Racing the PIC Coastal Classic 2025 | SV Thistle Takes on New Zealand’s Biggest Yacht Race! (Part 1)

🏆 Sailing the PIC Coastal Classic 2025 | SV Thistle Takes on New Zealand’s Biggest Yacht Race! Welcome aboard SV Thistle, our 52ft New Zealand–designed and built ketch! In this special episode, we take a break from our NZ circumnavigation series to jump forward in time and race in the PIC Coastal Classic 2025 — New Zealand’s most iconic coastal yacht race from Auckland to Russell in the Bay of Islands. This year’s event brought howling winds (a blistering 8 knots! 😉), friendly rivalry, a few boat maintenance dramas, and plenty of laughs from our fun-loving crew. From pre-race prep and lift-out to unexpected hydraulic failures, spilled diesel, and our “brush of shame,” this episode has it all — real-life sailing chaos, competition, and adventure on the Hauraki Gulf. Join us as we: ⛵ Get SV Thistle race-ready for the 2025 Coastal Classic ⚙️ Repair gear failures with the help of our marina mates 💨 Battle light winds and tactical calls mid-race 🥐 Enjoy coffee, Behemoth beers, and full-throttle fun with the crew 🏁 (Almost) Cross the finish line after an epic night at sea! Whether you’re into sailing vlogs, New Zealand yacht racing, bluewater cruising, or liveaboard life, this episode captures the true spirit of Kiwi sailing — teamwork, laughter, and adventure on the ocean. 🔔 Subscribe & Join the Crew! Follow our journey as we sail around New Zealand and beyond aboard SV Thistle. 👉 Subscribe here and never miss an episode! 🌊 Chapters / Timestamps 0:00 – Welcome aboard SV Thistle 0:40 – Getting race-ready for the PIC Coastal Classic 2:30 – Lift-out & boat prep 4:20 – Practice race and unexpected hydraulic issues 7:00 – Race day: light winds & fierce competition 11:00 – Tactical decisions and rivalries 14:00 – Cooking breakfast under sail 17:00 – Wind drops & creative sailing techniques 20:00 – Sunset, beers, and race updates ⚓ Follow SV Thistle: 📘 Facebook – SV Thistle Sailing Adventures sailing vlog, coastal classic 2025, pic coastal classic, sv thistle, sailing new zealand, yacht race, liveaboard life, bluewater sailing, cruising NZ, sailboat life, sailing around new zealand, yacht vlog, ocean adventure, sailing race 2025, coastal sailing, auckland to russell race