. Miles logged together in preparation have helped build the campaign, and the race has sat on Grujicic's bucket list for some time. Neither has any illusions: a lap of the North Island on Hotdogger will be fast, demanding, and far from sedate, and that is exactly what they are here for.
Ben Sinton and Shaun Grigg bring experience and a measured competitive outlook to the Ross 8 C U Later, rated SHB 0.780. Sinton raced the 2023 RNI with Chris Skinner aboard the same boat, finishing 23rd on PHRF overall and 26th on line elapsed time overall. The boat may be one of the smaller entries in the fleet, but on a 1,200 mile lap of the North Island, the pair will be ones to watch.
Rowan Smith has campaigned the Elliott 10.66 Carpe Diem, rated SHB 0.782, for several years, drawing on a background in keelboat racing across Auckland and the Australian coast. Lydia Boyd joins him for her first RNI, having already completed the Northern Triangle aboard the same boat last year. With plenty of shared miles accumulated over the past couple of years, the pair are ready for the next test the North Island course has to offer.
Andrew MacMurdie lines up for his third RNI and second alongside Jennifer Haliday aboard the Dufour 455 Grand Large Highline, rated SHB 0.792. Between them, decades of offshore and shorthanded experience span multiple boats, SSANZ Enduros, Northern Triangles, Coastal Classics, and a previous RNI together. Comfortable with longer races and well practised as a team, they arrive at the start line knowing what lies ahead and ready to take it on.
