Tenacity is the word of the day as the fleet in the 2026 PIC Coastal Classic races against the clock to finish what has been a tormenting and challenging race. The good news? It hasn’t rained, and that’s a massive positive. The conditions may be light enough to make a feather look overpowered, but at least it’s warm and sunny!
Almost 25 hours after the start, Rob Bassett and his BW52 crew aboard Wired crossed the finish line in Russell at 10:58:25, recording a race time of 24 hours, 58 minutes and 25 seconds. Cheers erupted aboard Wired as the boat crossed the line, marking a significant milestone: 20 years of racing aboard Wired.
Bassett noted that the anniversary helped motivate the crew to keep going despite the painfully light conditions. “It’s a 20-year-old boat, so this race was a bit of a celebration,” he said. “We’ve obviously won it before, and I told the guys before we started that we weren’t pulling out, no matter what. This is what it’s all about.”
“We had a good game plan, got a really good start and came out of there quickly. We set the pace early, and it was a really good result,” Bassett added. He acknowledged that light-air races are often much harder on crews than windy ones, stating, “As time goes on, tempers can start to fray. You’re constantly asking where you’re going, what you’re doing and how you’re going to keep the boat moving.”
Wired divided its crew into two watches, a strategy Bassett said they wouldn’t normally employ for a Coastal Classic. “In the past, you can run out of energy and stop performing at your best,” he explained. The shift allowed for some younger crew members to join in, creating a lively atmosphere filled with banter throughout the night.
Looking ahead, Bassett hopes for many more Coastal Classics. “I absolutely enjoy it. I love sailing in a really competitive environment,” he said. “We always thought you might get 10 years out of a race boat, but Wired has performed way beyond that. She’s done so many miles and has been such a good boat for us.”
For the remaining fleet, the race is now firmly against the clock. Unfortunately, most boats are unlikely to make the 2pm cut-off, but that doesn’t mean their efforts won’t count. Under the race rules, every boat that does not reach the finish will still receive a recorded placing, although it will not be eligible for prizes. Sometimes sailing really is about the journey, especially when the journey takes this long.
Wired is the only boat in Division 1A to finish. The remaining boats have called time on their races, withdrawing and either returning to Auckland or continuing to Russell to join the party and prizegiving at the Nauti Penguin this evening. Wired claims overall line honours, Division 1A line honours and first place on PHRF.
A great battle is unfolding in Division 1B between General Lee, Revs, Blue Dude and Alegre. Leading the charge is the BW37 General Lee, skippered by Tim Holgate and Cameron Thorpe, determined to reach the finish line with just 3.2 nautical miles remaining.
In Division 2, Nosaka and Drinks Trolley are battling closely, with both boats approximately 8.5 nautical miles from the line and travelling at around 6.5 knots. They need the conditions to hold if they are to finish before 2pm.
The Cruising Rally fleet permitted an additional five hours of motoring, bringing the total allowance to 10 hours. My Fix claimed rally line honours, finishing at 02:41:20, followed by Lady Nada.
By Suellen Hurling
For all the latest, visit www.coastalclassic.co.nz.
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