Auckland's Waitematā Harbour once again proved itself the perfect stage for the PIC Harbour Classic, a race that has built a reputation for pairing genuine competition with the kind of good-natured atmosphere that turns first-timers into regulars.
The course stretched roughly 8 nautical miles between Takapuna and Rangitoto Island, with the fleet starting off North Head in light northerly conditions. Far from producing a procession, those gentle breezes demanded the sort of tactical reading and patient execution that separates the sharp from the merely hopeful, with subtle shifts keeping crews on their toes throughout.
If anyone expected a light-wind day to dull the competitive edge, the racing itself put that notion to rest quickly. The fleet bunched and jostled throughout, boats trading places in tight quarters as the soft conditions kept the pack compressed. The finish line scene was one of controlled chaos, with margins that could scarcely have been slimmer.
"It was a fantastic finish. Boats were jostling around. Everybody bunched up at the finish."
Reading the breeze correctly and staying in pressure through the middle sections of the course proved the key to a strong result. For those who lost touch with the pressure at the wrong moment, the day offered a sharp reminder of just how unforgiving harbour racing can be in light air.
"We came right up the middle and overtook the big boats… then got stuck. It could have been a little bit more wind, but it made the finish really interesting."
The standout performance of the day belonged to Sequesta, the Ed Dubois 42 skippered by Philip Deibert, which claimed first overall on handicap. Consistent throughout, the boat and crew looked well-dialled from the outset, and their composure under pressure was ultimately the difference.
Line honours across the two fleet categories went to different vessels. Alegre, a Soto 40 skippered by Vaughn Clark, was the first monohull across the finish line, while Frank Racing, the GC32 skippered by Simon Hull, took multihull line honours.
A look across the divisional results captures just how wide-ranging and competitive this fleet has become. Mark Roberts (Moulet) skippered Extreme, a Jim Young design, to victory in Division 2. Aaron Hume-Merry brought Southern Fun, a Laurie Davidson design, home first in Division 3. Colin Booth guided Perfect Alibi, a Young 88, to top spot in Division 4. Sequesta then rounded out an impressive day by also taking Division 5, cementing its place as the most consistent performer on the water.
The class racing added further intrigue. Hooters, the Open 8.5 skippered by Craig Haslip, won the 8.5 multihull class, while Team Sex, a Magic 25 skippered by Anne Hirst, claimed victory in the sports boat division.
The Battle of the Clubs trophy found a home at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, whose collective contribution from Sequesta, Extreme, Sham Pain, and Team Sex proved strong enough to see off the competition.
Racing may have occupied centre stage, but the PIC Harbour Classic has always been about the wider experience surrounding it. Pre-race gatherings at Wynyard Pavilion and post-race raft-ups in Jellicoe Harbour gave the day a celebratory feel, framing the competition within something that looked and felt very much like a festival of sailing.
"We're all having a good time. Weather was fantastic… nice close field. Everybody was talking to each other."
Several crews used the event as a direct pathway into the sport, bringing along people with little or no sailing experience and turning race day into something far more than a pursuit of points.
"This event is about getting people out and sailing… we had the music going, taking people out who haven't done much sailing. That's the fun part."
Accessibility sits at the heart of what the Harbour Classic represents. High-performance multihulls share the start line with classic Kiwi designs and trailer yachts, producing a fleet that reflects the genuine breadth of New Zealand's boating culture. There is no single profile of a Harbour Classic sailor, and that diversity is very much part of the appeal.
Even those who finished well away from the front of the fleet found something rewarding in the day, with a mid-fleet placing in good company carrying its own kind of satisfaction.
"The position reflects the ability of all of us… but I was happy with the way we went."
The 2026 edition made a compelling case for the Harbour Classic as one of the standout events on the Auckland sailing calendar. Strong turnout, close racing across every division, and a lively atmosphere both on and off the water combined to give the event a momentum that looks set to carry into next year.
Organisers are anticipating that entries for 2027 will draw another broad and enthusiastic mix of sailors, with those at every level of experience welcomed to the start line. On the strength of this year's event, the reasons to sign on will not be difficult to find.
