Rise of the J/99s in the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race
by CYCA Media 18 Jul 18:53 NZST
26 July 2025
Lisa Darmanin and Jack Macartney to lead live commentary team for NSGCYR © CYCA
When the fleet of 63 yachts set off in the 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast (NSGCYR) on 26 July, there will be a race within a race taking place. Of the 14 Double Handed yachts entered in the 384 nautical mile race, one yacht design will be out in force - J/99s, of which six are entered in the Double Handed Division.
These are Balancing Act (Tony Craner and Rick Plain), Blue Planet (Chris O'Neill and Jason Keg), Jupiter (Ian Smith and John Cross), Rum Rebellion (Shane Connelly and Tony Sutton), The Gaffer (Rob Frayne and Richard Dumas) and Verite (Paul Beath and Stephen Prince).
NSGCYR Media chatted to four J/99 competitors - Rob Frayne, Ian Smith, Tony Craner and Shane Connelly.
Quietly confident on board The Gaffer
As the 2024 Cabbage Tree Island Race fleet departed Sydney Harbour, one mystery yacht sailing on Sydney Harbour sparked curiosity among commentators - The Gaffer wasn't on the entry list.
Newly launched and yet to complete a qualifying passage, co-skippers Rob Frayne and Richard Dumas were not competing but used the opportunity to gain offshore experience, shadowing the fleet.
Still, The Gaffer was the first J/99 to reach Cabbage Tree Island - an impressive result. The pair, who previously sailed together in the 75th Rolex Sydney Hobart on Frayne's Sydney 38 Mille Sabords, are now preparing for a full Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore season, including the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
"We're quietly confident," said Frayne. "The Noakes Sydney Gold Coast is a great opportunity to build on our experience in time for Hobart."
Jupiter spins into a busy season
Ian Smith's J/99 Jupiter was briefly up for sale earlier this year - but offshore racing proved too tempting to resist.
"I like offshore racing. It's extremely uncomfortable but when you get to the other end, it's so rewarding," Smith said.
Despite limited ocean racing experience before 2023, Smith has quickly made his mark, finishing third on Double Handed IRC in the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart with co-skipper Lincoln Dews.
For the 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast, Smith will race with John Cross, whose usual ride - Transcendence Rudy Project - is being repaired following dismasting in the last Hobart.
With multiple J/99s entered, Smith sees the race as a valuable one-design showdown. "We'll be watching each other like hawks," he said. "It'll be open slather, really."
Is Balancing Act the J/99 to beat?
After success in Queensland, Tony Craner is bringing his J/99 Balancing Act south for a Sydney challenge.
The yacht has dominated recent races, including back-to-back wins in the RQYS Brisbane to Keppel Yacht Race (Double Handed Division and Overall in 2024) and class victories in the Brisbane to Gladstone.
"There's a strong core of J/99s in Sydney - they lift the game," Craner said. "We're looking forward to lining up against them."
Craner praised the boat's versatility: "It's a good all-rounder - quick upwind, quick downhill. Very hard to beat."
Craner will race with Rick Plain in the Double Handed Division.
Rum Rebellion eyes off a podium finish
Shane Connelly's Rum Rebellion has been a mainstay in the Double Handed Division since its inception in the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart.
In 2023, Connelly and former co-skipper Andrew Downing placed third on Double Handed IRC and IRC Division 3 in the NSGCYR. Last year, alongside Tony Sutton, they finished just a mile behind two other J/99s after 384nm of racing.
"You sail 300 nautical miles and can still see each other - that's just silly," Connelly laughed.
Rum Rebellion finished fourth on Double Handed IRC and second on Corinthian PHS last year. This time, the team hopes to reduce tactical errors and make the podium.
"We always like to get on the podium," Connelly added.
The 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race will showcase tight competition in the Double Handed fleet, with the J/99s shaping up as one of the most exciting battles to watch.
CYCA's Season Opener
For the first time, the start of the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race will also mark the CYCA's inaugural Season Opener — a new event designed to launch the offshore sailing season in style.
Open to Members, guests and all sailing and sports enthusiasts, the day features a spectator boat experience aboard Eclipse with live race commentary, followed by an afterparty back at the Club with live music, food activations and a vibrant atmosphere to celebrate the start of the season.
Ticket information can be found here.