Please select your home edition
Edition
SOUTHERN-SPARS-MISSY-FURLING-BOOMS-728-X-90 TOP

100th entrant signs up for the 2023 PIC Coastal Classic

by Zoe Hawkins/PIC Coastal Classic 2 Oct 2023 11:14 NZDT 20 October 2023
Simon Hull's Frank Racing about to go into orbit in the 2015 PIC Coastal Classic © Richard Gladwell - Sail-World.com/nz

With entries closing on 6 October for the 2023 PIC Coastal Classic, 100 boats and crews have already committed to the race and more are flowing in every day.

“The fleet is looking good,” says New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club Spokesperson Adrian Percival. “We are welcoming boats of all sizes and shapes, from all around the North Island. And with El Nino weather patterns in place there is a better than normal chance of fast downwind conditions.”

The PIC Coastal Classic is the biggest coastal yacht race in New Zealand, and one of the biggest in the world. It started life 41 years ago as a drag race between Auckland and Russell for just a few boats, and over the years attracted a bigger and more diverse fleet, ranging from grand prix racers to smaller family cruisers.

The race starts off Devonport Wharf in Auckland on the morning of Friday 20 October and finishes off Russell Wharf in the Bay of Islands.

The sail up the coast is spectacular for the fleet, but wind and conditions can be changeable which means that fortunes can change quickly.

While in 2019, the giant trimaran Beau Geste completed the course in five hours, the smallest boats can take 24 hours or longer to finish.

“The big question on our minds as the day gets close is whether a multihull or a monohull will take overall victory. In the last 14 years only two monohulls have taken the honours, and last year’s winner V5 is entered and will be back this year.”

Organised by the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club, it is a race designed for speed: except for at the beginning and the end of the race, there are few opportunities to use tactics to overtake, and success can often depend on getting a good tactical start.

As well as welcoming back long term supporter PIC Insurance Brokers, the Coastal Classic is supported by some of New Zealand’s pre-eminent marine brands: B&G, PredictWind.com, 36° Brokers. Line 7 andDoyle Sails.

For those watching the race start from ashore, prime vantage points are Devonport Wharf, North Head, Orakei Wharf and the race website, www.coastalclassic.co.nz which will be updated regularly with photos, commentary and radio positions throughout the race.

Related Articles

How to report marine pest sightings
As fantastic as our surveillance teams are, they can't get around it all. They need your help! From Northland all the way down to Hawke's Bay, our regions include a vast amount of coastline. As fantastic as our surveillance teams are, they can't get around it all. They need your help! Posted on 3 Dec
Bay of Islands Sailing Week: Sponsors announced
Enter now to assist regatta planning and creation of another excellent BOI SW regatta The countdown is on for Bay of Islands Sailing Week 2025, New Zealand's premier multi-boat regatta, scheduled for January 21-24. Posted on 1 Dec
Bay of Islands Sailing Week is calling
Bay of Islands Sailing Week is calling - regular entries close on December 31 Seasoned sailors Rob Bassett and Brett Russell are rallying competitors to join what Peter Montgomery has called “the best-big boat regatta in NZ” as entries roll in for the 2025 Bay of Islands Sailing Week (BOISW). Posted on 12 Nov
SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody - Now just €50
Price Drop: SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody: Was €120 | Now €50 - Order yours today! Price Drop: SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody: WAS €120 | NOW €50 - Order yours today! Ideal Xmas gift for America's Cup fans! Get your souvenir hoody on the America's Cup champion! Posted on 7 Nov
Vendee Globe: 'Crazy Kiwi' racing on renewables
Conrad Colman plans on repeating his 2015/26 feat racing without the use of fossil fuel In the 2016 Vendee Globe, Conrad Colman became the first competitor in Vendee Globe history to finish without using a drop of fossil fuel during his circumnavigation. He plans on repeating the feat in the upcoming Vendee Globe race. Posted on 30 Oct
Predictwind is official partner of Vendee Globe
PredictWind will bring fans into the Vendée Globe action with a world-first Race Weather Centre Global leader in marine weather forecasting, PredictWind, has announced its official partnership with IMOCA - one of the fastest and most exciting offshore yacht racing classes - to become the exclusive Weather Data Supplier for the Vendée Globe 2024. Posted on 22 Oct
NZ Marine industry celebrates Am Cup Defence
NZ marine technology and innovation is used both by its own and other teams contesting the Cup While New Zealand sailors are considered among the world's best, the country's marine technology and innovation is used both by its own team, and by the teams contesting the America's Cup. Posted on 19 Oct
New facilities attract more superyachts to NZ
Superyacht attraction initiatives paying off as NZ Marine reports $212m superyacht economic boost A new report shows superyacht visitors injected $212m into the New Zealand economy in the 2023/4 season. The report has been released as New Zealand ramps up its superyacht attraction initiatives. Posted on 11 Oct
Cup Spy - Finals - Who dares, wins
The AC75 proved its ability to provide compelling viewing, match racing at speeds touching 55kts Critics of the AC75 and its suitability as a match racer for the America's Cup should be eating their words after Sunday's Blinder in Barcelona Posted on 30 Sep
Check the rules before summer boating starts
Marine biosecurity teams are reminding boaties and all marine users to make sure they are across mar Marine biosecurity teams are reminding boaties and all marine users to make sure they are across marine pest risks and rules before heading out on the water this summer. Posted on 24 Sep
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px-05 BOTTOMMotomuck SaltyMuck Static 728 x 90 px BOTTOMCBGTG_summer24_digital_728x90 BOTTOM