With a light southerly forecast to greet them at the start line, the fleet assembled for the 43rd year and 42nd running of the PIC Coastal Classic, New Zealand's best-loved race north. The pre-race briefing struck a tone familiar to anyone who has stood in that room before: sharp seamanship advice wrapped in genuine Kiwi wit.
PredictWind's Nick Olson delivered the weather picture, flagging around 10 knots at the 10 a.m. gun. An overnight front would leave the morning patchy, with conditions expected to fill in gradually as the fleet worked its way up the coast. Crews were urged to keep a close eye on real-time observations and to respect the tidal currents around Bream Head and Tutukaka, where the flow has a habit of splitting fleets early. The prospect of westerlies for a downwind run home drew obvious interest, though Olson was quick to temper expectations. "But not before Sunday night," he cautioned with a grin.
Race director Megan Kensington spoke about the 2025 fleet with evident pride. At one end of the spectrum sat the 88-foot Lucky, with Brad Butterworth on board fresh off a Sydney-to-Auckland win. At the other, a new generation was making its presence felt, among them Luke Tucker's Wild Thing and the Jamison brothers, aged 15 and 12, campaigning Kick. "Big boats, innovators, and the future of sailing, it's all here," she said. Among the international entries, Guy Chester's 12-metre Ocean Tribute drew particular attention, running on solar and hydro generation and reflecting the race's growing sustainability focus.
Safety requirements were laid out without ambiguity. Lifejackets are mandatory above 15 knots of wind or after dark, unless a skipper has granted a specific exemption. A handheld VHF radio must be live in the cockpit on Channel 16 for the duration of the race, so that nearby boats can respond to trouble before Coastguard reaches the scene. On man-overboard preparedness, the message to competitors was direct: "If you haven't practiced one, talk it through on the way out. It's probably the most important exercise you'll ever undertake before racing." The finish line itself also received a clear explanation: it runs between the finish boat and a buoy 100 metres off Russell Wharf, and any boat that misses that gate has not officially finished.
Title sponsor PIC Insurance Brokers, with John Chandler speaking on their behalf, used the occasion to reaffirm a commitment that extends well beyond any single season.
“It’s an iconic event. We’re proud to have been partners since 2012.”
Joining the sponsorship lineup for the first time is Charlie Bravo Boat Company, alongside returning supporters B&G / Zhik, Doyle Sails, Mount Gay Rum, Burnsco, and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. B&G is also taking charge of a new race-day recycling programme, with bags provided for crews to use. On arrival in Russell, competitors were pointed toward The Naughty Penguin for a post-race burger and a Mount Gay Rum.
Among the more notable announcements from the briefing was the introduction of the Coastal Passage Record, an official benchmark recognising the fastest Auckland-to-Russell transits completed outside the race itself. The record is open year-round to solo or crewed attempts, subject to Cat 3 certification, 48 hours' notice given to the NZ Multihull Yacht Club, and a GPS-tracked course. Recognised categories span monohull, multihull, shorthanded, and return passages. The aim, organisers explained, is to keep fast coastal sailing alive as a pursuit in its own right, not merely something that happens on race weekend.
Back in Russell, the social calendar is set. Prizegiving is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, with the official after-party beginning at 7.30 p.m. and noise controls in place until 1.30 a.m. Water taxis will run to the fleet on Channel 08, with wristbands available to purchase online or collected in Russell.
The evening closed on a lighter note, as it should.
“Don’t forget to pack your sense of humour—it may be required.”
With more than a hundred boats pointing north, the collective message from the Squadron was straightforward: sail smart, stay safe, and enjoy the ride.
