SSANZ Media // written by Harri Wren of SSANZ | Images Suellen Hurling – Live Sail Die
1210 miles. 52 sailors. 26 yachts. 4 legs. One epic race.
A race that, as always, delivers far more than promised; on and off the water.
It’s been just over a week since the Doyle Sails Round North Island 2026 wrapped up, after 16 days of racing around the country. Highs and lows, favourable and frustrating forecasts, all combining to create an adventure that few will forget.
Leg 1 set the tone early. A demanding opening push north tested the fleet and reminded everyone just how complex New Zealand’s coastal waters can be. An early retirement by one boat into Marsden Cove to repair steering cables turned into a race against time to make the Leg 2 start. While most of the fleet reached Mangōnui relatively unscathed, the importance of rest and reset before tackling the top of the island was clear.
Leg 2 proved nothing was guaranteed. A punishing southerly battered the fleet for the first 24 hours, before fading into a tactical, glassy chessboard. The game of snakes and ladders frustrated many and shook up the leaderboard, keeping everyone guessing.
From the outset, Doyle-powered Explore Racing stamped themselves as the boat to beat for line honours. The Elliott 50, crewed by seasoned RNI sailors Will Goodfellow and Jesse Turner, delivered a standout performance, claiming line honours overall with a clean sweep of all four legs. It was far from uncontested, with Motorboat III often within striking distance.
Skippered by Damon Jolliffe and Josh Tucker, Motorboat III set the benchmark on handicap, taking out three of the four legs on PHRF. But the battle for Overall Corrected Time, the race’s major prize, went down to the wire. Elliott 1050 Kick and Sun Fast 3300 Ragnar kept the pressure on throughout, with Ragnar ultimately claiming the top spot after Kick suffered a partial rudder failure in the final leg. The resulting leaderboard shake-up was compelling viewing and added another layer of drama to an already dynamic race.
James Glidden, who received a last-minute call-up to join Ragnar, lined up alongside long-time friend and sailing partner Brett Elliott, making the win all the more meaningful.
“What an epic adventure — only possible thanks to Ragnar’s owner, Derek, who trusted us with his boat. Huge respect to all the competitors who pushed hard and made it to the finish through such a wide range of conditions and testing moments for both crew and boat. Sharing it with a best mate and taking the win made it incredibly special. Thanks to everyone who helped support such an awesome event.”
At the heart of it all, Doyle Sails remained a constant presence, not just as naming rights sponsor, but on the ground at every stopover. With boats and crews pushed to their limits, sails, rigs, and gear were under constant strain. Toby Scoones, Doyle Sails NZ Service & Sales Manager, travelled with the fleet, providing critical support and taking the stress out of repairs. He was kept busy, though notably not with many Doyle sails, reinforcing Doyle’s reputation for quality and reliability.
But beyond the results, this race is built on something deeper.
It’s in the crews pushing through overnight repairs to make the next start line. In the friendships forged across watch systems and shared miles. In the quiet satisfaction of joining the small, respected group who can say they’ve completed a Round North Island race.
And it’s in the volunteers, from race management to stopover hosts, who give their time and energy to make the event possible. Because in the end, it’s more than just a race. It’s an experience that stays with you long after the finish line.
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ABOUT DOYLE SAILS // Doyle Sails strives to deliver success through high-performance, high-quality, custom sails that continue to redefine the boundaries of sailmaking technology and innovation; whilst connecting sailors to inspire, support and encourage sailing.
Our obsession with sailing takes us to every corner of the world and onboard every yacht. We become part of teams, share in the adventures of friends and families, sharing our knowledge and experience with those with the same passion. Sailing is in our DNA, and we are the custodians of a legacy that has been supporting sailors for four decades and counting.