Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race - Pre-start overview
by CYCA Media 25 Jul 18:16 NZST
26 July 2025
An iconic view with an iconic yacht - Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race © CYCA | Andrea Francolini
The Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race (NSGCYR) has long been regarded as a cornerstone of any Australian offshore yachtie's calendar. Often characterised by light and variable conditions, this year's edition is looking to break the pattern and possibly set new records.
A fast-moving trough system along the New South Wales coast has created an unusual weather window for this time of year. A strong northerly breeze is forecast to build on Friday night and hold through the early stages of the race, potentially delivering a tough 12-hour upwind start for the fleet.
While it's still too early to pinpoint the arrival of the northerly front, one thing is clear, navigators will be working overtime to avoid the worst of the south-flowing current and windswell, while positioning themselves for the forecast (north) westerly breeze expected to blow through Sunday and Monday. Providing fast reaching conditions for the fleet.
Among the 61 yachts entered, are a mix of seasoned performers and fresh contenders, from Grand Prix Maxis chasing Line Honours to Corinthian crews vying for Overall Honours. The Double-Handed division also returns in force, with 14 pairs taking on the challenge.
The 384-nautical mile race to Main Beach, Gold Coast, marks the opening race of the Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore and it's shaping up to be a high-speed start. With the Bureau of Meteorology's latest models in play, this year's Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race promises to be anything but typical.
Read more about the weather.
The Start
The 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race starts at 1300hrs on 26 July, with the fleet setting off from Sydney Harbour, just off Point Piper, before exiting through the Heads and turning north along the coast. The 384-nautical mile course finishes off Main Beach on the Gold Coast, just north of Coolangatta.
Along the way, competitors will pass some of Australia's most iconic coastal landmarks, including Seal Rocks, Cape Byron, the country's easternmost point and the golden beaches of Coolangatta.
Watch the race start live as more than 60 teams take on the opening race of the 2025/26 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore. The livestream begins at 1245hrs and offers the best seat on land, hosted by Olympian and SailGP presenter Lisa Darmanin and two-time Rolex Sydney Hobart winner Jack Macartney.
The Biggest of the Fleet | Line Honours
The largest yacht in the fleet will be Grant Wharington's Wild Thing 100. With a new full-size rig, fresh sails and a longer bowsprit, the team is expected to set the pace offshore. Moneypenny returns to the Gold Coast race with a new owner and skipper, Robert Appleyard. While the boat is no stranger to the course, having won in 2022, they will be chasing results ahead of their season of the GCCM Gold Coast Mackay Yacht Race.
Read more about Moneypenny.
International Competitors
Three international entries will compete: Bacchanal from the United States, Antipodes from Hong Kong and V5 from New Zealand. Bacchanal, a JPK 11.80 owned and skippered by Ronald Epstein, was built by JPK Pacific in Nowra and launched in November 2024.
Joining the Bacchanal crew is Alex Nolan, fresh from his victory in the Rolex Sydney Hobart onboard Celestial V70. He has traded the 70-foot reaching giant for a smaller but capable and fast alternative and will continue in his role as navigator. Most of Bacchanal's regular crew won't be taking part in this race, as they are competing in the revitalised Admiral's Cup under the CYCA banner aboard Zen.
Women Skippers
Among the 61 competitors, are seven women Owners/Skippers.
They are on Currawong (Katherine Veel and Beth Higgs), First Light (Elizabeth Tucker), Min River (Jiang Lin), Mako (Emily Sellens), Mondo (Lisa Callaghan) and Supernova (Felicity Nelson).
Read more about Women Skippers.
Middle of the Fleet
More than half of the fleet falls within the 40 to 52-foot range. Among them is Minerva, a newly acquired Ker 40 owned by Edward Cox. Formerly campaigned in New Zealand as Icebreaker, this will be Cox's offshore debut on the reaching and running-optimised yacht.
A strong TP52 contingent of six is also set to charge north. Last year's Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore winner, Smuggler, will be aiming to start the season strong and continue their offshore success. The others include Denali, Frantic, Highly Sprung, Koa, and V5. The latter, fitted with a canting keel for additional righting moment, could well set the pace on a beam reach.
Read more about Minerva.
Double Handers
Fourteen Double-Handed crews will line up for the season-opening race, and with Australian frontrunner Mistral not competing, the field is wide open. One design to watch is the J/99, with six of the sleek racer-cruisers entered in the Double-Handed Division. Also returning is Min River, a JPK 10.30 and last year's runner-up, looking to go one better. With her beamier design and water ballast, she'll be one to watch in the predicted reaching conditions.
Read more about Double Handed Division.
Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race Start Weather Forecast
Forecast information from Bureau of Meteorology
Saturday 26 July | Sydney
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas: Byron Coast, Coffs Coast, Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast, Sydney Coast and Illawarra Coast
- Winds: Northeasterly 20 to 30 knots turning north to northwesterly 15 to 25
- knots during the morning and early afternoon.
- Seas: 2 to 3 metres. 1st Swell: Below 0.5 metres, tending northeasterly 1 to 1.5 metres during the morning. 2nd Swell: Southerly around 1 metre.
- Weather: Cloudy. 95% chance of showers
Sunday 27 July | Seal Rocks
- Winds: Northwesterly 20 to 30 knots turning westerly during the evening.
- Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres.
- Swell: Northeasterly 1 to 2 metres, decreasing to around 1
- metre during the morning.
- Weather: Partly cloudy. 60% chance of showers. The
- chance of a thunderstorm.
Follow the action live, track your favourite yachts and stay up to date with race insights, photos and video content via
www.goldcoast.cycaracing.com and CYCA's social channels.