The first-ever Doyle Sails Cavalli Islands Race marked a major step forward for our BlueWater Programme, and we’re grateful to Doyle Sails for their support in launching this new offshore challenge. The 275 nm course delivered everything from light winds and glassy patches to constantly shifting pressure, making this inaugural edition a true test of patience and strategy for every team on the start line.
The top finishers were:
- First: Motorboat III (Damon Joliffe’s 2005 Thomson 1150)
Start: Fri 28 Nov, 10:00
Finish: Sun 30 Nov, 08:40:38
Elapsed time: 46 hours, 40 minutes, 38 seconds - Second: Equilibrium (Graham Matthews’ 2011 Botin Carkeek 55)
Start: Fri 28 Nov, 10:00
Finish: Sun 30 Nov, 08:46:08
Elapsed time: 46 hours, 46 minutes, 8 seconds - Third: Ocean’s Tribute (Guy Chester’s 1991 Crowther 40)
Start: Fri 28 Nov, 10:00
Finish: Sun 30 Nov, 08:55:37
Elapsed time: 46 hours, 55 minutes, 37 seconds - Fourth: Kick (Brendan Sands’ 1994 Elliott 1050)
Start: Fri 28 Nov, 10:00
Finish: Sun 30 Nov, 11:52:30
Elapsed time: 49 hours, 52 minutes, 30 seconds - Fifth: Whichway (Bruce Gault’s Davidson 52)
Start: Fri 28 Nov, 10:00
Finish: Sun 30 Nov, 14:05:49
Elapsed time: 52 hours, 5 minutes, 49 seconds
Final results here:
Line – https://rayc.co.nz/sail-wave/25_CavalliIslands_Results_Line.htm
PHRF – https://rayc.co.nz/sail-wave/25_CavalliIslands_Results_Fleet.htm
Division – https://rayc.co.nz/sail-wave/25_CavalliIslands_Results_Division.htm
A big thank you also goes to Boating New Zealand for their day-by-day coverage of the event, providing live updates and a play-by-play.
Follow how the race went here: https://www.boatingnz.co.nz/2025/11/live-doyle-sails-cavalli-islands-race-early-moves-as-the-fleet-settles-into-the-northerly/
Prizegiving for the inaugural Doyle Sails Cavalli Islands Race will take place this Thursday at 7pm in the Joyce Fisher Room. Whether you competed or simply want to come down and support the teams, everyone is welcome to join in celebrating this first edition.
Everyone who competed in this race, following on from the PIC Coastal Classic, will automatically be entered into our BlueWater Championship. More info here: https://rayc.co.nz/sailing/bluewater-championship/
