2024 PIC Coastal Classic: FEZ takes keelboat handicap win
by Zoe Hawkins/PIC Coastal Classic 27 Oct 19:04 NZDT
Fez - 2024 PIC Coastal Classic - October 25, 2024 © Richard Gladwell - Sail-World.com/nz
No two of 67 starters in this year's PIC Coastal Classic are identical. That is where the handicap system kicks in, giving opportunity to any boat no matter how big, small, new or old, to take away a victory based on how well they sailed the boat on the day.
"We'd like to congratulate our handicap winners," says race spokesperson Adrian Percival of the New Zealand Multihull Yacht Club. "It was tough out there, many boats withdrew before or in the early stages of the race, and those that went on to finish really put in the mahi."
The first finishers took more than 14 hours to complete the course; the last more than 24 hours, making it one of the longer events in the race's history. Just 39 boats finished the upwind race.
The navy-blue Warwick 50, Fez, owned by Justine and Casey Bellingham, was ninth on line but took out the coveted title of overall PHRF honours in the race. Vixen was second, and Zephyrus third.
Only two multihulls finished: Romanza, and Levity. Of the two, Romanza received redress (or time in credit) for spending nearly a full hour supporting the crew of a damaged yacht and won on both line and handicap.
"Both boats sailed superbly," says Adrian, who presented the trophies at the prize-giving - generally regarded as sailing's Party of the Year in squally wet conditions in Russell on Saturday night.
"Thank you to everyone for being adaptable and resilient this year, it's definitely a race to remember and we are looking forward to the promised South-Westerly for 2025!"
Congratulations to our winners:
Duke of Marlborough Cup for the First Boat to Finish - Overall Line HonoursWinner: ROMANZA
Jackson Electrical Trophy for First Monohull on PHRF (All Divisions)Winner: FEZ
Jon Vincent Memorial Trophy for the First Overseas Boat to FinishWinner: MOTORBOAT II
The Alexander Flynn Trophy for the First Multihull to FinishWinner: ROMANZA
The Devonport Yacht Club Trophy for the First Monohull to FinishWinner: EQULIBRIUM
Duncan Stuart Rosebowl and SailSure NZ Trophy for the First Multihull on HandicapWinner: ROMANZA
Two-Handed SSANZ Trophy:
- Two-Handed Division First on Handicap: LAVANTI
- Second on Handicap: NIKSEN
- Third on Handicap: PRETTY BOY FLOYD
Russell Trophy for First Bay of Islands Monohull on HandicapWinner: LAVANTI (KCC)
The Young 88 TrophyWinner: YOUNG MISCHIEF
Cockleshell Trophy for the Smallest Boat to FinishWinners: YOUNG MISCHIEF/SMOKEY
Lindauer Trophy for First Club Team on Handicap for Teams CompetitionWinning Club: RICHMOND YACHT CLUB
- Scoring Boats: KATANA, INDIS, CARPE DIEM
Division Results
Predict Wind Division 1A
- First on Handicap: EQUILIBRIUM
- First on Line: EQUILIBRIUM
- Second on Handicap: STEINLAGER II
Doyle Sails Division 1B
- First on Handicap: VIXEN / ZEPHYRUS
- First on Line: CLOCKWORK
- Third on Handicap: CLOCKWORK
MT Gay Rum Division 2
- First on Handicap: FEZ
- First on Line: FEZ
- Second on Handicap: KAIMAI EXPRESS
- Third on Handicap: KICK
PIC Insurance Brokers Division 3
- First on Handicap: APPARITION
- First on Line: LEGACY
- Second on Handicap: FIRST PRIORITY
- Third on Handicap: FORTY TWO
Burnard International Division 4
- First on Handicap: LAVANTI
- First on Line: INDIS
- Second on Handicap: INDIS
- Third on Handicap: SECOND NATURE
B&G Division 5
- First on Handicap: YOUNG MISCHIEF
- First on Line: YOUNG MISCHIEF
- Second on Handicap: SMOKEY
NZMYC Division 6
- First on Handicap: ROMANZA
- First on Line: ROMANZA
- Second on Handicap: LEVITY
Burnsco Division 8 - No Extras
- First on Handicap: SV THISTLE
- First on Line: SV THISTLE
Port Whangarei Marine Rally Division
- First on Line: DREAMWEAVER