Coastal Classic MTB & Trail Run 2026

The Coastal Classic, also known as the PIC Coastal Classic, is a sailing race from Auckland to Russell in New Zealand. It begins on the Friday of Labour Weekend each year, with over a hundred boats participating. The Royal Akarana Yacht Club organizes the event. Spectators can view the fleet's departure from Devonport before the boats enter open water. The race accommodates both monohulls and multihulls, offering objectives like monohull handicap wins and multihull line honours. The course follows the coast from Auckland to the Bay of Islands, finishing in Russell. It draws experienced offshore sailors, club crews, family teams, and younger sailors eager to test themselves in a challenging coastal race. Recent focus has been on emerging talent: Harry and Max Jameson, sons of Phil Jameson, have crewed the Elliott 1050 Kick, and Luke Tucker has competed in a different division with Dave Meads. Their fathers, Phil Jameson and Josh Tucker, shared a racing history as teenagers in Wellington. Phil Jameson later joined Team New Zealand and won the Volvo Ocean Race with Ericsson 4, while Josh Tucker accumulated over 150,000 nautical miles in his career. This familial connection adds depth to the race, serving as a venue for New Zealand sailors to pass down offshore racing knowledge across generations.